Should I keep a "Plan B" or "Plan C" in my back pocket?

Should I keep a "Plan B" in my back pocket?

Yes! 

In the developed Western world, we tend to think of things like contacts as being written in "stone" - but in many countries, contracts can be quite "flexible".

That can mean that your employer may not do the things they said they would do.  You may not like that.  It may be time to move on.

Expatriate Plan B and Plan C

When you do your research about countries and jobs, keep a second and third choice in your mind, just in case things don't work out for Plan A.  Keep these in the back of your mind, keep your resume up to date, and fish to see what is out there from time to time.  With a decent Plan B and Plan C you won't have to worry about a surprise. 

There is also the possibility that you just won't like the job you took, or the country you moved to, or some other unforeseen problem may sour you on the whole deal.

Your First Country - Your First Job

Keep open the possibility of going back home.  Don't burn your bridges to anywhere, ever.  You just never know when you might need to head back where you were last year.  I've never had to back track, but I do try to keep my options open.  I try to leave every employer on good terms, with them ready for my return.  I try to maintain and network with people from previous employment.  And, it all works both ways - you might need to help a friend come to where you are some day.

You may never need your Plan B

Just be cautious, the expatriate world is just a little less stable than other types of employment.  I've never needed my Plan B or C, but they are there, just in case.  It helps me sleep at night.

My first year in Saudi Arabia was quite a difficult adjustment for me.  Though I didn't bail out, it was nice to have my options already mapped out - I knew exactly what I would do - where I would go.  It took a lot pressure off the situation and allowed me to adapt and adjust - and succeed.