The Expat Chat

The Expat Chat

By Tony ArgyleSociety & CulturePlaces & Travel
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The Expat Chat episodes

  • Why I Left My "Dream" Career to Care For Elephants

    Traveling can be a fantastic experience at the best of times but it’s even better when you can combine it with something you are passionate about. Diana Edelman took to the road in 2010 after realizing that her “dream” career in public relations wasn’t making her happy.

    She’d developed a passion for elephants ever since first encountering them and badgered her way into a volunteer position taking care of the magnificent creatures in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

    After 2 ½ wonderful years there Diana decided to move on to her new home base of Madrid – a city she had fallen in love with on an earlier trip.

    We caught up with her and her two traveling cats where she shares her experiences of living in Chiang Mai, the opportunities ahead for her in Madrid and we discussed her passion for responsible tourism

    You can follow her at www.dtravelsround.com and find out more about responsible tourism through the website www.responsibletraveltourism.com

     

    What I learned from Diana’s interview:

    1. Chiang Mai is an inspiring location but be wary of the burn season from February until April. The jungle surrounds are burned off filling the town with smoke and haze. It’s a good time to head to the southern beaches if you don’t want to be breathing in the air!
    2. Responsible tourism is a fast growing area which focuses on doing the right thing in the places which you visit – not only from an environmental perspective but also from an economic one.
    3. Spain have recently introduced an entrepreneur visa, no doubt prompted by the economic turmoil going on in the country. If you can present a solid business plan to the appropriate entity they will assess whether or not your business idea is sustainable and will help the local economy. If you pass then you could have a chance to stay longer term.
    4. It’s a good idea to have a back-up plan. Diana is learning to teach English. Even though it’s not her primary objective it will give her another means of income if her writing should slow down at all
    5. Although not comparable to the costs of Chiang Mai (she was able to live for around $US700 per month while there) Madrid can still offer an affordable lifestyle. She is paying around $US750 per month for a 48sqm apartment but she is centrally located which reduces transport costs. All up Madrid is costing her around $US1300 per month to live
    6. If you’re going to write be genuine. Diana has developed a very successful blog because she writes well but she emphasizes the need to be genuine if you want your blog to rise above the many that are currently appearing online. Writing for Google ranking is not the most effective way to build a long term following.
      7. 39 min
    7. Caribbean Views for $5 A Day - Managing 50 Ukrainians from a Mexican Hideaway

      Although Barnaby Andersun had lived the typical suburban lifestyle of house, mortgage and car for 18 years in Brisbane,Australia he always knew that with a portable business there was a less stressful option that would cost him less and allow him to travel the world on his own terms.

      In 2012 he finally made the leap, taking his branding business with him. He started in Bali, before moving to Chiang Mai, back to Bali, on to Canada and New York before settling in over the last 6 months in Mexico. Barnaby sees himself as a citizen of the world and loves the freedom his lifestyle affords him.

      He now runs an online business which employs over 50 web designers (all based in the Ukraine) and he’s currently doing it from a beachfront housesit overlooking the Carribbean in Xcalak Mexico .

      To find out more about Barnaby check out his website at http://learntolivefree.com

      What I learned from speaking with Barnaby Andersun:

      1. Barnaby has given a lot of thought to his lifestyle and embraced it whole hog. He’s not just a temporary traveler with a travel blog – he’s turned his lifestyle into a serious business filled with adventure along the way. He’s mastered the art of cutting costs while maximizing income.
      2. Again Barnaby has emphasized how little it costs to live the location independent lifestyle. His current abode in Mexico costs him around $10 every couple of days for food, being a housesitting position everything else is largely paid for.
      3. It’s never been easier to make an online income than it is today. There are so many online resources that can make the average layperson into an internet expert. Even if you don’t want to make money online simply letting out a mortgage free house can be enough. One of Barnabys house-sharing friends has been traveling the world for a number of years just funded by $20000 in rental income from a place he owns. Maybe you could too.
      4. Try before you buy. Barnaby spent two months living out of a suitcase in Sydney to see how well he would handle it. He believes most people should try it in small steps as you never know what or where might appeal to you as a traveler.
      5. Earning an online income doesn’t have to be expensive to set up. Be prepared that the first thing you try might not work but as long as you don’t throw a lot of money at it nothing is lost. Try again until you find the niche that works best. Don’t forget you don’t need a lot of money to live like a king in many parts of the world.
        6. 39 min
      6. How Teaching in Korea Gives Me 3 Months in Chiang Mai

        Do you consider yourself too old to move countries? Maybe you’re a middle aged single woman who’s fearful of the world… or perhaps you have no skills to earn money with if you do shift. All perfectly legitimate barriers to becoming an expat.

        Or are they? Barriers often only exist in the mind – and for Nancie McKinnon they weren’t going to be factors that stood in her way. The Nova Scotia native left Halifax 15 years ago, leaving behind a corporate lifestyle and embarking on her new career as an English teacher.

        After a period in Taiwan Nancie moved to Korea where she has continued to teach – combining her university position with the opportunity to take a couple of semesters off each year to travel where she spends part of her time in Chiang Mai Thailand and the rest traveling whichever parts of the world take her fancy.

        We caught up with Nancie in Seoul where she discusses the process of becoming an English teacher, what she loves about Korea, and why Chiang Mai and Portugal are two places on her radar for an expat to live. You’ll follow Nancies story and enjoy her Travel Photo Thursday updates at http://www.budgettravelerssandbox.com

        What I learned from speaking with Nancie:

        1. Getting a job that allows you to travel is a great way to go. Nancie gets 15 weeks off per year and uses it wisely! It helps to get out of Korea in winter which can be one of the more expensive times of year to be there thanks to heating costs. Nancie finds she can earn enough when she’s working to cover her lifestyle year round, and generally spends substantially less when staying in Thailand than it costs her in Korea.
        2. Again you don’t need “stuff” I loved Nancie’s comment about spending $500 on a coat or a plane ticket – easy decision to make! She is able to live affordably for around $US1500 per month in Korea and even less when traveling in the rest of South East Asia.
        3. Teaching English can give you the opportunity to progress as a career. Nancie started with no previous experience and is now teaching at University level. You can upgrade as you go. Although teaching English in Korea is not as easy as when she started there are loads of other countries you can explore as destinations where English can be taught relatively easily.
          4. 39 min
        4. How We Pay For Travel with a Camera and an Etsy Store

          One of the tricks to being able to travel is making sure you have enough money to do it. It’s less expensive than you think but some form of income is still going to be handy! Sometimes this might involve an existing skill you have or sometimes you develop new skills that can be used anywhere you go.

          Jenna and Micah Kvidt are Minnesota natives who in the last twelve months have made the world their oyster. Through their website www.wanderthemap.com  they’ve been everywhere from Iceland to Japan and large parts of the US and Canada as well. They have developed their skills to the point where Micah earns a living as a freelance photographer and videographer while Jenna supplements their income through her online Etsy store. Like many others they gave up their corporate jobs to travel and haven’t regretted it since

          You can follow their travels at http://www.instagram.com/wanderthemap  http://www.youtube.com/wanderthemap and on their pinterest and Facebook pages as well

           

          What I learned from Jenna and Micah’s interview:

          1. There are dozens of opportunities to make money online and travel the world. They were both surprised how relatively easy it was to start making an online income using their respective skills. Their travel is now supplemented by a hotel group who they do work for – and the best part was the hotel group approached them!
          2. You need to make sure you treat your income source as a business. It’s easy to get distracted while traveling and not get around to doing the stuff that is important. You still need to make that income and just because your surroundings are exciting is no reason to forget the work that must be done. Make sure you travel slow enough so you don’t begrudge the time you spend on paying the bills.
          3. Don’t forget those air miles and hotel points! Jenna and Micah use these wisely to cover the cost of more expensive areas. They seriously reduced the expense of going to places like Norway, Iceland, and Japan by using the points they had accumulated while saving their money for cheaper destinations and those closer to home.
            4. 33 min
          4. Retirement Renegades: How To Downsize and Hit the Road

            To many a comfortable lifestyle in Corpus Christi Texas would sound like retirement bliss and for Anita and Richard Oliver it had its benefits. Anita was still working as a pharmacist while Richard had retired and enjoyed his mornings walking or catching up with friends. They had the typical house with the typical toys – but something was missing.

            3 years ago they made the decision to sell up or giveaway most of their possessions except the house and start travelling. After working their way through much of central and South America they travelled to Europe where they fell in love with the Algarve region of Portugal.

            We caught up with them back in Corpus Christi where they were housesitting while waiting for their Portugese visas to be come through.

            You’ll find their blog at http://noparticularplacetogo.net

             

            What I learned from Richard and Anita:

            1. You don’t need “stuff” to be happy. Both of them found downsizing to be a liberating feeling, Richard called it a relief! They did however emphasize that their approach is not what they would recommend to everyone. If you decide to embark on their journey there is no easy way to go back.You can’t replace 35 years of possessions overnight!
            2. Check out local expat blogs when looking for accommodation somewhere. You will find plenty of fellow travelers who will be willing to share their information on where to stay. Generally the Olivers used AirBNB for up to a week somewhere and looked for cheaper long term accommodation beyond that. They have had a good experience with Air BNB. The only issue they had was quickly resolved by an Air BNB reimbursement
            3. Central American health care can usually be covered out of pocket. Although the Olivers had travel insurance the higher excess meant it was more economical to pay directly for health costs than trigger the insurance.
            4. If looking to get visas to relocate be prepaid for paperwork and the need to be patient. The Olivers aren’t necessarily expecting their Portugese application to be all plain sailing. They have employed a lawyer with the expertise to get their application through quicker and easier but know there are no guarantees with the process.
              5. 40 min
            5. One Dad, and One Kid - The Travel Adventures of a Single Dad and His Teenage Son

              Today’ interview is longer than our normal but I think you’ll agree it’s worth every minute.

              Just over 4 years ago Talon Windwalker was dealing with depression and his 9 year old son was battling with anxiety. He had become disillusioned in the US and felt the education system wasn’t providing his son with what he needed.

              Together they embarked on an adventure that has seen them travel through 6 continents and share the sort of father and son experiences that few others would have had.

              We spoke with Talon housesitting in England where we discussed the pros and cons of travel and the opportunities that self-schooling can provide a young boy which traditional education doesn’t.

              Their story is inspiring of what you can do with children when you don’t conform to the norm. You can find out more here at their blog http://1dad1kid.com

               

              What I learned from these two travelers:

              1. You can’t let conformity get in your way. It’s so easy to let children be your excuse to not do something. It’s also easy to do what the system says you should do but you need to stand up for what you believe is best for you and your children. That can take great bravery, but if you don’t stand up for your beliefs then what do you stand up for?
              2. Don’t rely on one source of income. If you depend on Facebook or Google you can find yourself losing a good portion of your income if they have one of their shake ups. More than one string to your bow is important so there are no shocks to the system
              3. Much of the Balkan states are now on my wishlist. They are affordable, beautiful and offer a good quality of life for those wanting it. They are also outside the Schengen agreement which can restrict how long you spend in some countries within Europe. Check out Talons website if you want to know more about Schengen and visas, particularly for Americans.
              4. Things always work out. Talon had moments where he wondered where the money would come from but good opportunities would often kick in.
              5. Once more it’s clear that travel can be as cheap as you want it to be. Their first year the two travelers survived on $12000 including traveling South America and going to Europe.
                6. 1 hr 6 min
              6. Life as a French Au Pair

                One of the issues facing perpetual travelers and those wishing to become global nomads or expatriates is “where do I make some money?” Well there are lots of options available online but if you’re into a more traditional form of work and don’t mind giving up some of your privacy then being an au pair or child carer could be the perfect option for you.

                Today we talk to Roisin Grace about her experiences of being an au pair in Paris, the do’s and don’ts of being an au pair and where you can start if you’re wanting to become one.

                You can follow Roisin’s blog at http://roisingrace.com

                What I learned about being an au pair:

                1. It isn’t difficult to become an au pair and no qualifications are required. You can choose to go through an agency or look via Facebook to see who is interested. You might have to give up a little bit of money through an agency but it will give you a little more certainty about who you are dealing with and an out if the arrangement doesn’t work (agencies can normally deal with relocating you if the relationship doesn’t work out)
                2. Money isn’t great with being an au pair but the perks can be worth it. You need to be clear if you are living in or getting your own accommodation. If you live out then you’ll need more money to cover your living costs. Travel may be part of your additional benefits so it pays to ask what the plans are with this
                3. Make sure both parties are clear on expectations. Will you be cooking or cleaning? Setting the ground rules from the beginning for both parties is very important.
                  4. 30 min
                4. On the Road for 30 Years - Why Age is no Barrier

                  Being a perpetual traveler is one of the new ways to see the globe but 30 years ago it was more a rarity – and even more of a rarity for a single woman to be doing it on her own.

                  For Leyla Giray Alyanak travel was in her blood. Her parents and grandparents were all expats and she grew up on the move. When the time came to make the decision to end her journalism position and take to the road it was probably no surprise to anybody.

                  30 years on this multi-national citizen has settled in to France as her home but the urge to travel is still strong and she will again be hitting the road ready to use her multi language skills to help traverse the globe.

                  We hope you’ll enjoy today’s interview where you’ll discover how travel has changed and Leyla’s opinions on what a modern day traveler would need to do if they want to follow in her shoes.

                  Leyla is indeed one of the grandmothers of modern nomadic travel. You’ll find her blog and e-book at http://blog.women-on-the-road.com

                  What I learned from speaking with Leyla:

                  1. Earning money while traveling has changed considerably since she first started. There are a lot more travelers and a lot more blogs! That said the internet has opened up more opportunities to make money online making it easier for the modern day expat traveler to earn a living while on the road.
                  2. You can take something out of every experience. Even the bad times when traveling, and she’s had her fair share including near drownings and earthquakes, can give you moments that you can always remember even if their bad!
                  3. Every travel experience adds to your confidence account in some way shape or form. You gain more confidence the more you try and you expand your comfort zone when traveling just by the art of dealing with your day to day environment.
                  4. The best phrase to learn in any language is “What is the word for?” Leyla found doing this and pointing at objects enabled her to quickly expand her vocabulary in any country she was in.
                    5. 32 min
                  5. Living Well in Europe For Less $1000 Per Month

                    If your image of the typical house-sitter is a cat loving baby boomer than think again. Laura and Tanbay are two twenty somethings travelling the world and enjoying it without the cost of accommodation.

                    A chance search for how to live rent free led them to discover the art of minding houses and three years later the two young people have enjoyed many parts of the world while living on minimal costs.

                    Their adventures have taken them from Australia to the Azores. We caught up with them both in Germany where they were visiting friends and family between housesits.

                    You can follow their adventures and grab a copy of their e-book: Housesitting in Australia; A Guide for First Time House-sitters at their website http://www.travellingweasels.com

                    What I learned from speaking with Laura and Tanbay:

                    1. Housesitting can save far more than just the cost of renting or hotel accommodation. Food is one of the most expensive parts of living and eating out from a hotel can be a killer. Housesits of course come with kitchens and the ability to save more money in this area. Housesitting also cuts down on possessions and saves money being frittered away on things that you don t necessarily need
                    2. Get a police check done before you start. This gives you a credible reference and more peace of mind for people seeking housesitters.
                    3. Start with friends and family so you can build references. It can be a catch 22 otherwise – no housesits without references and no references if you don’t go housesitting first
                    4. Make sure the rules are clear for both parties. Everyone has expectations that are different and this needs to be discussed, often via skype, in advance.
                      5. 40 min
                    5. Building an Online Business So You Can Travel - How To Find Expert Help From $3 Per Hour

                      So you’re looking at heading overseas and want to set up an online business, maybe a travel blog, to bring in a little money. Trouble is you don’t know the first thing about website building, affiliate marketing, and have never run a Facebook ad in your life. No problem!

                      The good news is you don’t have to know it all. There are well qualified people with the expertise to do all the technical stuff you don’t know so you can focus on the more important parts, namely sunning yourself on the beach and having a good time!

                      Today we talk with Sam Patton an outsourcing expert who explains what outsourcing is, why you should use it, how you can use outsourcing both to help with an online business and the personal aspects of your travel plans, and he shows you some cool tools you can use to make outsourcing easier for you if that’s the way you’re planning to go.

                      If you want to know more about outsourcing and how to get started you can contact Sam through his website www.savetimeoutsourcing.com   . He has a great little report on 77 things you can outsource from your business and your life at www.savetimeoutsourcing.com/task-list

                       

                       What I learned from speaking with Sam:

                      1. Outsourcing has three main advantages. Firstly it can save you time which is invaluable if you’re travelling and – let’s face it – no one wants to spend time working if they can go sightseeing instead! Secondly it can be a cost saver if going offshore. Thirdly it fills an expertise gap. As Sam says no one can be a complete business themselves and online outsourcing can provide you with the skills in areas you don’t have so you can get an online business underway sooner
                      2. There are some great little tools you can use to help manage outsourcers and control the workflow. Sam touches on a few of these during the interview including some I’ve not heard before.
                      3. Good communication is crucial. Most outsourcing breaks down because instructions aren’t clear and outsourcers are left to their own devices. Don’t leave things to chance – keep the communication open and don’t assume it’s all their fault if they don’t do it right first.
                        4. 41 min

                      About The Expat Chat

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                      The Expat Chat is a weekday podcast where we interview inspiring expats who have thrown off the constraints of western congestion to enjoy their dream lifestyle in other parts of the world. If you…

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