In this episode, Clare is in conversation with her husband Tunji Akinsehiwa a Boston University professor and international cinemaphotographer. Tunji shares what it was like to be the person who moved for work. He talks about juggling the needs of your family with settling into a new job while adapting to a culture that is very foreign to you.

He and Clare discuss some of the challenges they faced when moving to the USA. In particular, the ones that caught them a bit unawares. For example, surprising cultural differences, realising you do not have all of the rights you were expecting to have, dealing with bureaucracy and additional expenses.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• On top of the stress of starting a new job there is a lot of anxiety surrounding settling family members into a new country.
• Getting the timing of the paperwork, travel arrangements and finding a home is difficult and things rarely go as planned.
• Moving to a developed, English-speaking country is still not easy. Things do not always work in the way you expect and there are significant cultural differences.
• Often, the rights of the partner of the person with the work visa can be more limited than you expect. Sometimes they are not allowed to work too.
• Most days, something happens that reminds you that you are from outside.
• If you want to live abroad, make it your intention to do so, instead of thinking of it as a dream. Once you set it as an intention, it is far more likely to happen.

BEST MOMENTS

‘We literally started again, it´s almost like being born again. ´

‘If you don't know the right questions to ask, you don't ask them.’

‘The rose-tinted glasses have come off that´s for sure.’

‘At least 20% of the job is to inspire your students. To make them believe they can achieve great things.’

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.bu.edu/com/articles/nollywood-the-next-big-thing/

ABOUT THE HOST – CLARE KAY

Clare has moved countries many times throughout her life, from China to Taiwan, Nigeria, Zambia, and the USA. She has also travelled the world for various businesses and now wishes to impart her advice to others to save them time, money, and energy.

Clare follows three principles central to her endeavours. First, she looks outward internationally, working with people overseas or of different nationalities. Second, she is obsessed with communication, having learned French, German and Mandarin Chinese. She also teaches English and works as an editor for others’ work. Clare is passionate about making a difference through her coaching in the world of personal development.

CONTACT METHOD

www.kayproofreading.com

www.linkedin.com/in/clarekay

https://www.facebook.com/KayProofreading

Podcast Description

When you move for a new job, to live with someone after a long-distance relationship or to explore the benefits of a new lifestyle, moving countries occurs as an opportunity, but it still might be a bumpy ride. Moving Countries 101 presents a paradox of moving to a new destination, but it being all about the journey: the ongoing experience of having moved countries.

Clare and her guests share the human stories of an ancient undertaking in modern times. Moving countries prompts change, and change provokes being unsettled emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. On all these fronts, moving countries promotes observation, opportunity, and discovery.