It's all down to preference and what kind of lifestyle they expect for themselves. Some will as you say spend a prolonged period of time in such places whereas others see it as a means to an end and simply want to get it over with and onto someplace more lucrative like the Middle East.
Then again 'employment' is the name of the game in the end so if someone is offering you 4 years is that really so bad? I know they don't pay the best but at least the low salary is offset somewhat by the lower cost of living. Then again all up and coming cities in Asia are becoming increasingly expensive by the day.
As a pilot many people should be aware that multi nationalised work environments are the norm and we need to be the ones who are eager to travel. That's part and parcel of becoming a pilot in the first place.
Hope that helps.