Working internationally in an increasingly global economy, particularly as a manager, is different than it was just a few years ago. Many countries are now equipped to fill management positions internally. "Ex-pat" packages are few and far between. What does it really mean to work in a global marketplace? How easy is it to work abroad these days? What challenges do international workers face when returning home? This paper provides a summary of themes drawn from interviews, learning journal entries, reflections, and case examples collected in an international management cooperative program over the past 2 years. The stories reported here are those of graduate students preparing to work abroad, international managers working throughout the Pacific Rim region, and program alumni who have recently repatriated. Clear themes emerge from these stories about the career challenges and success factors impacting global careers in today's economy. (Author)