Travel to North America to backpack, study, intern, volunteer, work, or live as a digital nomad, expat or emigrant?

Meet Joe. Joe grew up in small town in the United Kingdom, but decided to move to the US for his studies. In 2014 he applied for a scholarship, got it and said goodbye to his family and friends to go on a 6-year adventure in the US. After four years of studying and two years of working he decided to leave. Read more about his story below! 

What motivated you to move to the United States of America and how was your experience?

What should people know about you to understand your emigration story?

I moved to the US at 18 to pursue a college education as I received a merit-based scholarship. I studied for four years, graduating with a degree in chemistry, and then made use of the STEM optional practical training (OPT) program to work for two years.

Was there a specific moment or event that inspired you to emigrate?

Many, but mainly growing up watching the big bang theory and meeting an american girl on a holiday in France when I was 15! 

How did you prepare?

A few vaccines that I had to get that were required in the US but not in the EU. A physical check-up. Getting all my dental/optical health taken care of as I wasn’t sure how much it would cost in the US.

What did your life look like, what kind of work/activities made you feel like you were really at home in the USA?

Hiking and spending time in nature! The US is vast and the sky feels huge compared to anywhere else I’ve been in the world - reaching a viewpoint on the Appalachian trail and seeing lush green trees as far as the eye can see. Camping trips to Maine and the Adirondacks, the myriad colours of leaves in a New England fall. Halloween pumpkin picking and carving, drinking apple cider, eating pumpkin pie. Going to a baseball game or an ice hockey game. Fourth of July fireworks! Watching the NFL on Thanksgiving.

Did you have an idea about the future?

At the time of leaving, I did not have much of an idea of the future due to the pandemic. I had a plan for moving back to the UK, and made sure to tie up loose ends before leaving the US. I knew that I eventually wanted to travel to Japan and New Zealand/Australia. 

Why did you return to the UK?

Again, many reasons. It was difficult during the pandemic being isolated from my family in the UK. I also wanted to travel internationally outside of the USA and make use of UK-based working holiday programmes, which was at odds with needing to maintain my visa status and employer-provided health insurance in the US.

How was university life in the USA?

Did you get funding to go to university in the US?

⁠I was lucky to be able to go through the Sutton Trust US programme, a programme aimed at educating UK state school students on college opportunities available in the US as there is a lot of financial aid on offer for international students. The programme guided me through the daunting US college admission process. There are different forms of funding in terms of scholarships, merit-based financial aid, and need-based financial aid (what I got, I was admitted to the university but then received grant money from the university to attend, otherwise I wasn’t able to afford it). Advice would be to look at highly ranked US universities, as they will typically have more money and financial aid available to give to international students.  

What kind of university did you attend?

I attended a liberal arts college, smaller than traditional universities, and focusing on a more holistic and well-rounded education rather than a single area. (I had to take classes in different subject areas - social sciences, natural sciences, arts, physical education, etc.) in order to graduate. I didn’t declare a major (chemistry) until the end of my second year, and was able to take non-chemistry classes throughout my time. 

What did the academic year look like?

⁠Academic year followed a two semester system, fall and spring. Assessments were done throughout the semester, rather than a single exam at the end. I was fortunate to attend a liberal arts college as they are solely undergraduate institutions and have small student bodies (2000 student). I was able to do research in the chemistry department and used high level instrumentation that would be difficult to find/use even at graduate level. Classes were also much smaller and much more student/professor interaction.

Any advice?

Thanksgiving is a really fun holiday, I found my American friends were happy to invite me into their homes when I told them I’d be alone on the holidays.

What is American culture like, and how do people interact socially in the United States?

How did you make friends? Do you have any tips for meeting people?

I was fortunate to meet friends through college and then work. Americans are generally very friendly and happy to help or to have a conversation. Many of my friends invited me into their homes during public holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving. My tips for meeting people would be to pursue groups based on hobbies and shared interests, and to be open to new opportunities and putting yourself outside of your comfort zone.

How did locals react to you living and working in the US?

I found that people are always happy to chat to people from Europe and hear about where they are from! But for the most part living and working here is the same as anywhere else!

What is your favorite local tradition/holiday?

Thanksgiving, the desserts/pies are amazing and the lack of focus on gifts (like christmas) makes it a nice holiday focused on spending time with family and friends.

Are there things you struggled with in social interactions?

The directness and extroverted nature of conversations is sometimes overwhelming. Another thing was not knowing if people are endearing or genuinely interested in friendship versus stereotypical friendly American. This sometimes made it difficult to foster genuine friendships. 

How did you stay in touch with home?

Facetime and Whatsapp, sending family pictures, Polarsteps

Have you learned anything useful about communication with home?

It highlighted indirect patterns of speech that are used in the UK, which was useful when I returned to work after my time in the US. 

What was one of the best experiences? 

It starts with losing my expensive glasses in the ocean, not the best experience... But then the family I was staying with talked with their neighbours/local community and they all chipped in money for me to get a replacement pair. I'd never experienced something like that before and it showed the kindness of many Americans, even towards a relative stranger. 

What are the challenges of emigrating to the USA as a British person?

What were your biggest disappointments after emigrating?

The lack of walkability disappointed me, a car is very much a necessity outside of few major cities. In the UK distances are much smaller and public transportation is easy, or you can even go somewhere by bike or walk. In the US this can be very different. 

Health insurance being tied to employment was another things that caused me stress and frustration at times as well, since without employment, well....

In retrospect, what do you wish you had known about the USA?

There is no legally mandated minimum vacation time. The work culture is tough and very individualistic. 

What would you do differently next time and what would you tell others with the same idea?

Unless I was living in a city like New York or Boston, I would buy a car, as it gives a lot of freedom and independence. Fuel is cheap compared to Europe and distances are vast. 

What was the biggest culture shock? 

There is a large level of income inequality and there’s high levels of homelessness and addiction.  

What did you miss most from the UK?

Having a supply of wine gums and Haribo! But I also missed British sports culture and the quality of food/vegetables in my home country. A lot of food in the US has high fructose corn syrup and/or added sugar. 

Were there things you appreciated more about the UK while you were in the US?

Walkability, legally mandated time off, fresh food and cheap fruit/vegetables, mobile banking and bank transfers, most paperwork has been digitised in the UK and can be easily handled using gov.uk. 

What are the practicalities of living in the USA?

What was the most difficult rule to understand in the US?

States with different laws regarding tax, driving, alcohol, gambling etc. It can be quite confusing! 

How did you find a suitable place to live? Was it difficult?

I found a room to rent through Craigslist. It was straight forward although I did need a reference.

What was the working culture like? Was it different from the UK?

I worked for a small family run company. Quite a stressful environment and a high workload. Lots of interaction with the boss, some micromanagement, but it also allowed me flexibility that you don’t necessarily at a larger corporate company (I.e. taking holiday in advance as I needed to return to the UK to renew my visa). All decisions had to be approved by the boss. There was no progression/pathway for promotion, which was also one of my reasons for leaving - I came in to a high level position compared to others in a similar age/degree background, but more senior positions were filled by long-term staff and so promotion was only realistic if someone retired. No mandated holiday time, I earned 10 days of holiday time after 1 year at the company, increasing by 5 days each year at the company. It was a good stepping stone, but quite a toxic work environment and I missed the employer protections offered in Europe. I would consider returning to the US and working at a more senior level in a more competitive industry and location, as benefits are generally better to maintain employees (I.e more days off given by the company per year than in the UK).

What were the biggest differences in costs between the USA and the UK?

Fuel is significantly cheaper than Europe/UK, second hand cars are more expensive, rent and cost of living is more expensive in the US.

What have you learned about insurance, taxes and other financial obligations in the US?

Having to manually fill in a tax return and use tax company software. Generally tax returns are done automatically in the UK. 

Did you use local healthcare in the US and what did you notice? Was it similar or completely different?

I had a few experiences with the US healthcare system, but was able to get seen very quickly whenever problems arose. I had laser repair work done on my eyes, something that would have taken 6 months for an appointment in the UK, whereas I was seen within a week in the US. I had orthodontic work done in my first year in the US. It was expensive as it was only partially covered by my insurance, but I had been wearing braces for 5 years on the NHS with very slow/no improvement. My orthodontist in the US gave me a 1 year plan for completing my orthodontic work and was very proactive and communicated clearly. I have zero regrets and still enjoy my smile 10 years on! 

But.. next to this, the healthcare system was very confusing. I was afraid of getting sick and having to go to doctors when I was a student as I wasn't sure how much it would cost me. I knew a case of someone who didn't call an ambulance for their paralytic friend because they didn't know if they could afford it (>1000 dollars). I would definitely recommend sorting out good health insurance before you go. 

Are there specific issues or tips around 'safety' or 'health' that are useful for other people who are going to live or work in the US for a longer period of time to know?

Be aware of food quality, additives, and portion sizes - it is really easy to put on weight. And, unfortunately, gun safety is another thing to be aware of. 

Other things you want to share about your emigration?

I had to fly back to the UK to renew my visa, I couldn’t get it done in the US. So make sure you check how to do it, and perhaps you can combine it with a nice visit to your family and friends! 
 

How did you experience your expat life in the USA?

Did you develop any new hobbies or interests while living in the USA?

I pursued hiking, camping, climbing, and played many board games! 

Were there any projects or activities you were involved in that gave you a sense of fulfillment?

I volunteered at my local independent movie theatre and also at Habitat for Humanity (US organisation aimed at building affordable housing)

How did you balance work, relaxation and enjoying your new surroundings?

The US work culture and lack of employment rights means maintaining a work life balance is notoriously difficult, but it is important to schedule days off and plan solo outings or meet up with friends. 

Overall I had a great time in the US, and despite certain things, I still miss the country and my friends. As I said, maybe I'll go back some day, but first - Australia :). 

Motivation and experiences

Who is Maartje?

• Maartje Ruijgt used to be a nomad. She traveled and lived for longer periods of time all over the world (Mexico, Philippines, Malaysia). She worked on a ship for a while and ended up during the covid period in Canada. She feels at home in Canada and just got her permanent residency. She is here to stay.

What do people need to know about you to understand your emigration story?

• I always try to follow my heart and that has allowed me to explore all over the world as a nomad for 17 years. I got stuck in Canada due to Covid and finally got permanent residency after 3 ½ years.

Was there a specific moment or event that inspired you to leave the Netherlands?

• The boyfriend I was living with in the Netherlands wanted to quit everything and travel the world. We were very good travel buddies and had already made several long-distance trips together. Of course I went along, I didn't fancy being left alone in the Netherlands.

How did you prepare?

• From deciding to leaving took eight months. We rented a cottage, so it was mainly selling and/or giving away everything. Stored a few boxes of personal photos and books and we left the Netherlands with a backpack on December 5, 2007 by bus to Spain.

What does your life look like, what kind of work or activities make you feel like you are really ‘at home’ somewhere?

• I believe you are at home in yourself, the rest is a place somewhere in the world where you have a nice community and a cottage where in you feel safe and can unwind.

How does your daily routine differ from that in your home country?

• I don't think I have a daily routine like you might have in the Netherlands. I still live without a home and from day to day. For the last 10 years, I have worked a lot on expedition ships and when I was not on board, I travelled the world to visit friends.

Do you have any ideas about the future yet?

• Now that I finally got my permanent residency here in Canada I might go back one day after a regular life with a daily routine. No idea, I am not someone who has a lot of future plans. I see what comes my way and follow my heart.

Culture and social interactions

What was your first encounter with a local? And how did that go?

• I can remember many first encounters with local admirers and in any continent, country, community or ship, there is nothing more fun than meeting new people. In the end, everyone is a person with a life story shaped by the values and/or living conditions they grew up in. Not every experience is nice or beautiful, but always instructive.

Do you have any tips for meeting people?

• If your smile is met with a smile, step up to that person. Learn some local words and make a nice comment or ask a question. If the chemistry is there, you might get the most fun and informative conversations. You might be invited to their home and they might let you sleep on a bed for weeks. You never know what a connection can bring you, but always be wise and use your wits. Unfortunately, there are also those with wrong intentions.

What is the best or most inspiring thing about your emigration?

• I don't know if I am inspiring, you might have to ask others. I live as I live and that is perhaps different from what many people can imagine. Maybe I am brave or crazy? I hope to get everything out of life. After 17 years, I feel I have seen enough of the world and maybe now is the time to learn, say, knitting, gardening or running my own farm? Maybe I inspire others by always wanting to keep learning, understanding and growing as a person? I don't know, this is difficult question.

What is the funniest or most painful misunderstanding you have experienced because of language or cultural differences?

• I was teaching English in Mexico and a student said, the teacher has a nice butt. I was embarrassed, and asked what? The teacher has a nice butt, but pointed to my new boots. (Boots). Spoken language causes incredible misunderstandings. Hand and foot work is sometimes necessary, but also makes it very funny.
• When we are on expedition in the Arctic or Antarctica we have the most amazing fun, because as a team you carry a great responsibility together. Humour brings people from different cultures together. But I am also still very directly Dutch! In my experience, the Dutch have great direct humour and communication and I haven't come across many other nationalities with whom we share this. Because of this, I also really created or got many misunderstandings in my worldly life and I was not always aware of this.  

Have you adopted local customs?

• I think you always pick up a local custom if you really want to emigrate yourself and get to know another culture. Maybe it's a local recipe or a new levelling experience that gives you a different view of the world. I still fold my plastic bags like they do in the Philippines, but I also think my time in Asia changed me a lot. People live in poverty, and I experienced and saw that with my own eyes. At the same time, there is still so much warmth, love and joy. I think these experiences and perhaps many others have made me very humble.

How do locals react to the fact that you now live and work in Canada?

• Generally always very welcoming, but to get real friendships is sometimes challenging. You come into their world and you start adapting to the environment. That's not always easy. Plus you don't yet have a history together or a shared life and friends. On the other hand, you are embarking on a new adventure together and that can also be very bonding. I have made deep friendships around the world and I know that even if I don't see them for years, you just pick up where you left off. Very beautiful and valuable.

What is your favourite local tradition/festival?

• Oh there are so many. Every culture is so special. Experiencing the Hindu holidays or Chinese New Year is very special. But also the Halloween here in Canada. That's what makes a country or culture so unique and special, its holidays and traditions. Especially when you get to experience them among the locals. On a trip in Buthan, we got to attend a ceremony with the religious leaders in the palace courtyard. That was very impressive.

Are there any customs in social interaction that you found difficult to understand or had to get used to?

• No, not really. I think maybe I always go into a new situation very openly. If I don't understand it, I ask for an explanation. If it's a word or an experience I don't understand. And if it doesn't feel right, then maybe I don't engage in the social interaction.

How does friendship here differ from how it is perceived in your home country?

• For me, a friendship differs by country. I still have some very dear wonderful girlfriends in the Netherlands, but now also all over the world. I believe in the expression, you meet someone for a reason, a period or for life.

Challenges and growth

Have there been moments when you had doubts about your choice/emigration, or what disappointed you?

• I actually only had 1 moment of doubt and that was when we had just arrived in Mexico. We had left the Netherlands and in Barcelona we took a one-way ticket on a cruise ship as guests to start our new life and adventure in Mexico. The two weeks on the ship were just great fun, but ashore in a motel room the realisation dawned on me what I had done. Gave up my entire safe fixed life. I had nothing left except the backpack with some clothes and love. I also realised that going back was not an option for me and I remembered that I had also always wanted to study cultural anthropology. Why not travel the world and see what comes my way. It has certainly not been an easy journey to land here in Canada, but it has all been worth it.

In retrospect, what would you have liked to know about Canada beforehand?

• I knew Canada for several years before I got stuck in Canada. I think each province has its own history and culture. I really like and learn about the lifestyle they have here in New Brunswick or the Atlantic Maritimes, where you live closely with nature and the seasons and are very focused on being self-sufficient. Canadians are very friendly, but it is an incredibly complicated and laborious immigration process to get to permanent residency.

What would you do differently next time and what would you give others with the same idea?

• I wouldn't want to do anything differently. The choice for me was to marry a Canadian man or I had to go through the Atlantic Immigration programme. I chose the latter. It was not only emotionally tough and you have to have some money financially. It takes a lot of patience, but it is a good programme and I am very grateful that it allows me to live in Canada.

What was the biggest culture shock?

• I don't think there is a real big culture shock from the Netherlands. Life is different, but we are both Western. There are a lot of Dutch people living in Canada. There are even Dutch products in the supermarket sometimes.

What skill did you never think you would need but have developed?

• You have to be able to improvise and not be averse to doing a chore in your household. It's life is more basic here, from months of shovelling snow or keeping yourself warm with a wood stove. Chances are that electricity and therefore the use of your water pump will be down in a storm. It really is survival at times, but then again I live in the middle of nowhere in New Brunswick Canada. I believe if you're more into urban areas life maintenance must be easier.

How do you cope with homesickness/loneliness/what do you miss most?

• I myself am unfamiliar with the feelings of homesickness and loneliness. I think if you have these feelings, you can easily find a solution here. You can always go back to the Netherlands or if you feel lonely, try to connect with locals. If you can't find a connection or friendships here, make yourself a member of the Dutch club or an expat association. In Malaysia, for example, I joined the Dutch hockey club and organised Sinterklaas for the Embassy. I miss Dutch food like endive stampot and of course the bitterballen, but that always makes a visit to the Netherlands very tasty and something to look forward to.

Are there things you appreciate more about your homeland now that you are here?

• What I have always appreciated about the Netherlands is how well organised everything is such as public transport and the ability to get on a bike.

Practical rules and issues in Canada

How do you deal with bureaucracy in your new country?

• I don't think Canada has more bureaucracy than the Netherlands. They ask for a lot of data and documents here if you want to immigrate. It is a long and complicated process. I hired an immigration lawyer and she helped me tremendously, but it was not cheap.

What was the hardest rule to understand/follow?

• It's actually quite simple for me. To live and work in Canada, I had to marry a Canadian or follow an immigration programme. These programmes vary by province and it is best to contact an immigration advice centre that are even set up specifically for Dutch people who want to immigrate to Canada. There is also on Facebook groups for Dutch people in Canada where you can ask questions.

How did you find a suitable place to live?

• Just like in the Netherlands, through the internet, social media and through connections I made here.

Was it difficult? What are the biggest cost differences between this country and your home country?

• Right now, living in Canada is very expensive. Living costs are similar to the Netherlands, but prices of groceries and petrol have gone up incredibly here in New Brunswick. To keep costs down, I would like to eventually start my own hobby farm. That way I can grow my own vegetables and fruits and keep some chickens for eggs etc. Most of the friends I have here live as close to nature as possible and try to be self-sufficient as much as possible.

What did you learn about insurance, taxes and other financial obligations abroad?

• I have to figure this out now, as I have just been told that I am therefore allowed to stay here permanently.

Have you used local healthcare (GP, specialist, dentist, etc.) and what strikes you?

• Healthcare is definitely different from the Netherlands and not comparable in quality. Healthcare in the Netherlands is very well organised, reliable and accessible. Make sure you take out good travel insurance when you leave the Netherlands. I myself have been insured with Joho for years and can 100% recommend them. They give you the best advice and I have also always appreciated the fast, helpful and open communication and care from them.