Fred is our Senior Business Development Manager at Santa Fe Relocation Thailand. Fred has been living in Thailand for the last eight years and considers Thailand a home away from home.
Through his career with international relocation companies across Europe, Asia and Africa he has become a trusted voice in international mobility. Below is his take on lessons he learnt navigating his personal and professional life as an expat.
My experiences across the seven seas’, reshaped how I show up personally and professionally. In my early years of transition, I lacked the cultural wisdom to feel like I belonged. Outside your country, you will always remain a little bit of an outsider. That difference is what keeps you aware, humble and open to others way of life.
“Respecting a particular culture is not about bending backwards or erasing who you are. It is about setting boundaries, acknowledging that a person’s cultural background is a fundamental part of their identity, just like yours.”
20 years ago I landed on the beautiful Madagascar island, known for its baobab forests, pristine beaches and a lingering fragrance of Vanilla. I arrived in my late 20’s from a small countryside of France, chasing a love story and a professional career that has travelled three continents and five countries. As I reminisce, I smile about how similar yet different each of those transitions have been.
From being a native French to a “Vazaha” which is a Malagasy word for a “white French native” to now a “farang” which is how white foreigners are addressed in Thailand. Technically anyone white is put in the same basket irrespective of how similar or different we are (that is our cross to bear!). My love for French wine and cheese has not diminished but my experiences have moulded me into a layered human being– a human of the diaspora, someone who can settle for a spicy tom yam in the middle of the night or a pad ki mow for breakfast. If I had to re-do this again, I will still choose this path, but with more wisdom perhaps.
“20 years later, I am still learning to navigate my personal and professional life while living in an alien country.”
As I sip my cafe Noisette and look outside my window to an endless stretch of skyscrapers, I find myself revisiting fragments of my life, my senses infused with flashes of memory of people, food, conversations that have quietly shaped me. The versions of me I have carried forward have never been the same.
Even today the Bangkok skyline mesmerises the little boy inside me from the countryside. I have seen the city grow taller, wider, and modern. I see a blurred image of beautiful Madagascar but poverty lacing lives. I see the stunning architecture of Hungary but billboards reminding “for every one foreign worker, one domestic job is taken”. Spain’s rich heritage, culture, food, festivals filled with laughter, warmth and also arguments. These kaleidoscopic images of life could not have been possible without my travels. It continues to feed into my curiosity each time.
Thailand, popular for being a land of smiles also gets you thinking what lies behind those smiles that seem so flawless. When you switch between a personal and professional circle, where social dynamic changes, decoding what is behind that smile sometimes becomes a whole new skill.
Thai people in general are polite and dislike controversy so it took me a while to understand that a smile may not always mean agreement. Compared to my European counterparts, the feedback from my Thai colleagues may be indirect and subtle but often gets me thinking deeply. Understanding that subtlety is key to building trust and navigating professional relationships effectively in a new culture.
“So amidst all this, my resilience grew, to not just survive but thrive personally and professionally”
For there is one thing that cuts across cultures. Cultural sensitivity. I learnt to read cultural cues, listen to the unspoken silence and tune in to my surroundings. Intention and respect are key when building professional relationships. Firm when needed, polite when not. The baton on my hand is no longer about racing to the finish line. I am still learning to soften my grip, when to slow down and when to let others lead. Living across diverse cultures taught me one thing, not every race is meant to be run at full speed. In a culture where harmony is valued, listening and understanding is as important as appreciation.
The essence of home for me is no longer belonging to one place, but carrying one along with me. By the time we reach home, our landscape would have changed. People, places may no longer be there, our feelings may change – we would have changed! So, when we learn to embrace diversity, we will fit in right away.
“If I was to give one piece of advice for expats it’s to stay firm in who you are but be flexible on how you adapt.”
In a country where you look or sound different, you will always be noticed more. Being likeable creates a strong pull. How your presence makes others feel is key to navigating relationships across cultures.
In the expat culture, you will often find yourself surrounded by different nationalities. A simple coffee experience may turn into a plethora of cultural exchange empowering mind and intellect. The energy is palpable. I feel grateful to have chosen a path that started with love, fueled with curiosity and enriched with cultural exchanges .
Looking back, I can say making the best of what surrounds you, will nurture and weave the most beautiful patterns in your life story.
Your family will enjoy the perks. Enjoy the ride, wherever it takes you.
Get in touch with Fred today to discover how he can help you navigate your own relocation journey.