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.

Photo by Khush Sandhu from Pexels

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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.

The post CNBC Make It: I left the U.S. for Italy 20 years ago— the 4 important lessons I learned appeared first on Ciao Lulu!.

Demand for expats on the rise

While the pandemic brought almost all business travel to a standstill, research by AXA Global Healthcare found that HR decision makers are still predicting an increase in all types of future international assignments.  This is encouraging news for those who believe that the pandemic has killed their chance of an expat experience.

Boss up and change your life.

— Lizzo

Professionals confident about expat life abroad

Even in light of travel restrictions and other hurdles brought on by the pandemic, expats are confident that they will be able to continue their way of life.  In fact, Aetna International’s latest survey, states that 75% of expats are “very or fairly confident” to continue living the expat way of life.  The study goes on to state that in comparison to life at home, expats are feeling happier, safer and welcomed in their host countries. The survey also reveals that expats are experiencing improvements in their health and well-being, including eating healthier, drinking less alcohol and exercising more.

As someone living outside their home country, I can say that I agree with the findings from the Aetna survey.  And while it was challenging at the beginning of the pandemic, with a high level of uncertainty around the economy and job security, I feel confident that the global markets and the local Italian economy are turning the corner on the pandemic.

What you need to know about working abroad

Expected changes in expat assignments

While all types of expat assignments are increasing, shorter-term contracts are particularly on the rise. With the changing landscape brought on by the pandemic, virtual assignments are also gaining ground as HR and mobility experts assess how to incorporate online experiences with the overall expat package.  In fact, virtual assignments could be a good first step to introduce potential candidates to multicultural work environments.

Employee experience, especially among Millennials, is still front and center when it comes to recruitment. Look for expat and rotational experiences to get their share of the spotlight when it comes to communicating employee benefits.

Lastly, the pandemic has generated new complexities especially in the area of healthcare, which has never been more important than now.

The impact of COVID-19 on overseas assignments

COVID-19 documentation and travel restrictions

One of the more complicated aspects of your expat assignment, might be just getting there.  With the evolution of COVID-19 and the introduction of COVID-19 variants, many countries have restricted or altogether banned U.S. travelers.

Across the globe there is a mixed stance on the pandemic outlook for Americans.  

• Africa and Middle East: TripSavvy has country-by-country information in Travel to Africa and the Middle East.

• Asia: Condé Nast Traveler provides A Country-by-Country Guide to Asia’s Travel Restrictions.

• Central and South America: TripSavvy offers information for Travel to Central and South America.

• Europe: Forbes Travel To These European Countries Just Got Harder For Americans  provides a breakdown on the limitations across the old continent.

• North America: TripSavvy has country-by-country information for Travel to North America.

One thing holds true across all destinations, you should check the U.S. Embassy, Consulate or Diplomatic Mission of where you intend to travel to learn the latest requirements or restrictions.  You’ll also want to check the health department or ministry for the countries you are visiting.

Healthcare a deal breaker for international assignments

If healthcare isn’t a deal breaker when planning for your expat assignment then it should be.  Don’t just check the box.  Make sure you and your family are covered.  Next, find out what you need to do to activate your health coverage.  You don’t want to be figuring things out in the middle of a global pandemic.  Don’t let documentation or bureaucracy stand in the way of receiving healthcare services. 

I remember when I wanted to schedule my first medical visit.  It took months. I had to find a medico di base, general practitioner, and figure out how the system worked.  I should have done that as soon as I arrived.

The weight of the pandemic on your mental well-being

There is no question that the pandemic took its toll on people of all ages.  Nearly 50% of U.S. adults suffered symptoms of anxiety and depression. Just imagine what it was like for expats who had the added stress of being in a foreign country, far from family and friends. When discussing your healthcare package, be sure that you are covered both physically and mentally.    

Changes in expat spending

The pandemic has influenced how we spend our money.  Spend has shifted to consumer electronics to support working from home, food takeaway due to restaurant closures and subscriptions to streaming or premium television for more free time spent indoors.  This holds true for expat life as well. Regardless of where you are, working from home has most likely increased your electricity bill.  If you are going abroad, you will want to be ready for a hybrid workplace which includes time in the office and remote working.

It’s more than just the money, lifestyle matters

While salary is important and one of the main drivers for professionals who go abroad, lifestyle matters too.  The pandemic reinforced the importance of feeling safe and happy in our surroundings.  Many expats are eager to return to “normal” due to the benefit of a better and healthier lifestyle expat life delivers.

If you want insight on quality of expat life, check out InterNations’ Expat Insider survey.  The survey covers a number of areas including best places to work to cost of living. While I don’t agree with all the findings for Italy, the survey offers a wealth of information for those considering going overseas. 

I’m sure everyone of us remembers where we were prior to lockdown.  For me, my husband had shattered his right forearm and had just come home from the hospital when we went into complete lockdown. And while staying all day and all night at home was difficult at times, if the pandemic taught us anything, it was to respect those around us and to remind us that life is short and should be enjoyed.  Sometimes it feels like the pandemic will never end.  However, we need to appreciate what we have, even if it is not the same as pre-pandemic times. Live life as best you can. Lastly, if expat life is something you desire then don’t give up on it.

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