Ex·pa·tri·ate: (n) a person who lives outside their native country.
Each year, CORT Destination Services supports thousands of individuals and families through the challenges inherent in relocating for work. Our Destination Services Consultants help assignees discover great neighborhoods, find the right home, choose the best school, and get settled into their new community with less stress and more confidence.
We occasionally invite an expatriate to share their thoughts about the experience of moving to, and living in, the United States. Our latest Expat Interview is from Christina Stoll-Shewmaker, a German national living in Frisco, a suburb of Dallas, Texas. We hope you find Christina’s remarks to be both fun and informative.
Name:
Christina Stoll-Shewmaker
Nationality:
German with a US passport since 2014
Industry that brought you to the U.S.:
My husband’s job. Sales of German packaging machines.
Are you alone on this assignment?
No, with my husband but no children.
Is this your first international assignment? If not, where else have you lived?
I have lived in Indianapolis, Indiana from 1994-1996.
Was the decision to move to the U.S. easy or difficult for you and your family?
It was both, as my husband is US citizen, but it was very hard for me to leave my German family and friends behind.
What is one American tourist attraction that you have visited?
Grand Canyon
What is your favorite American saying or slang word?
“Y’all”
What word or saying from your native language do you find yourself using often because it just doesn’t translate well to American English?
“Gesundheit”
Is there anything that you really miss and can’t find in U.S. stores?
German bread, pretzels, baked goods. However, in the meantime, you can almost find anything from Germany in the Dallas area. You just need to know where…
What is your favorite American food?
Chicken Wings/Baby Back Ribs
Fill in the blank. Americans are:
Very nice, friendly but sometimes superficial.
Sometimes I wish Americans:
Would be more culturally educated.
What has surprised you (good or bad) about life in the U.S.?
Affordable lifestyle vs. Europe.
The best thing about being an expatriate is:
To experience another culture.
The worst thing about being an expatriate is:
Missing home.
If you could relocate anywhere in the world, where would you go?
California
Imagine that a good friend just called to tell you that he/she has accepted an assignment in the U.S. What advice might you have for them as they prepare to relocate?
Making sure the relocation package is generous and covers the needs of the family and spouse, too.
