Tune in to the podcast, where I discuss living and working abroad.

Below is a snapshot of what you’ll hear in my podcast with ACA.

The road to Milan

My fascination with life beyond the States began in high school, when I toured Scandinavia as a member of a regional soccer team. The experience sparked my curiosity about different cultures. Later, studying abroad in Florence and Milan deepened my appreciation for Italy and ultimately led me to pursue a career in international business, setting me on my expat journey.

While completing my MBA in the U.S.A. and Italy, I interned with Pirelli in Milan. Two years later, Pirelli offered me a job at their headquarters in Italy.

Upon my return to Milan, I encountered my first set of hurdles. Navigating Italy’s bureaucracy to obtain a work permit was an early challenge. Determination and adaptability made the process less painful.

Four lessons I learned on my expat journey

• Going with the flow – Italy can test your patience. Long waits at government offices, frequent transportation strikes, and bureaucratic hurdles taught me to stop sweating the small stuff and focus on adapting instead of resisting.

• The power of determination – Five years into my expat life, Pirelli sold my business unit, and I found myself without a job. Networking and persistence helped me secure a new role with a U.S. multinational in Italy, proving that resilience is a key trait to thriving in a foreign job market.

• Embracing cultural differences – Corporate culture in Italy differs from that in the U.S.A. One of my biggest adjustments was learning the importance of face time with colleagues. Some of my best career insights came from informal conversations over coffee, lunch, and social events, rather than being glued to my desk.

• Understanding hidden costs – I underestimated taxes and some other common expenses. For example, paying roughly 700 euros for my driver’s license caught me off guard. Later, I learned how to better manage my budget and anticipate expenses, resulting in fewer surprises.

The reality of living abroad

The fantasy of moving abroad often glosses over the complexities. An expat journey presents challenges such as feeling lonely, adapting to a new way of life that may not make sense at first, being labeled a foreigner, and dealing with skeptics. Despite that, creating a new life from scratch fosters resilience, resourcefulness, and cultural openness.

Advice for aspiring expats

Thinking of relocating? Do your research. Evaluate the job offer—salary, relocation assistance, health benefits, and long-term career impact. Understand the cost of living, essential documents needed, tax implications, and logistics. If you have a family, also factor in education.

For women seeking expat roles, assertiveness is crucial. Take initiative and communicate your interest in international assignments within your company. Opportunities can arise through company expansions, acquisitions, or rotational programs.

Reflections and final thoughts

Milan’s expat community is diverse—students, business professionals, artists, designers, and entrepreneurs make up the American community here. Milan is more than just a “working city.” It has beautifully manicured, hidden courtyards, notable art, rich culture, and opportunities to meet people from all over Italy and the world.

If I could advise my younger self, I’d say, “always step outside your comfort zone and take advantage of every opportunity–whether staying put, moving to another country, or returning home.”

My expat journey has enriched my life in ways I never expected. I received career opportunities across EMEA. Have friendships with people from all over the world. Lastly, I have experienced a deep cultural immersion that is not possible through travel alone. If you’re offered an opportunity to take an expat assignment, take it! It could be the most transformative experience of your life.

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When I landed in Italy 20 years ago, I was both excited and scared. I experienced mixed emotions. My thoughts ranged from this being a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to what had I gotten myself into and everything in between. Was this the right move in my mid-30s? What if I fail or can’t hack it? Could I make it overseas without a safety net? These are just a few thoughts that raced through my mind until I got on the plane. Having doubts is normal. That’s when you must tell yourself that nothing significant happens in your comfort zone. I reminded myself that I wanted to live and work abroad. I had studied for it and made the preparations to go, so why not now?

A year from now, you will wish you had started today. — Karen Lamb

Spending time abroad can be a life-changing experience. Here’s how you can benefit and what you can expect from your time away from home.

Take a timeout from the political chaos in the States.

Has the outcome of the election got you down? Even though the future appears bleak, this is a perfect time to escape the stress and uncertainty of the Trump Administration. Depending on your chosen place, you could be looking at everything from a more welcoming and stable government to a lower cost of living, universal healthcare, and, of course, cheaper eggs! If you still believe in it, science has proven that extended exposure to political divisiveness negatively affects your well-being. Psychology Today explains how prolonged divisiveness fuels burnout.

I’m not one for running away from my problems. However, putting some distance between you and the 24-hour news cycle will do wonders for your mental well-being, even if it’s only temporary.

Lastly, you can still participate in the resistance from abroad by joining online movements like BuildTheResistance.org, donating money, participating in virtual protests and phone campaigns, and sharing news and information on social media.

When you go abroad, leave your comfort zone behind.

Every day, you will be put to the test. You’ll have many new experiences to conquer, from minor everyday nuisances to far more complex issues. This can include everything from ordering food, understanding the metro system, meeting new people, asking for help to read the 15-line items on your pay stub, going on vacation by yourself, renting an apartment, filing local taxes, to buying a home – all in a foreign language. A dose of vulnerability can help, along with resilience and the attitude to get up and try again.

Do one thing every day that scares you. — Eleanor Roosevelt

Access learning you won’t get in the classroom.

When you go abroad, you will likely take a language class or two where you will get the basics. There are language apps to support your learning along the way as well. I encourage you to take classes and try the available tech, but the real test will come when you wake up and step outside. I call it street learning. Start the morning at a café or coffee bar. Ordering and having coffee at the corner bar will be helpful in assimilating into your new home. Not only to observe how the locals do it but also to get a sense of what people are talking about and what’s on their minds. You can extend street learning to food and clothing shopping, dining out, and the office.

Experience a new culture firsthand when you live and work abroad.

In Italy, for example, there are more than 230 festivals and events every year related to historical events, food & wine, and local traditions.

Here are just a handful of events that I have experienced: the Epiphany, Jan 6, where the Befana (witch) leaves candy and sweets in the stockings of children; Venice’s Carnevale, the farewell party leading up to Lent, Feb 14-Mar 4; Vinitaly wine festival in Verona, Apr 6-9; The Infiorata di Noto, the Baroque Flower Festival, in Noto, Sicily, May 16-20; the Sagra del Limone, a festival dedicated to lemons, in Monterosso, Cinque Terre, May 17; The Festa della Repubblica, the birthday of the Italian Republic, Jun 2; and The Festa del Redentore which takes place in Venice and celebrates the end of the plague, Jul 19-20. When you live and work abroad, events and holidays can be great fun and provide an opportunity to learn more about a new culture.

Great people do things before they’re ready. They do things before they know they can do it. Doing what you’re afraid of, getting out of your comfort zone, taking risk like that – that is what life is. You might be really good. You might find out something about yourself that’s really special and if you’re not good, who cares? You tried something. Now you know something about yourself. — Amy Poehler

While overseas, open yourself up to new career opportunities.

After a few years of work experience abroad, I built up a resume that opened doors. I was exposed to opportunities that would never have been available to me in the States. A combination of experience and an extended network helped me advance my career and establish myself as an international marketing professional at home and overseas. Thanks to my success in Italy, I have been recruited and interviewed for jobs throughout EMEA.

Alternatively, being abroad can spark entrepreneurial pursuits. Many people I know have leveraged their experiences to start their own businesses in consulting, travel services, food and wine, and other opportunities related to their home overseas.

While a move of any type can be stressful, if you’ve done your research, then why not now? Today, there are more ways to go abroad than ever before. You can study, teach, volunteer, go with your current employer, get recruited internationally, or go on a digital nomad visa. You can do it yourself, or there are companies to help you find the right place and support you on your move.

An experience overseas will expand your horizons and open doors to a new you.

Photo by Lina Kivaka from Pexels

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Prior to the move, I had earned my MBA from the University of South Carolina. During my studies, I did an exchange program with Bocconi University’s business school and had an internship with Pirelli, the tire and telecoms equipment manufacturer. I loved it.

After I graduated, the company made me an offer to head up marketing and communications for its telecoms business, and I jumped at the chance to return to Italy.

I was on my own and only knew a few people from my internship. But I didn’t feel nervous, just excited at this new opportunity. I’ve been in Milan ever since.

If you want to know what happened after I left the U.S., read the article on CNBC Make It.

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I have wanted to walk the el Camino de Santiago for some time now and finally decided to do it. I am not an expert on the Camino as I have just completed a part of the French route, but here is what I learned from my first experience.

I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads. Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it. – Rosalia de Castro (Galician poet & novelist)

1. There is an overwhelmingly positive vibe on the Camino. 

No matter what your reason is for walking the el Camino de Santiago – recovering from a loss, confronting a health problem, embarking on a spiritual journey, disconnecting from everyday life, desiring a change of scenery, or challenging oneself physically by walking from one country to another, there is a positive energy in the air that is contagious. The people you meet go out of their way to be friendly and supportive, offering anecdotes or words of wisdom to ponder throughout your journey. No matter the circumstances, no one complains about sore feet, the unexpected and frequent rain showers, or the several kilometers to the next bar and bathroom. 

2. No one cares about what you do on the Camino.

Your job title means nothing on the el Camino de Santiago. Your backpack doesn’t have a written label like retiree, CEO, manager, caregiver, student, teacher, etc.; these mean nothing on the Camino. You’ll find that most pilgrims are curious and will greet one another with ¡Buen Camino! They want to know who you are and where you are from. Pilgrims also want to know where you started your Camino and why you’re walking. Sure, conversations might get into what you do for a living, but this does not define you on the Camino. On the Camino, there’s a level of openness and acceptance unmatched elsewhere. 

3. There is an unwritten rule to respect all walkers. 

No one bad-mouths another pilgrim. On the el Camino de Santiago, you can walk alone in silence or quietly chat with new acquaintances. Furthermore, no one is judging your gear or the brand of your hiking boots. Lastly, you are not too different, old, or young to be on the Camino. Everyone is equal. 

4. Sharing and collaborating is typical behavior on the Camino.

Walking alongside a stranger for long stretches of the Camino is quite common. When invited, pilgrims are eager to share their experiences. Therefore, it’s common to see strangers share lunch, take photos together, offer a blister kit to someone needing foot care, or help repair a bike tire for those doing the Camino by bicycle. 

5. Everyone is working toward the same goal.

No matter your route or how long it takes you, everyone shares the same goal on the Camino – getting to Santiago de Compostela. For this reason, those walking the Camino are willing to help and encourage strangers in their journey. You feel part of something bigger than just you. The first stop for many pilgrims once they reach Santiago de Compostela is Obradoiro Square. Here you will see masses of pilgrims filter into the square to celebrate their arrival – strangers hugging strangers, groups of people singing and dancing, or individuals just sitting in the square taking it all in. There are no barriers or fear of engaging with other pilgrims. Everyone is celebrating their achievement and that of all the others who have made it to the square that day. 

For me, the el Camino de Santiago in Spain was a journey of self-reflection and renewal. It also taught me the importance of tolerance, acceptance, and non-judgmental behavior. Most importantly, the Camino leaves you with the challenge to apply what you learned on your journey to your everyday life.

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Starting over in a foreign place can be daunting. If you are making your home abroad, even temporarily, you’ll need to embrace the unknown if you are going to succeed.

Before you go abroad, take care of the ESSENTIALS.

Once you make your decision to live and work abroad, be sure you take care of important business.  Work permits and IDs are probably the two most important things when it comes to a long-term stay and integrating in a foreign country.  Work permits and IDs tend to go hand in hand.  You usually can’t get one without the other.

Your employer should act as your sponsor and take care of the necessary applications and paperwork for your work permit.  You’ll want to monitor this process closely.  To do this, be sure to understand how the process works and know all the deadlines.  I can’t stress how important this is.  In most places, you won’t be able to do much without a work or residence permit.  Once you have the work permit, getting an ID and any necessary tax IDs will follow, usually with more paperwork.

So why are these documents so important?  Well, if you want to get paid and open a bank account, you will need documents such as a work/residence permit, and personal and tax IDs.

It is important that you get in writing that your employer will take care of your essential documents – permit and IDs or whatever they may be for the country where you’ll be living.  You’ll also want your employer to compensate you for any processing delays that may result in delays in getting paid.

Check in on any investments you have to understand if you need to take any actions prior to your departure.

If you are going abroad with your family, be sure to plan for school.  International schools will be costly.  Be sure you know who is paying – you or the company.  Lastly, your spouse will need the same documents you need to work locally.  If they don’t get them, he or she may need to pursue a more entrepreneurial endeavor while you are abroad.

Home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling.

— Cecelia Ahern

You’ve decided, you’re making your home abroad.

Step 1: don’t freak out.

Even if you are going for a fixed period of time, your initial reaction might be the following. What the fu**k did I do? If you take a deep breath and think back, I’m sure you can recall a time when you moved before – during college, the first time out on your own or when you started a family.  I’ve moved many times and sometimes it can be overwhelming. 

Leaving the comforts of home behind is hard.  Some of my experiences have included moving to Miami, and, with bags still packed, having to prepare for a serious hurricane or arriving in Italy only to learn that I still needed to be admitted into a yearly quota system to get my work permit and all other essential documents.  As a former Type A personality, I had to learn to roll with it and not sweat the small things. (The book series Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff really helped!)

The opportunity of living and working abroad can be life changing, so don’t let your fear of starting over stand in the way.

You’ve arrived abroad, now what?

Step 2: get settled.

If you’ve been moved abroad for work, your company may have found a place for you or is putting you up in temporary housing. If you find yourself in the latter position, you’ll need to find a place to live. Where you live is important if you want a life outside of work.  Don’t leave this decision up to fate or some mobility manager who might only be thinking of finding you a place close to the office. This was my experience.  While the relocation team assigned to me was well-intentioned, they kept showing me apartments close to the office. This was great for my commute but not ideal for anything else.  I eventually did my own search and found the perfect location for me. 

Granted, the commute was longer, but more importantly I didn’t have to sacrifice what I like to do.  I’m a runner so I needed to be able to run.  I also wanted a place that when I stepped outside, I could easily reach public transportation, and be in walking distance of a food market, the city center, restaurants, nightlife, and entertainment like the cinema.  Above all, I wanted an apartment that was located in a part of the city that was safe.

Once I knew I would be living and working abroad, I spent quite a bit a time researching where I would live. Prior to arriving in Milan, I had some ideas about where I wanted to live. I validated those ideas by speaking with colleagues and other expats living in Milan. 

Don’t let the fact that you are on a work assignment make you feel that it has to be all work and no play.

Outside of finding a place to live and furnishing it, you’ll need to know how you will manage essential services such as your utilities (electricity and/or gas), and any other services such as internet, premium television, cell phone, etc.

Also, understanding your healthcare will be very important. If the pandemic taught us anything it was how important it is to have health coverage.  I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, know how your healthcare works before you need it.  You’ll also want to make a list of emergency numbers for the local consulate, fire department, police, and emergency medical care.  Americans will want to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  This allows the U.S. Embassy to send you important updates and to contact you in the event of an emergency or civil unrest.

Americans who are living and working abroad also need to file taxes back home and to understand the local tax system and their commitment in their host country.  Doing your taxes could get complicated.  Check in with your company to understand what support is provided.  Like me, you’ll probably have an accountant at home and abroad.

Lastly, know how you are going to get to work.  Public transport might be ok in the beginning.  Though, beware of the occasional transportation strikes.  If you want your own wheels, you may find yourself going back to driving school, which is what I had to do.  In Italy, I couldn’t transfer my driver’s license so I had to re-do driver’s ed with a bunch of 18-year-old Italian teens. 

You’re doing it, living and working abroad.

Step 3: check out your surroundings.

By now, you have settled in and are feeling comfortable in your new home.  First things firsts, take care of business – be sure you know how to get to your consulate, the closest hospital, a supermarket, pharmacy, work, the bank, etc. Once you get the essentials down of living and working abroad, go out and explore your neighborhood. Take a walk and check out local cafés, sites, art exhibitions, festivals, and major events. Take advantage of what’s going on around town to get to know your neighborhood.

Step 4: make friends.

Go out, and meet people and make friends.  There are so many ways to make new friends, start with colleagues, associations, alumni in the area, volunteering, joining a local gym or sports club.  Put yourself out there and see what clicks for you.

Step 5: be a local.

So, now you’ve mastered living and working abroad. You have a network of friends and you are felling at home. You’ll want to take advantage of your time abroad to travel and to learn as much as you can about your new home. Learn the language, watch local news and read the newspaper.  Learning the language will help you fit in and really get to know the culture. There are so many ways to learn a new language – in the classroom, online, through languages exchanges, etc.  Choose the method that works best for you. 

You might want to get that driver’s license, or you may like your host country so much that you decide to buy property or even look into citizenship. You could start a business abroad.  The opportunities are endless.

Bonus step: don’t think, just do it!

While the thought of living and working abroad may seem like a far-off dream, it is possible.  Step by step, you can remake your home anywhere with the right amount of patience, flexibility, perseverance, and openness to new experiences.  Even if it is a temporary move, living in a new location can open doors to new experiences that you never imagined before. 

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