INTERVIEW WITH AN EXPAT: GET TIPS AND ADVICE FROM A BRAZILIAN EXPAT LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES

Magali N. is an Expat who relocated to the United States from Brazil to pursue a new job. Along with her husband and stepdaughter, Magali settled into New Jersey.  Learn what Magali’s biggest challenge was in moving to the United States, and her advice for future Expats moving to the U.S.

expat

MAGALI N.

Q. DID YOU RELOCATE WITH FAMILY? CHILDREN? HOW ARE THEY ADJUSTING TO RELOCATING? WHAT DO THEY ENJOY MOST ABOUT THEIR NEW COUNTRY?

A. Yes, with my family. My husband, step daughter and myself. The first three months was difficult, due to so many papers and bureaucracy. The US is [a] very democratic country.

Q. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST FEW MONTHS IN YOUR NEW LOCATION? ANY CHALLENGES? IF SO, HOW DID YOU RESOLVE THEM?

A. The big challange for me was my social security number. That took at least 2 months, without this number, you are nothing here. It made me feel really bad.

Q. NOW THAT YOU ARE SETTLING IN, IS THERE A BIG CHANGE IN CULTURE? DID YOU FIND ANY HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR EXPATS?

A. The culture is different. It is not easy to make friends in this country. They are polite and it is sufficient from them. It is interesting that day by day life is getting easier and you learn how to survive here and how american people live.

Q. ARE THERE ANY TIPS YOU WOULD GIVE TO A FRIEND OR FELLOW EXPAT THAT YOU WISH SOMEONE SHARED WITH YOU BEFORE YOU BEGAN YOUR FOREIGN ASSIGNMENT/RELOCATION?

A. All expats have the same problem. Listen to other colleagues and think that they had the same problem that you have and try to make [things simple] and have time with family and friends. It will be helpful in order to manage the stressful moment.

TipsForLivingInTheUS

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