My Interview with Kristie... The Last Words

QUESTION NO. 11. Anything else you want to add or share about expat life or culture shock? Please share anything you think would be helpful to expats in general or expats living where you are now.

Moving to an entirely new place or home is a life-changing decision that one has to take with total precaution and consideration.

No one will prepare you for the changes that you will about to experience and the challenges that you are going to face. Adjustment period will be long if not constant but opportunities are endless.

Things may not always be favorable but take them as a learning experience. And most importantly, take things to the next level every time you reach your goal.

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There you go! I guess that's all I have to say. And this is the last of the "My Interview with Kristie" sequel.

I would like to thank you all for this great opportunity to share my experiences and colorful reflections of my new life as an expat... a life that I am living now away from my homeland... from the people I love... and from the culture I was born with.

My Interview with Kristie... The Restless Traveler

QUESTION NO. 10. Where do you think you'll go next?

I am a traveler. At least I believe so that is why I am so sure that once the travel bug bites me again... there is nothing else for me to do but to pack my luggage and take off.

I have been to different countries [with my BFFs] before I finally settled here in Maine.

I want to see the world and given a chance I will not pass on it.

I want to see Europe and the mysterious Asian countries that I used to teach my students from books. And perhaps visit again those places I've already been to just to relive the good memories I had there.

And after I get tired of traveling I will surely go back home for a short visit to my home country to be with family and reconnect with friends every now and then.

Or maybe buy a farm and build my dream vacation/retirement home there and just come back here in Maine after the long winter is over.

My Interview with Kristie... Practical Tips

QUESTION NO. 9. Any practical tips for the new expats out there?

Moving or migrating is a big decision one has to make. It is like going to war. You need to be prepared and ready... emotionally, physically and perhaps spiritually to survive the challenges awaiting you.


My practical tips are very common and simple. I know a lot of people already know them or simply put... they already know what to do once they are faced with the same predicament. I believe that human being has a natural instinct to adapt to any life situation for survival. But still everything is easier said than done.



Based on my personal experience... these 5 things saved me from losing my sanity during the first few months in my new home. And for this reason alone, I know it is worth sharing. So here goes;

1. Pack a great amount of common sense and you will never go wrong.

2. Be prepared and don't whine if things won't happen the way you dreamt it.

3. Expect the unexpected so that you will not get disappointed.

4. Don't leave behind your values, faith and personal conviction because
they will come handy in those instances when you are left with no options.

5. And more importantly, grow where you are planted.

Being an Expat is like you are being uprooted from the soil where you are planted. But being so is not entirely a negative thing. Some plants grow beautifully when they are re-planted or re-potted... you know what I mean. Take advantage of the things offered to you in your new home and look for the opportunity to learn and to adapt and things will fall perfectly into places.



And if things did not go the way you expected it to be... find ways to move on... or move out... or move in. It's your choice.

My Interview with Kristie... The Culture Shock

QUESTION NO. 8. Did you experience culture shock when you moved? What was that like? How did you overcome it?

Culture shock and adjustment are two basic components inevitable to migration. They are considered as packaged deal. The only difference between the two is how the person deal with them.

In my case, I am glad that modern technology was able to bridge communication gap among people geographically wise. It helps me a lot to stay in contact with my family back home through regular chat online and get updates from friends every chance we get.

The first couple of months away from home and from the people I know all my life and being with strangers and the new family I hardly know made adjustment tough but manageable. Culture shock on the other hand is limited to the cultural aspects of my new home.