Moving abroad affects different people in different ways. As someone who has lived in five different countries, this writer can honestly say that upping sticks and heading overseas feels very natural indeed – something that everybody should try at least once in their life, if they have the opportunity. But it’s not the same for everyone, and the first time is rarely easy, no matter what your disposition may be.
We’ve been talking about moving abroad a lot on The Box Room this month (check out our expat moving tips and the ultimate apps list for London expats), so we thought it might be nice to chat to a few people who have plenty of experience as expats, to find out what they’d do differently if they were to do it all again.
Emi Wilks, artist
Emi lives just outside London, where she works as an artist. Something of a world traveller, she left her home in Japan aged 18 and has since lived in the USA, Thailand, Kenya and the UAE.
Being Asian, I remember worrying that I might seem a bit different to those around me. I was moving to San Diego, and of course I knew about the tumultuous history between American and Japan, so I was worried that they might react to me strangely. That might seem strange, but I even feel it here in the UK. Occasionally I see things about UKIP, and I wonder what people really think of Asian expats like me.
Somewhere at the back of my mind, I feel like I’m attached to Japan, even though I’m just me really. It’s like I feel that I’m some kind of ‘representative’, so maybe that’s what I’d talk to my younger self about. Maybe I’d tell her to try and drop that ‘representative’ mind frame. It’s not important. We’re all individuals.
I don’t think I’d do anything differently, really. I had a lot of fun in San Diego in those early days. Too much fun, perhaps, so maybe I’d tell the younger Emi to be a bit more careful with my money! Really, there are no regrets. This world is for sharing, and the more you move around the more you see that life is basically the same everywhere – we have the same basic needs, so I don’t think there’s any need to worry.
In practical terms, I think moving abroad is a great opportunity to get rid of some of your stuff. It’s like you’re being questioned: what do you actually need? What do you want to keep? It’s a real chance to feel a lot lighter!
Patty Cruz Fouchard, entrepreneur
Patty runs her own London-based professional organising service, Organised & Simple, and spends her free time running marathons. Originally from Guatemala, she has since lived in the US, Sweden and Spain.
I think that living in three different countries before I was even eight years old (my country of origin, Guatemala, and then the US and Sweden) made me quite adaptable and open minded.
I lived in the US again as an exchange student when I was 12, and I left Guatemala again when I was 24 to come and live in Europe. I have since lived in Oxford, Madrid and London – a total of 16 years in Europe, in all.
I would say that every time I have moved, it’s the cultural challenge that has worried me most: will I be able to understand the culture? Will it be easy to make friends? How about the subtleties of the language? I had become attuned to American English, and my biggest worry when moving to Oxford for my studies was whether or not I’d be able to follow the lessons in Oxford English!
If I could speak to my younger self I would say, ‘Just be yourself. People will accept you always for who you are and never doubt your positive attitude, the fact that you work hard and believe the best will definitely work out for you. It’s a great asset to have. Continue planning and doing your checklists, and you have no idea how this will work to your advantage.’
If I was moving again, I’d move with less stuff! When I came to the UK at 24, I even travelled with wax and super-sized toiletries as I was so scared of the exchange rate and leading a student life in one of the most expensive countries in the world. I’d tell my younger self that getting local furniture and appliances will usually work out best budget-wise, even if only bit by bit. Getting a feel of the new place takes time, so it makes sense.
Christy Osborne, blogger
Founder of the popular blog, American Girl in Chelsea, Christy’s mission is to provide a useful resource to ‘fabulous and chic expats’. If you’re interested in becoming an expat with style, few people can advise you better!
When I first moved to London, I was definitely nervous about not being able to see my best friends and family (most of whom are in Los Angeles) on a daily basis. Seven years later, I miss them but I’ve basically created a family here in London.
If I could speak to 2008 Christy, I would tell her not to worry – that being an ex-pat means that you have common ground with other people who have just moved to London, and that it will be super easy to make friends. I would also tell her that the sun does come out every once and a while.
If I was moving abroad again I probably would have everything sent over the first time. We moved all of our belongings, including furniture, in stages. One plane, one boat, another boat a year later. Then, by the time it got here, we realised we didn’t want any of it anymore. If you’re moving abroad I would say take everything – or nothing and start fresh.
Nuno Dias, project manager
Having moved to London from Portugal six years ago, Nuno Dias is so settled in North London that he feels he may be the eternal expat. However, arriving in a city so much larger than his hometown came with problems of its own.
A lot of other expats are surprised by the size of London. As soon as you go to Gumtree or Rightmove, there are so many offers around so many areas, it’s hard to know where to begin. Looking back, I realise now that living close to friends is more important than living close to your job. Job locations change, but people tend to stay in the same areas, and the amount of time and energy it can take to get around London can be sapping. Considering how closely you live to your friends is important.
If I were doing it again, I’d begin by finding someone that I could stay with for the first two weeks while I was house-hunting. As a plan B, I’d look for a hostel that allows people to stay for that length of time. Maybe I’d try AirBnB, which didn’t exist in London when I came here. Once I found a house, I’d start on the job hunt, taking a temporary job first rather than a dream job – London eats money fast!
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Great stories. I am so glad that I found your blog. Finding so interesting life experience is not an easy job. I love Christy Osborne`s story. I live in London, too. Best regards!