I agree...
It has become an absolute necessity they one must leave in order to support ones family (wife/girlfriend/kids) .... It need not be so rotten to the core for pay especially!!
Youre also right in saying that 1000 hrs or 2 yrs LHS in FR is not a bad idea if no wife/kids/another business interests.
The final element is having the fearlessness and courage to make that move to the Middle East where the "harvest is rich but the labourers are few" whether you have significant others or not.