the global lifestyle: advice for expats

The Global Lifestyle: How to Live a Life Less Ordinary

Introduction

Reasons to Travel

● Global perspective● Education● Build an international network● Study a new language● Visit the places you read about in books and

see in movies● Live a less ordinary lifestyle

Planning Ahead

Checklist

● How to save money (couch-surfing, home-stays, etc.)● Learn about documents visa, reciprocity fees● Plan a route, but leave room for serendipity● Explore the different options for traveling between multiple countries● Study the language, history and culture of the countries you plan to visit● Use Social Media to meet people from different cultures● Join online groups of expats● Learn about interesting festivals at different times of the year. These do not

always take place during high season● Explore volunteer possibilities● Keep track of the currency exchange rates●

Cultural Communication

Importance of Communication Skills

● If you can't communicate, you will feel isolated and lonely in your new environment● In case of a medical emergency, you will have trouble expressing what you need● You might accidentally say something that is offensive to the culture● Different gestures and non-verbal cues mean different things in different countries● Organize a language exchange group● Participate in local activities, and don't spend all your time hanging out with expats and other

English speaking people● Watch local television shows to learn the common colloquialisms● Show a willingness to learn. Patronize smaller, family run stores, and learn the local

translation for “how do you say this in (local language). Point to the item in question write down the translation. Most people really love to help.

Sensitive Subjects

Be Careful When You Talk About

● Soccer in South America● Baseball, especially in Boston MA● Prominent political figures (feel out the person's

ideas on the subject)● If come from the USA, do not refer to yourself as

“American,” especially in South and Central America and Canada. They are also “Americans.” US citizen is your best answer, unless you are a citizen of the world.

The Digital Nomadic Lifestyle

Location Independence: Make Money While Traveling

● Writing● Photography● Web Design● Social Media Management● Tour Guide● Consultant● Graphic Design● Language Tutor● Traveling Nurse

Tourist or Traveler

Two Different Perspectives● Tourist holidays end as soon as they return home● A traveler's journey has a profound effect on the rest of his or her life● Tourists visit places so that they can check them off their bucket list● Travelers choose to “be” in a specific destination● Tourists want predictability● Travelers like surprises● Tourists impose their cultural values● Travelers learn new values● Tourists stuff their suitcases and come back with nothing, except for

what they buy in the duty free shops● Travelers pack light, and come back with many things that you would

never find in a duty free shop● Tourists diligently follow their maps● Travelers take the road less traveled, and that makes all the difference

The Conscious Traveler

Follow Your Instincts: Not Your Itinerary

● Avoid, “If it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium” syndrome

● Leave room for serendipity● If you are so exhausted from daily travel to

different towns and countries, you will be too tired to enjoy the experience

● By the time you return home, you won't know which place was which

The Expat Experience

So You Decided to Stay

● Learn the rules about visas and residency● Seek out local brands, instead of imported brands from your

home country● Accept and respect local customs● Get to know fellow expats, but do not spend all your time

with them● For heaven's sake, do not move into a “gated community”● If you start a business, build one that complements, not

condescends to the local culture

The Traveling Volunteer

Volunteer Options

● Flying Doctors● The Peace Corps● Habitat for Humanity● Karumba● World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)● Kibbutz Volunteers● Help Exchange (helpx)● Cross Cultural Solutions● Discuss what it takes to be an international volunteer● Add More Organizations

Modes of Travel

Transportation Shapes the Experience

● Ferry Travel: Organic, dates back to Odysseus and the archetype of the voyage

● Train Travel: Best for starting conversations with others

● Bus Travel: Best for getting to remote places● Car Rentals: The most expensive, but allows

for greater independence● Bicycle Tours: Best for the athletically inclined

Saving and Sharing

How to Sustain Your Travel Memories

● Blogging● Social Media: Post Updates ● Gadgets● Slide Shows: TripWow or Stupeflix● Send yourself a daily postcard with details of your day● Fill a shadow box with meaningful items● Old Fashioned Journal● Add people you met while traveling to your social media networks● Keep in touch through Skype● Get involved in causes you learned about during your travels● Incorporate new values into your lifestyle at home