Expats and Aliens
Expats and Aliens is a resource guide for expats living overseas, travelers, and would-be expats get.
Expat-life
Cambodia is an Expat’s Paradise
There are few places around the world where it is so easy to assimilate as Cambodia. A number of things make it an expat paradise from the low cost of living and easy visa regulations to the relaxed attitude of the locals and widespread use of the English language, it it is hard to find any other place where expat life comes so easily. Check out some things that make life in Cambodia easier than living in countries like Vietnam or Thailand.
Widespread use of the English Language
As an American, or citizen of any other country where English is the first language, you will find communicating in Cambodia to be relatively easy. The Cambodian people have put a high priority on learning the English language over the last 15 years and as a result, a large number of the younger population speak a reasonable amount; as do the majority of the people working in the tourist industries. Unlike neighboring Thailand or Vietnam, you will rarely encounter communication difficulties throughout your daily routine.
Setting up things like bank accounts, internet accounts, cable accounts, etc: is easy as you can almost always find an employee working there who has a decent command of English. The same goes for pharmacies, clinics, grocery stores, and more. The majority of the expats I know living in Vietnam often result to crude drawings or bringing along a Vietnamese friend to accomplish these same tasks in Ho Chi Minh City.
Surprisingly, the few places where you may find it difficult to find an English speaking employee are the government ministries, such as the Ministry of Transportation or your neighborhood Sangkat where all formal contracts are stamped. The good thing is that you rarely, if ever, need to visit one of these places. Any service you need to obtain from on these ministries can usually be done by visiting a travel agency and having them handle the necessary paperwork for you. Things like visa extensions and driver’s licenses can all be handled by one of the many travel agencies spread throughout most major cities in Cambodia.
Things Being an Expat has Taught Me
The life of an expat is a strange thing. You’re surrounded by people you don’t understand and who don’t understand you. It can easily become exasperating when trying to accomplish simple day-to-day activities. The problem is, getting angry or frustrated during just about any situation in a foreign land is never a good idea and only tends to make things worse.
Living as an expat I have learned numerous things about myself, other people, my native country, and my new homeland. Most of these are really life lessons and they will serve me well whether I continue on as an expat or move back to the U.S.A.
They Don’t Understand Why Your are Angry and They Never Will
There is no point getting all bent out of shape and hollering or yelling about things. You have to understand that things work differently in your new land. Just because 3:00pm meant 3:00pm back in America, that doesn’t mean it works that way here.
Appointments and meeting times are mere suggestions. They don’t understand why you are angry because they blocked your motorcycle in when they parked their car, besides you’re supposed to know they probably left it in neutral so you could just roll it out of the way. Rather than getting enraged about little things and acting like a fool, learn to adapt to a new set of rules. You can’t change the country, either learn to like it and love it or get the hell outta there.
HOW TO AVOID THE EXPAT GUT
If you’ve spent much time abroad, you’ve probably seen him; that humungous, bloated old expat waddling down the street. Usually wearing a sweat soaked tank top or, even more often, having forgone the shirt entirely to release his ever expanding belly from the constraints of that XXL.
That’s the expat gut and it could be yours too.
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Go Local
Unless you live in Central America, you have probably noticed that most of the locals are skinnier than you. This is because Western food is generally fattier and much unhealthier than Asian or other developing nation diets. Meat is expensive so most locals tend to eat a lot of vegetables and there is a noticeable lack of cheese and fatty dairy products as well. Unfortunately, many expats take their native tastes along with them and search out unhealthy western foods in their new home. If you take a gander into most expats’ fridges, you will see a plethora of western foods and snacks. The fact that Americans are fatter than most other nations is not breaking news (although it is nice to hear we have finally been surpassed by Mexico as the fattest nation in the world. Go America!) Since most expats do distinctly less exercise in their new countries, you can expect to gain weight over time if you don’t adjust your diet. Don’t go seeking out large western style portions for every meal. Instead, try eating at local restaurants. Not only will it be easier on your pocket, you’ll notice that the portions are smaller and the food is healthier.