Kentzar K. is an Expat from the Philippines who moved to New York in the spring of 2014. Kentzar came to the United States alone at first, and his family joined him a few months later. He shares his advice for other Expats moving to the U.S., and tells us what he would do differently if relocating again.
Kentzar K.
Q. DID YOU RELOCATE WITH FAMILY? CHILDREN? HOW ARE THEY ADJUSTING TO RELOCATING? WHAT DO THEY ENJOY MOST ABOUT THEIR NEW COUNTRY?
A. Yes I came here first, then after a couple of months they followed. My eldest daughter easily adapted [to] the new environment and she likes going to the school. We went to the zoo a couple of times and they enjoy it, including us. Its hard to move around if you don’t have your own car and it’s hard to get a new car if you are new.
Q. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST FEW MONTHS IN YOUR NEW LOCATION? ANY CHALLENGES? IF SO, HOW DID YOU RESOLVE THEM?
A. Our company help us adjusting to our new environment. Reading and [getting familiar] with our new environment really help us a lot.
Q. NOW THAT YOU ARE SETTLING IN, IS THERE A BIG CHANGE IN CULTURE? DID YOU FIND ANY HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR EXPATS?
A. Yes, but since I’ve been away from my country most of the time I adjusted, and IAS really help us in adjusting to our new environment.
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. They should make sure they have car to use before moving in to a new country and IAS really helps a lot, especially when you are involved in training.
