Thanks for picking up our first e-book! We moved to Jamaica three years ago, and when we did so, we had no idea that we’d be writing anything like this. In fact, we thought the transition would be an easy one. After all, Francis is Jamaican and Dale was born in Trinidad, so how difficult could it be? What we found surprised us, but when we spoke to others who were making the same kind of transition, we discovered that they were also muddling along without any kind of structured support. At the same time, we were excited to find that there were lots of resources available about relocations in general … just nothing specific about moving to Jamaica. As we made our many mistakes, we thought it would be a good idea to document what we were learning. After all, Francis had started a blog to help Jamaicans moving back home—and it’s currently read by up to 200 people per day. See http://francismove.blogspot.com Dale is a trained counselor, so her background in the helping profession smoothed our transition and led her to start informally assisting expats who are making the cultural shift to life in Jamaica. She has started a business to help corporations’ expat employees make the adjustment.
This e-book is intended for anyone contemplating a life in Jamaica. If the country weren’t such an attractive destination, and if there weren’t so many challenges, then there would be no need for this kind of help. The facts, however, give even the most optimistic some cause for concern—which may explain why you’re reading this e-book rather than simply dreaming about what you’ll be doing when you get here! The beaches, the mountains, the culture, the music, and the food will still be here after you’ve read this e-book and made some smart choices to prepare yourself for your move. Kudos to you for considering your decision carefully. After all, living in any developing country with higher-than-average crime and poverty should give anyone pause. Be prepared to embark on a journey that will forever change your outlook on life! If you decide to come join us on our island paradise, see you here in Jamaica.
-andFrancis and Dale Wade P.S. This e-book is available as a podcast from the following URL: http://transitionsunshine.info/podcast-for-10-12-mistakes/
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The Top 10 1/2 Mistakes
The Top 10 1/2 Mistakes that People Make When Moving to Jamaica Any decision to live in Jamaica is an exciting one. As an island in the Caribbean, the country stands out for its reggae music, vibrant culture, worldclass athletes, and physical beauty. Its reputation far outweighs its actual size—a mere 146 miles long with only 2.6 million inhabitants. Whether you’re a Jamaican returning home or an expat looking to immigrate, you’ve probably already formed a picture in your mind. Chances are good that the reason you’re reading this e-book is that your mental picture has given you some cause for concern. What is there to be concerned about? Primarily, concerns boil down to two interrelated causes: crime and poverty. As of 2008, Jamaica’s homicide rate stands among the top three in the world among countries that are not at war. Jamaica has a significant underclass, a relatively small middle class, and high unemployment. Begging is widespread; thousands live in desperate conditions in shacks, and almost a hundred squatter communities teem with people eking out a living. Only half of the population has access to running water in their homes. The poverty isn’t hidden away from sight in quiet corners. It’s in your face, loud, and an ever-present part of daily culture. If you move to Jamaica, it’s quite likely that you’ll form personal relationships with many people who are in unfortunate circumstances. Adjusting to this reality is part of what it takes to make a successful move here.
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This, I imagine, is what you want to accomplish. If you’ve read this far, you probably have some kind of interest in learning from the thousands who have moved to Jamaica before you. While this e-book is specifically directed toward helping an expat move here, it may help you give advice to someone who’s thinking of making the move. If you’re a Jamaican returning to live here, you may also find portions of this e-book useful, but you should probably spend more time in my blog Moving Back to Jamaica. When I (Francis) moved back to Jamaica in 2005, I had lived in the U.S. for over 20 years. While I’ve done a great deal of writing about the experience in my blog, it’s my wife, Dale, who has become the resource for expats making a transition to Jamaica. She now makes a living advising corporate expats who move themselves and their families to work here. Together, we co-authored two e-books—My Move to Jamaica: Beginnings and My Move to Jamaica: Resources—that we recommend for those who are seriously looking to move here. The e-books cover everything that we think a family needs to make a successful transition (you can order them at My Move to Jamaica. Between the two of us, we’ve interviewed over a hundred expats in Jamaica, and this book is based on a combination of their experiences and our own. We ourselves made many of the top 10_ mistakes, and we believe that if you avoid even a single one, then your time spent reading this will be worth it.
First Mistake:
Second Mistake:
In all of our interviews with those who have already moved to Jamaica, on thing they never say is that it was easy. Yet, many start out with that assumption. Why so?
Landing in Jamaica will take your breath away. While the inside of the airplane will feel quite familiar if you’re a frequent traveler, you’ll know that you’re in unfamiliar territory from the minute you walk up the Jetway into Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston or Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.
Believing “This Is Going to Be Easy”
There’s an overwhelming tendency for those moving here to underestimate the difficulty of the transition they must make. Whether it’s the beauty of the country, the music, the people, the culture, or the food … any of these things can help create romantic notions that are waiting to be dispelled at the first sign of the first hurricane. We’ve found that people make the common mistake of thinking that life in Jamaica is similar to the life they’ve lived in other countries. They assume that it’s just a prettier, more tropical version or something they already know. They do shallow research, don’t avail themselves of free resources, and fail to talk with Jamaicans or former expats. An issue as simple as the permission needed to bring pets into Jamaica comes as a surprise to many (this can be a problem, depending on the country of origin). People end up spending more time, money, and energy on the transition than they should (everyone does, to some degree). In the worst case, they end up judging the move a failure, and they return to their home countries as quickly as they can. While inspiration is important, and falling in love with Jamaica is quite easy, making an effective move means becoming a close friend with as much truthful information as you can. Picking up this e-book was an excellent start, and you’re far ahead of those who moved here before you—and more likely to succeed as a result.
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Thinking “I’ll Figure It Out When I Get There”
As you make your way through immigration and customs and toward your transportation, your mind will immediately start to register the differences and compare them to what you think is “normal.” Welcome to a new culture. You’re about to undergo a transition that involves your age, sex, race, nationality, profession, language, relationships—all the pieces that make up “you.” Your mind is about to spend the next few years racing to reconcile what you see with what you know. The sheer pace and volume of differences will keep you fully occupied. The more you do to prepare yourself before you come, the less work you’ll give your mind to do. Give yourself the gift of advance preparation. It will cushion the inevitable culture shock. To learn what you can discover while you prepare to make your move, visit My Move to Jamaica.
Third Mistake:
Fourth Mistake:
As part of your preparation, if possible, make an advance trip to Jamaica to get ready for your actual move here.
While you may be eminently employable in your native land, chances are good that Jamaica is smaller than your home country. Smaller countries have more basic needs than bigger ones, and specialists in any discipline may have a difficult time finding work if their specialty isn’t understood, required, or appreciated here.
Not Making a Pre-Arrival Trip
Even if you’ve visited Jamaica before, traveling here this time around will be very different. Whereas your prior trip might have been the source of your inspiration, this one needs to be about business. Where will you live? Where will you work? What budget do you need? How will you ensure your safety? Importantly, after a trip to local stores, you’ll have an idea of what to bring for yourself and your household, what to bring to do business, and what to leave behind. This information will save you thousands of U.S. dollars (or its equivalent). Also, you’ll know which items are necessary to work and live in Jamaica. Beyond the dealings you must have with the government, you can set up accounts with banks, utilities, and phone companies. Starting this activity early will save a LOT of time. . The pre-arrival trip will also help you appreciate the magnitude of the cultural differences you’re likely to face. It will help you understand the amount of energy required to deal with the inevitable culture shock that could make or break your plans. For help in conducting an effective pre-arrival trip to Jamaica, purchase our e-book at My Move to Jamaica.
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The Top 10 1/2 Mistakes
Having No Employable Skills
As a result, you may be forced to go back to being a generalist in your chosen profession. Or you may become a specialist in a different area that’s more applicable to life here in Jamaica. For example, a doctor who specializes in a disease that’s never seen here may become a generalist for a while before deciding to specialize in tropical diseases. Also important is the need to understand the latest laws regarding work permits. These laws always seem to be changing. For example, in 2008 there was an increase in work permit fees from under US$500 to over US$1,500. Many come to Jamaica assuming that they’ll be allowed to work, only to find that gaining permission is much harder than they thought. The key is to do your research before coming here, and use the pre-arrival trip(s) and the Internet to full advantage.
Fifth Mistake:
Sixth Mistake:
Anyone who moves to Jamaica is likely to be shocked at the price you must pay to stay in touch.
My wife and I are amazed at the number of emails we get that follow this theme:
For example, long distance calls cost up to US $0.20 per minute. FedEx starts at US$40 per letter.
I came to Jamaica on vacation and fell in love with a nice man. He says he has his own business, and that if I move here to live with him, he’ll take care of me. He’s building a house that I haven’t seen yet, and I’m in the middle of packing my belongings, but I was wondering if I should sell my house and bring all my belongings with me …
Not Leveraging Technology
The key is to use the latest and cheapest Internet technologies to make phone calls to international countries, send email to friends and family, and keep up with the latest news and information. However, too many expats come to Jamaica without the software and hardware skills to set up the simplest MagicJack or Skype phone device. The mistake they make is assuming that someone will be here in Jamaica to help them. Your best bet is to gain the necessary skills before coming here, and to spend a few hours learning about VOIP, DSL, Skype, email, and other communication technologies. The savings are so incredibly significant that the classes will pay for themselves many times over. All it takes is a single emergency back home to appreciate the value of having these skills and tools at your fingertips.
Believing that “He’ll Take Care of Me”
I, for one, don’t doubt that most Jamaican men in this situation are sincere, but the advice I’ve wanted to give (but never do) is that sincerity is just not enough. The cultural transition that a woman undergoes in the above circumstances is likely to be severely underestimated. At some point, when the honeymoon is over, she comes to realize that the romance of a vacation is quite different from the reality of living in a developing country in which some 30 percent of the population is either unemployed or underemployed. She needs to understand that the Jamaican man probably doesn’t understand where she’s coming from and the life she’s used to living. The best approach is for her to take responsibility for herself in every way, and assume the worst case: that he only wants her to come to Jamaica to get his hands on a green card to leave the island and to take her money. While this is an extreme stance, and it applies to only a minority of cases, I think it’s a good idea to decide what will happen if the relationship sours and she ends up alone in a foreign land. In other words, she needs a 24/7 contingency plan to take care of herself.
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Seventh Mistake:
Eighth Mistake:
There are two kinds of companies that bring expats to Jamaica: local companies and multinationals.
A widespread demonstration or riot hits Kingston, and the news travels abroad until it reaches a couple who are thinking of moving to Jamaica.
Trusting that “The Company Will Take Care of Me”
By and large, multinationals do a better job of providing the support elements that expats need to be successful in a transition. Local companies typically have much less experience at providing transition assistance. They don’t understand why expats would have a difficult time—“After all, we’re an English-speaking country!” In either case, expats should assume that they have to take care of themselves, and that the company’s bureaucracy will not fill all their needs and may even be an obstacle at times. They should leave nothing to chance, and they should seek to clarify gaps in expectations wherever they occur. Most companies (local or global) want to spend as little as possible, often missing the big picture and playing the game of being “penny-wise and poundfoolish.” Expats should assume that they might not get everything they’re promised, and they should be able to deal with the worst-case scenario. In the case of a family, coping with such unwanted outcomes will require the skills of both husband and wife. They should never relax into thinking that things will work out on their own.
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The Top 10 1/2 Mistakes
Thinking that “I Can Always Hide in My Home”
They’ve already accepted the job and are quite frightened, so they console themselves with the thought that they can always “hunker down” at home and minimize contact with the outside world. The trailing spouse, who is a woman in the vast majority of cases, withdraws into what’s called the “expat bubble.” This has predictable consequences—Jamaica never becomes a new home, and the countdown “until we get to go back home” starts after their first month on the island. While some expats do exercise this option, I recommend against it. Studies show that expats who fail to integrate into daily life in their new countries are more likely to fail the assignment and return early. Here in Kingston, many think that it takes no small amount of courage to be able to drive around town, interact with locals, and do the daily shopping, banking, and other errands. I think it takes more clever planning and steady practice than anything else, but the fear that some wives feel while living in Jamaica is real—and very powerful.
Ninth Mistake:
Not Realizing that Jamaican Patois is a Foreign Language While Jamaica is ostensibly an English-speaking country, a brief search of YouTube clips reveals that the lingua franca, Jamaican Patois, is a language by itself. Although it’s a spoken language that’s not taught in schools, it’s the language of the streets— and the only way to fully enter into Jamaican life is to practice and speak it. Luckily, it has definite English roots, although this is of no help when trying to get directions while driving 100 miles outside of Kingston. The key here is to immerse yourself in it as quickly as possible and gain maximum exposure. Patois speakers are able to access discounts at the market, develop friendships with everyday Jamaicans, and learn the ins and outs of the culture that make living here such a fascinating experience.
Tenth Mistake:
Believing Too Few Sources of Information Too Quickly The person who relies solely on a single firsthand account, the latest news report, something they overheard about the quality of the marijuana, or a few Bob Marley songs is likely to miss the big picture. There’s a lot of information available about Jamaica— much of it contradictory—and it’s important to review multiple sources of information before arriving at a conclusion. Life here is a complex blend of extremes that must be experienced in their totality to paint an accurate picture. For example, I wrote a blog post some time ago entitled “The Top 7 Reasons that Make Jamaica a Tough Country to Move To.” It was followed up a few days later with “Reasons Why Moving Back to Jamaica is Easy.” The key here is to keep an open mind. Always.
Ten-Point-Fifth Mistake: Thinking It’s Impossible
The bottom line that my wife and I communicate to potential expats is that a fulfilling life here is NOT impossible at all … in fact, it’s quite doable. This is not a country to wander about without a plan, or with less than full awareness. It takes a variety of skills that are just not needed in developed countries or in countries that have no history of violent, plantation slavery. The key is not to be led to thinking that living here is only for a handful of brave souls. There are thousands of expats living here successfully, and many have decided to make Jamaica their home indefinitely. They’ve learned what it takes, and they’ve armed themselves with the necessary knowledge and insight.
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More Resources If at this point, your mind is ready for more in-depth answers and details, and you believe that you need more assistance to make your transition, don’t worry. There IS a solution. At the start of this e-book, I mentioned that my wife and I co-authored an e-book series called My Move to Jamaica for those who are seriously considering a move here or are already in the throes of this challenge. The series currently consists of two books. My Move to Jamaica: Beginnings focuses on the pre-arrival and settling-in phases of moving here. It lays out a stepby-step process to follow, with all the insights we’ve gathered from interviews we’ve conducted. My Move to Jamaica: Resources is a 13-page guide to critical Internet-based information that you can access immediately about each phase of the transition process. It starts with the pre-arrival phase and ends with the challenge of returning home. The e-book series is not a magic formula, but they’re one-of-a-kind documents that are designed to provide unique assistance. If you enjoyed this e-book and found it useful, I know that you’ll also find the information in the My Move to Jamaica series to be invaluable. These e-books will be launched in mid-2008. If you’d like to be on the early notification list for the next release, simply visit My Move to Jamaica. These e-books will go on sale for only a day or week at a time, partly because we update them regularly and also because they provide access to an Internet membership forum that’s staffed by one of our mentors.
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The Top 10 1/2 Mistakes
In the forum, you’ll find mentors who answer questions from around the world about what it takes to move to Jamaica successfully. We try to carefully match the number of e-books sold with the number of mentors so that someone can be available to answer questions. Congrats on making it through this e-book! The good news is that you can continue interacting with those of like mind in two ways: 1. Free Membership Forum Join our free membership forum, Transition Ja Forum You can look back through questions that have been asked in the past, and you can also ask questions of your own. 2. Expat Sunshine Blog My wife, Dale, maintains an active blog on all matters relating to expats and their move to Jamaica. You can find her blog at Transition Sunshine. Leave us feedback on the e-book at Dale’s Response page or as a blog comment.
Corporate Transitions
A Closing Note
As I mentioned before, Dale focuses on helping corporations transition their employees and families who are migrating to Jamaica. If you’re interested in our services in this area, simply use this email form to contact us.
On a parting note, we thought we’d give some additional tips for those who have completed the e-book. Click on the picture below to be taken to this four minute video recorded from our offices in Kingston.
You can also access the video by clicking: http://w w w.fliqz.com/public/aspx/ playerdefault.aspx?vid=b93ca631f3f7fb2aee77 daccd1cc5b9d This e-book is available as a podcast from the following URL: http://transitionsunshine.info/podcast-for-1012-mistakes/ Thanks for reading our e-book! We love sharing what we have learned with those who are willing to use it.
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The Top 10 1/2 Mistakes