Once Upon an Expat by Canadian expat mom Lisa Webb is an entertaining collection of stories from trailing spouses who have raised their kids in foreign countries. The Huffington Post writer composed it with true tales from expat families themselves – giving everyone who has ever had a similar experience something to relate to.
This tribe of expat moms takes you with them on their adventures living in all corners of the world. The book is a vivid showcase of the struggles expat families go through when arriving in a new country. As a fellow expat, you will find yourself nodding your head as these characters successfully adapt to their new surroundings and laughing when they tackle life’s most simple tasks abroad.
Nicole Webb’s story of living in China stands out as she bluntly describes her experience: “Living in China will probably never feel like home, but it can become your new normal.” Yes, it took her a while to adjust, but she overcame the urge to constantly expressing her irritation when seeing kids relieve themselves in gutters or when repeatedly hearing the sound of throat clearing. Her story is described colorfully and is very relatable for laowai in China.
This book will certainly give you a bit of relief to know you aren’t alone. These women can relate to how it feels to wheel your kids around a new city while being jetlagged and under pressure to find that perfect school or compound. It’s a feast of recognition; some of it bittersweet while other parts will fill you with laughter.
An expat in Germany, Nitsa Olivadoti reflects on her experience and says being an expat is “the bravest, strangest, hardest and funniest thing you could ever choose to do with your life.” Olivadoti struggles daily with not knowing the local language. After a very confusing encounter and broken conversation with a very sweet, old German lady at a bus stop, Olivadoti concludes that while the locals are very kind, she is just simply lost when it comes to communication. She attempts to pretend and nod along while listening to their intricate stories, all the while wondering what gave them the impression she could understand German, a conflict for many expats who are not familiar with their new country’s local language.
This book is a page-turner full of nostalgia. What makes it so enjoyable is the honesty of the writers. While not filled with practical advice, the book is a great read for expats, especially moms. Expect funny and embarrassing situations, a hint of gloating and a whole lot of lasting friendships.
