Adventurers Abroad: The New American Expat Generation

by Robert T. Nelson

"Adventurers Abroad: The New American Expat Generation," profiles a new wave of Americans moving abroad, led by Millennials and younger Gen-Xers. Fourteen members of this new expat generation tell what it is like to move abroad and live and work in a new country, and what it takes to join them as an adventurer abroad.

Genres: Nonfiction

186 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2015

About the author

After living in Puerto Vallarta for six years, Robert Nelson wrote his first love letter to this Mexican tropical paradise. Boomers in Paradise: Living in Puerto Vallarta captured the everyday lives of 14 American and Canadian Baby Boomers, providing those who dream about living in the city on the Bay of Banderas with the insights and information needed to make Puerto Vallarta their new home.

Now, Expats in Paradise: Life in Puerto Vallarta brings a fresh new look at the daily lives of a disparate group of expats from America, Canada, Argentina, France, England and even the Czech Republic, reflecting the cosmopolitan and international personality of Puerto Vallarta. Their unique and personal experiences will provide readers with the facts, feelings and observations necessary to help them decide if they want to make Puerto Vallarta their place in the sun.

After years of visiting Puerto Vallarta, he first moved to the city by the Bay of Banderas in 2002. He has also lived in Germany, Turkey and Greece and has traveled to over a dozen countries on three continents. He was the founder and editor of the popular online magazine Expats In Mexico - The Expat Guide to Living in Mexico (https://www.expatsinmexico.com), a broadcasting and marketing professional for over four decades and an adjunct professor of advertising for a decade at San Jose State University.

Reviews

[Debra Schoenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having just relocated almost 5,000 km to the other side of Canada, I was looking forward to reading Robert Nelson’s book about moving to another country. I wasn’t really familiar with the term “expat” and the book explains that the term refers to “anyone who lives outside of his or her nation of origin for at least six months of any twelve-month period.” However, he also gives the contemporary interpretation of “expat” as “choosing to live abroad, without renouncing citizenship”.

The book explains that “globalization, modern technology and transportation improvements have literally shrunk the world we live in” and more and more people are opting to live away from their home countries. Some of the primary reasons for the growing expat community are:

- the desire for adventure and the need for new experiences
- a lifestyle change
- a new business opportunity
- less expensive living conditions
- affordable schooling / continuing education

The tech-savvy younger generation and risk takers make up a large portion of those who are moving abroad as entrepreneurs due to the fact that as long as they have a good internet connection they can live pretty much anywhere in the world. They are often the most entrepreneurial and are shunning the corporate ladder to start their own business.

There are 14 chapters dedicated to different individuals who decided to move to another country for one reason or another. Their experiences and insight are a valuable source of information to the aspiring expat. Some of the advice that I found to be interesting was to do as much research about your target country at least 1-2 years before you plan to move. Learn the language of your country, research the laws (for those who want to register their business), taxation information, visa information. Learning about the culture, food and transportation are also very important.

Online research and communicating with people who live in your target country are valuable up to a certain point. Once you are actually living in your new area, you will have to make adjustments and adapt to the local culture.

Although I moved within the same country, it was from a French-speaking province with a mostly European culture to a more homogenous English speaking part of the country. I wouldn’t actually call this culture-shock as more of a transitional shock. Thanks to some amazing friends who live in my new area, the move has been pretty smooth. Living in a smaller city means that my travelling time has been cut by 1/2. Food is more expensive but with time I am learning to where to shop to find better prices. Adapting to living in an apartment without central heating is also a challenge (I invested in a pair of heavy mohair socks and wear a sweater most of the time) but being close to the ocean is a real draw for me.

In summary, one of the number one characteristics an expat needs to possess is open-mindedness and a willingness to try new methods and accept failure as a means to learn and improve. Be adaptable, accept your host culture for what it is and be continue to be adventurous and curious!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in moving abroad.

[Katherine Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both my husband and I lived abroad for a time in our childhoods–he in Korea, I in the Philippines. From the early years of our marriage, we have enjoyed world travel. (After tithing and charitable giving, saving for college, and paying the mortgage, it’s our #1 choice for spending our money). Before and after having children, we have intentionally made world travel a part of our lifestyle. In fact, we consider world travel to be a family value for the way it broadens perspective and nurtures an adventurous spirit. We anticipate that we may follow the path of several friends who have already moved abroad in order to work with one service organization or another. In short, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that expat living could someday become our way of life. Which is why I wanted to learn more.

Of course, reading others’ stories is one of the very best ways to learn, and this book is a compilation of those. It does focus on the millennial experience (not mine and my Gen X), because the author’s research has indicated that this is the expat trend. Though that set me somewhat apart, I could still appreciate the wide range of experience represented in these stories, including not only the expats themselves but their backgrounds, hometowns, current country of residence, and reasons for living abroad. The one exception was the one I was looking for–the expat who works with a humanitarian NGO or service nonprofit like World Vision or Samaritan’s Purse. It surprised me that this experience was not included here as, at least in my circles, it’s the number one reason for wanting to move. Instead, those interviewed valued other benefits to expat living, including the potential for better quality of living, more affordable living, and preferring a different culture.

The last chapter was perhaps the most illuminating: an inventory of personal qualities deemed necessary to live abroad well. It may not surprise you to learn that not everyone would qualify. In fact, according to what I read here, on some days I’m not even sure I would. It certainly helps to bring clarity to the question of whether living abroad might be a viable option for the reader. All in all, I came away with a better idea of what to expect, and how to make it happen.

Thanks to iRead Book Tours for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.

[Marilyn Wilson]

Adventures Abroad lets you take a journey behind the scenes into the lives of Americans who have chosen to live abroad - whether for a year or for a lifetime. I always enjoy reading about the unusual journeys others choose to take. They highlight our very uniqueness and as we read of the adventures of others, we are encouraged to take out our dreams, dust them off and take a chance.

I found the first chapter of the book a bit dry as that is where you'll find all the facts, figures and statistics on this phenomenon. If you like statistics then you'll find all those interesting numbers here. My interest was piqued with the 14 ensuing chapters, each featuring the story of a different individual (or couple) living in abroad. While they all spoke enthusiastically about the positive aspects of their experience, ultimately there were some common threads of difficulties they did have to face. The final chapter offers a few notes on the characteristics necessary to embrace this lifestyle as well as quotes from ex-pats offering their advice.

Most ex-pats encourage anyone thinking of moving abroad to spend a minimum of one year in preparation to more fully understand the currency, the politics, the culture, the housing, etc. The more knowledge you acquire before your move, the quicker you will adjust to the new rhythms and ways of doing things. Language is definitely a barrier to integrating, so it's worth trying to obtain at least some basic fluency before you go. And I think almost all wrote they had reached out to other ex-pats from around the world through local Meet-up groups to make new friends.

If you're thinking of spending an extended time living in another country, the personal stories shared here will prove a welcome eye-opener and offer lots perspectives on how to prepare and how to embrace the new experiences on arrival.

[Melisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

As an Asian American, I feel like I can relate to this book.. but in the opposite way than what it is proposing. My parents immigrated to the United States about 30 years ago and haven't looked back. My husband was in the Air Force for a number of years, letting him travel to many exotic destinations, and while he occasionally remarks on how different some cultures are and that there are some places he would rather live, I haven't been as convinced that uprooting us and moving overseas is the best idea. I have rarely been anywhere outside my hometown, so I thought reading this book might reveal to me some benefits and whether suck a risk is worthwhile. There's always been a part of me that thinks it'd be exciting to travel and see new places, but I don't know if this book has convinced me one way or another that living abroad and becoming an expatriate is as beneficial as might be proclaimed or perceived.

This collection of stories from expatriates all share some common themes. The adventurers fell in love with a foreigner, they weren't finding the opportunities they wanted locally and/or wanting to provide a broader education for their children and so they are more culturally aware than they may be if raised in the U.S. A couple stories were about relocating for work reasons, whether to teach English in the foreign country or to expand a business. It seems like a lot of risk to leave everything comfortable behind, but one definitely needs a free spirit.. or be very thorough and organized. It also might take an entrepreneurial spirit it seems in some cases. Perhaps it's easier to see unexposed opportunities in a new country.

I think if the author had shared more of his personal experience, the book would have developed more depth. I know the book is mainly documentation of interviews, but that makes it come across somewhat unemotional. I read about the experiences but I didn't feel a deep connection to anyone. I could relate to some of the experiences where the expat had trouble acclimating, but I don't think it necessarily takes moving to a new country for someone to feel alone and misunderstood. Whether it be a conscious decision or one brought on by circumstances, I think traveling abroad and making a different country home permanently can have a lot of potential. Close-mindedness and lack of opportunity can be a problem sometimes, but being exposed to different people and ideas can have its benefits.

Please note: I received this book for free through a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you to everyone who made that possible.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been attracted to different cultures and reading about people’s adventures in foreign lands. Five years ago my youngest sister became an expat, traveling the world for work and living in Dubai and then Switzerland. Every time she comes back for a visit, she always has such interesting tales to tell us.

As author Robert Nelson, a former expat, states in his book Adventurers Abroad: The New American Expat Generation, “Globalization, modern technology and transportation improvements have literally shrunk the world we live in, and those changes are reflected in the large and growing number of American expats.” Indeed, many, even those with children are moving to different countries in the search for a different lifestyle and cultural experience. I picked up this book wanting to learn more about this expat generation and it did two things for me. It made me want to travel more and it made me better understand the challenges and the benefits my sister is experiencing, many of which I recognized as I read the book.

Apart from some factual information about expats, the book is primarily made up of 14 personal stories of individuals who left the USA and became expats. These individuals vary in age, circumstance, work and family life. Each story helped me to understand the expat experience in different ways, and what better way than from those who are living it? The stories are real, honest and convey both the challenges and the love for the country these individuals have moved to. Many mention what they would have done differently in preparing for the move and others focus on the need to change your way of thinking.

Each experience is unique, yet there are similarities which makes us understand why expats feel a connection to other expats. The world and cultural experience no longer makes them feel on the same level as their peers in Americans because they now have a different mindset and they still feel like foreigners in their new country. It’s that in-between feeling that only another expat would understand.

If you are thinking of moving abroad, I highly recommend reading this book. It’s not a how-to book, but one that helps you prepare mentally for the expat experience. No matter what your situation, these stories will resonate with you, they will inspire you and they will appeal to the adventurous side of you. For more information on the expat life, I suggest you visit MyInternationalAdventure.com, Robert Nelson’s online guide for aspiring American expats.

[Sandra Olshaski · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is an expatriate or expat? Webster's dictionary describes an expat as "to withdraw residence in or allegiance to one's native country" - a somewhat negative term that may question a person's loyalty to their country. Today, due to global mobility and economic globalization, the most common understanding of expatriate is a person who chooses to live abroad, for whatever reason, without renouncing their citizenship. This book focuses on some Americans living abroad.

Contrary to the notion that expats are mostly retirees, research shows that the largest group of aspiring expats is between the ages of 25-34 years who are looking for adventure, a need for new experiences in life and the desire to start their own business abroad. The second largest group is the 35-44 age group. The author documents the lives of 14 Americans who share their stories about life as an expat, as well as the characteristics a person needs to successfully integrate into life in another country. My absolute favourite story is about the American woman now living in Marseilles, France.

Some expats attributed their successful integration into their new surroundings by avoiding other American expats or as one young woman put it "I realized that I was part of a worldwide community of people without a single homeland." She discovered that those are the expats she is drawn to. In her words "getting involved with local people and activities is what really makes life living abroad – perhaps anywhere – truly enriching."

Almost all of the 14 expats featured in the book agree on this. Their adventures living abroad changed their world view. They developed a completely different perspective on life that is not centered solely on America. One 31-year-old living in Argentina commented "one of the real blessings of being an expat is that it gives you a different perspective on your home country, something I hear constantly from many other expats."

The best advice they give is to thoroughly research life in the prospective country, the language, the history, money, climate, the foods, and the cultural differences a couple of years before moving abroad.
And finally, what characteristics are needed to be a successful expat? Open-mindedness, flexibility, cultural sensitivity, and curiosity, among other positive qualities.

This is a fascinating, yet realistic book that documents the ups, downs, challenges, likes and dislikes of those who have ventured abroad. It is a must-read for those wanting to successfully join the ranks of expats.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up Robert Nelson’s new book with great anticipation, and I was not disappointed. This is a really absorbing read. Adventurers Abroad is a compilation of narratives from fourteen different expats, discussing everything about the experience of living and working abroad. While this is something of acute interest to me, it should also prove worthwhile for the armchair traveler.
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Nelson opens the book with an introduction that includes some statistics about expats, from a study that he commissioned. He was surprised to learn that there are more Millennials out there in the expat world than there are Boomers, meaning that it is more of a phenomenon for young working people than for retirees. What surprised me was that there are 7 MILLION American expatriates! That’s up about 75% since 1999. This makes the dream of living abroad seem suddenly much more feasible. Everyone is doing it, so why can’t we?

The personal narratives cover the map, literally and figuratively. There are single people, couples, and families with children of various ages. There are people who have chosen one particular country for a new home, and others who plan to relocate periodically. There are small-town Middle Americans and those who have emigrated multiple times. Some are entrepreneurs and some were placed by their employer. People moved for education, romance, professional opportunities, or simply because they were enamored with a special culture.

Anyone who has any level of interest in relocating to a foreign country should consider reading Adventurers Abroad. It has a lot of “if only I had known sooner” tidbits. One theme mentioned by several people was either that doing a year of research had really paid off, or that they wished they had spent more time researching than they did. In one sense, relocating is more straightforward than we think it is: pack and go! In another sense, it is a very complex undertaking, and it’s impossible to be too prepared. Reading an upbeat, detail-filled book like this helps make the dream seem much more approachable.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had no expectations when I started to read this book. Well, at least not consciously. I guess I figured many expats either married someone from another country and moved there for family reasons or were adventurous young adults, unattached and dissatisfied with their life.

This book showed me the multitude of reasons why people can decide to explore other cultures and build a life somewhere far removed from where they were raised. I especially related to several profiles of expats from Michigan and the Midwestern U.S.
There were some similarities in expats finding initial jobs as English teachers, but even there the experiences were different.
One very inspiring profile was about a young family, all their considerations, and how they created income producing opportunities for themselves. Other inspiring stories were about researching jobs that could be done from anywhere. Even if you are not ready to change countries, this allows you to rethink your career options.

As for paperwork and regulations, it appears it can be both simpler and more complex than anticipated. The bottom line is that with desire and planning, one can be successful.
Overall a very interesting read.

I was given a copy of this book to review.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a bit of a dry read for me. Thank you Goodreads for my ARC.