Interview with an Expat – Carrie Kellenberger

Why do some people pack up their lives and move abroad? Behind each journey from resident to expat is a story, always unique and often fascinating.

One standout of an expat is Carrie Kellenberger, who left her life in Canada to move to China and teach English for a year. Her year of living abroad has turned into eight, with no end on the horizon. Carrie graciously agreed to answer some questions about the why’s and how’s of transitioning from citizen at home to expat abroad. Here’s what she had to say:

Sabina: You’ve lived abroad for almost eight years. When you left your home in Canada, did you ever think you would be gone this long?

Carrie: Not at all! I figured I’d be gone for a year at the most. I really had to psych myself up to leave by telling myself that if I didn’t like China, I could always come home. Within weeks of my arrival, I knew I wouldn’t be heading home any time soon, and when I met my husband a year later, well, you know how the story ends. I’m still here and I still love every minute of my life in Asia.

Sabina: What took you overseas in the first place?

Carrie: Everyone asks me that question, but honestly, after all these years, it’s still one of the toughest questions to answer. I moved overseas for a lot of reasons, but I think it mainly had to do with my fascination with Asia. I’ve read countless travel books about Asia, but my favorite book, also written by one of my favorite authors, Pearl. S. Buck, is an autobiography entitled My Several Worlds. That book provided some of the inspiration I needed to embark on my own journey of self-discovery. That’s why my first web site is entitled My Several Worlds.

Obviously I was also looking for adventure and I was intrigued by the idea of teaching and traveling. I chose Changchun in Northeast China because of its remote location. I didn’t want to go to an overly Westernized city and I’ve never regretted my decision. It really forced me to get involved and learn about Chinese culture.

Sabina: I’ve heard China can be a difficult country to live in. You lived in Changchun for three years! How hard was it to adjust?

Carrie: I used to equate living in Changchun to living in the Wild West. I haven’t been back there since 2006, but in 2003, there were less than 300 ‘foreigners’ in a city of 7 million. I had never been in a city that big. Moreover, everyday activities like banking, shopping, and ordering food were a complete mystery. I remember walking down a market street on my second day in China and being absolutely terrified at all the people who were staring at me. China really taught me how to face my fears and deal with things head on.

Culture shock is something that everyone suffers from, but it’s how you deal with it that makes all the difference between leaving and hanging in long term. I wrote about my experiences in dealing with culture shock on My Several Worlds. Two things that helped me adjust to life in China were a regular exercise routine and a desire to get involved as quickly as possible. I started Chinese lessons and tai chi classes, for example, within a month of my arrival.

Sabina: After a few years, you made a career switch from teaching. How did you segue into writing and photography?

Carrie: Asia really is a land of opportunity and since I moved here, I’ve tried my hand at a lot of different activities. I’m not a wallflower by any means, and teaching was just one of the things that I enjoyed when I first moved to Asia.

My husband and I moved to Taiwan with Reach To Teach in March 2006 and we were placed with a terrific school. I spent about two years at that school and during that time, I decided to move my journals online. Moving into the world of publishing seemed like a natural step for me as a writer, and when a blogger friend offered me a chance to interview at a publishing company in Taipei, I leaped at the opportunity. My writing on My Several Worlds and my experience on-stage and in the recording studio were key in landing that job, and I ended up working for that company for two years before making the decision to go freelance.

My photography evolved a little more slowly. I started Taiwan Photographers in 2007 with the intention of creating a small community of photographers in Taiwan and over the years, I’ve met with a number of them and they have all helped me with my art. Today, we have over 1,300 members, both expat and local photographers, and a bunch of us meet up once a month for photo walks, thanks to talented pro photographer Craig Ferguson. Craig is an incredibly supportive friend and he has spent an immense amount of time with me over the years. He has taught me almost everything I know about photography.

Sabina: You’ve been in Taiwan for several years now. What is its appeal for you?

Carrie: Taiwan, simply put, is a wonderful place to live. The cost of living is low, my husband and I are able to save money, we have plenty of time to travel, and the island itself is a captivating blend of East and West. There aren’t many cities in the world that boast exotic markets and temples alongside the conveniences of a semi-Western lifestyle. My husband and I don’t need a lot of Western amenities, but it’s nice to have the choice. The shopping is awesome, as is the food. The people here are friendly and welcoming, and even after four years here, I’m still amazed at everything that Taiwan has to offer as a travel destination.

Sabina: After all of your years abroad, when you return to your home country of Canada does it feel like home – or is it in a sense a foreign country to you now?

Carrie: I think I’m more patriotic than I was before. It’s hard to really understand how truly unique your home country is until you have something to compare it to. Although I don’t live in Canada, I’m extremely proud to be Canadian and I absolutely love coming home. With that said, a few weeks is usually enough and then I start longing for Asia again. I like the hustle-bustle of Asian cities.

Sabina: What are your plans for the future, or is it wide open?

Carrie: The one thing I’ve learned over the past eight years is that life is transient. I know we’ll still be traveling, but where we’ll be and what we’ll be doing is something that waits to be seen.