In part two of our Expert Expats series we interviewed Kris Cunningham, author of The Panama Adventure. Kris is a retired RN who lives in Panama with her husband Joel, a talent in the fields of music and construction. In her blog she discusses the adventures of life in Panama and why she decided to make the big move and stay. Read on to see how she made it as an expat!
Kris moved from Sarasota Florida to David, in Chiriqui Panama a couple of years ago partly for financial reasons and plans to stay. While she misses her family back home, she and her husband are not only making a new home in their new country but most enjoy their new community and great friends they’ve made along the way in their new expat life.
Read Kris’s interview:
What did you find to be the most difficult thing about moving to a new country?
Learning a new language.
Do you speak Spanish? If so, when did you learn it? If not, does that present difficulties?
Yes, well enough to communicate. I took intensive lessons for 6 months before arriving. I have friends here who speak no English and that has helped enormously. I think it would be frustrating and isolating to be unable to speak the local language.
Where have you noticed stark cultural differences?
Dress, Punctuality, Religion, Traditions, Work Ethics and Social Situations
To elaborate – people tend to dress up more to go out, even to the grocery store. Shorts and casual wear are unusual. Punctuality is very relaxed, or sometimes nonexistent. This is a very Christian country but religion is a personal matter. If you follow another path people are very accepting of your choices. Traditions – it has been interesting to learn about different holidays, country history, family traditions, etc. Work ethics – I don’t see the pressure here. People work hard and long hours but they laugh at work, seem more relaxed, and there isn’t the drive to be productive or lose your job like in the US. Social situations – there is a much less business like manner in general. People ask how you are, inquire after your family, send greetings to your other family members, discuss the weather, life in general, etc before getting down to whatever business is at hand. Hanging out and enjoying friends and family is more important than work.
Do you have a favorite website or blog about your country?
Well… I do have my own blog…
What is your best tip for people moving to or visiting your country?
Be kind to others, patient, friendly, and learn the language.
Is the cost of living higher or lower than the last country you lived in and how has that made a difference in your life?
It costs us about a third of what it did in Florida. It is the difference between living comfortably with some discretionary money and having to work to survive every month.
Have you run into any bureaucratic, insurance, tax or medical issues as an expat?
No. We have a very simple life. We have not bought property, tried to start a business, or needed medical care.
What advice would you give expats to help them fit into their new community?
Learn the language.
Keep life simple.
Get to know your neighbors and make friends with the locals.
Bring your patience and sense of humor for those times when things are frustrating or confusing. Everything always manages to work itself out in the end.
Remember that you are an ambassador representing your home country, and a guest in your new country. Stay respectful and positive.
When and why did you start your blog?
I wanted to update friends and family about what was going on and a blog was easier than writing separate emails to everyone. It was also a way to record my experience and share some of my photographs. I never imagined it would grow and develop the following it has now.
