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

The post Live and work abroad: 5 reasons to encourage you to go now. appeared first on Ciao Lulu!.

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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I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.

— Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer Abroad

If you want to get the most out of your travel experience, avoid becoming the stereotype of the “ugly” tourist. Try to fit in as a local.

The unprepared business traveller thinks business is the same everywhere.

If you are traveling for work, get the basics down on where you are going.  When meeting business colleagues or customers, make a good impression by knowing local business etiquette such as how to greet and dress for success. Body language will also play a big part in making a good first impression. Be sure to understand what is acceptable. InterNations is a great resource to start your research on business etiquette. The article, Business Etiquette Blunders from around the World shares first-hand experiences from expats around the globe.  Also, CT Business Travel’s business etiquette infographic provides helpful information to get you started on the right foot.

Observe, listen and learn.  From the subject of small talk to who leads a meeting and makes decisions will help you understand office dynamics.  Avoid going in blind and making a brutta figura and being labeled the “ugly” business traveller.

The “ugly” tourist acts like he is at home.

Respect the rules, know the culture. Everything from putting your feet up on a train seat, to how you address a sales clerk in a shop, to following COVID-19 protocols, know how to behave.  Don’t draw attention to yourself by screaming and acting like an out-of-place fool. This includes being a loud drunk in a public square, which will undoubtedly make you the “ugly” tourist. Everyday things like tipping, eating lunch at your desk, to actually knowing what a bidet is used for might seem odd for one person but completely natural to another.  Read Insider’s 23 things that are considered ‘normal’ in the US but that the rest of the world finds weird to see how we Americans seem strange to the rest of the world.

The “ugly” tourist is always making comparisons.

This is how we do it, and it’s just better our way. Turning your nose up at food or customs that vary from yours will not get you far.  Leave your superiority complex at home or you will certainly be labeled the “ugly” tourist.  Constantly making comparisons on everything from what you eat for breakfast to how business is conducted, is a big mistake.  Go down this path and you will not make many friends nor will you learn much from your experience.  To get the most out of your time abroad, go with the flow and be open minded.

Travel, whether it be for business or for pleasure, is an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone.  Learn, have fun and take advantage of every opportunity. If you do, you will return home that much richer than when you left. By doing just a little bit of preparation, you can ensure that you will not be labeled the “ugly” tourist.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

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