We are excited to welcome Hon. Pauline Truong to our Expat Life Interview Series. From Australia to the United States of America, let’s read her expat experience.
About you
Q: Where are you originally from?
A: I am originally from Australia.
Q: In which city and country are you living now? Did you move there alone or with a spouse/family?
A: I am now based in Los Angeles, USA. I moved there alone to undertake postgraduate studies.
Q: How long have you lived there and how long are you planning to stay?
A: I have lived here for approximately over 10 years.
Q: Why did you move and what do you do?
A: I moved to Los Angeles to undertake postgraduate studies and work.
Living Abroad
Q: Moving from Australia to the USA, what was your first impression?
A: My first impression of L.A. was…there’s a lot of traffic!
Q: What do you enjoy most about the USA? What were some of your favorite experiences in the USA?
A: I enjoy the diversity in the USA. There’s so much to do and see, when we have time off. Some of my favorite experiences is driving across country, visiting National Parks and other attractions, Silicon Valley etc.
Q: What do you miss most about home?
A: I miss my family, friends and favorite eateries. But there are so many other things that make up for it.
Q: What has been the greatest aspect of your expat experience so far? What are the adjustments you had to make when settling into expat life there?
A: I have been an expat and globetrotter for a long time now. I enjoy meeting new people, experiencing and enjoying life to the fullest around the globe. I also enjoy the challenges of setting up, acculturating and adapting to new lifestyles.
Q: How would you rate the quality of life compared to your home country, in terms of cost of living, public transportation and healthcare system?
A: For me, there are always pros and cons of living in any city. The cost of living is higher in the USA. Australia has a more comprehensive public transport, healthcare system and quality of life. The USA has many positives too.
Q: What are the best things to do or places to visit in the USA?
A: There’s something for everyone. Many people like the tourist attractions e.g. Disneyland, Las Vegas etc. Others like major cities, shopping, Broadway etc.
Meeting people and making friends
Q: Tell us about your typical day as an expat in the USA.
A: As an expat, my day started at approximately 4am to beat the traffic. As a globepreneur, I work my own hours.
Q: Was it easy meeting people and making friends? Have you made friends with locals or do you mix mainly with other expats? Did you feel you fitted in culturally?
A: As a seasoned globetrotter, it’s easy for me to meet people and make friends. I can mix with locals, expats, and globetrotter quite easily. While there may be differences in each group, there are always ways to find common ground.
Working Abroad
Q: Did you have a problem getting a visa or work permit? Did you tackle the visa process yourself or go through an agency?
A: As a recovering lawyer, I tackled the visa process myself in many countries and was successful.
Q: How does the work culture differ from home?
A: I worked in different capacities in Australia and the USA, so it’s hard to make a direct comparison. In general, the US companies provided me with a larger budget, more travels, larger clients, more perks and less time off.
And finally…
Q: What are your tips or advice for anyone looking to live and work in the USA?
A: Be patient. Success takes time in the USA, even for the locals.
It’s a good idea to have insurance e.g. health, car etc.
Enjoy the journey to the fullest!
Thank you, Hon. Pauline Truong, for taking the time to be part of our Expat Life Interview Series! A Portrait Gallery, Trailblazing Women & Law, Millennium Global Woman of Honor and Honorable Order awards recipient, WhiteHouse VIP Hon. Pauline Truong, an ex-refugee, has had many years of experience as an international lawyer, GlobePreneur, investor, advisor, and writer, with a track record of awards, in many countries. She is featured on major mainstream media globally and is a frequent guest lecturer and Keynote speaker at international universities and other professional events worldwide. Please feel free to connect and enjoy life to the fullest around the world with @HonPaulineT!
Follow her website at www.PaulineTruong.com, and connect with her on Facebook: HonPaulineT and ShepreneursNet, Twitter: @HonPaulineT and @ShePreneursNet, and Instagram @HonPaulineT.
*All photos are the sole property of the author. They were provided and used with permission for this guest post only. Any unauthorized use of these photos is prohibited.
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The Expat Life Interview Series was created to know more about the country, not just from a traveler's perspective. We hope to help others who are thinking of working abroad to know how it is to live and work with the locals. If you are living and working abroad even for only a few months or several years and would like to be featured on Wellington World Travels, please Contact Us so we can send you the questions and you can share your expat life experience.
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Interesting. As a former Californian I definitely know about the traffic. But there is much to love in the U.S. Maybe you can clear up some confusion I have–Pauline is an ex-refuge but originally from Australia? She sounds like a very interesting woman, but I don’t understand how that could be the case. So, clearly, I’m misunderstanding something.
You are correct. Something I overlooked. Would like to clear that as well with her. I’d love to visit LA in the future. I have heard a lot (good and bad) about the place, and I liked to see it for myself. It’s just that the flight will be too long for me with kids without pulling my hair out. lol
Oh my! Travel with kids can be . . . interesting.
I believe Pauline is a refugee from Vietnam, but an expatriate from Australia. Since the focus of the interview is on expats, Pauline chose to list Australia as the origin.
I love L.A., but yes the first thing that I noticed/shocked me were the roads! Soooo much traffic. People drive everywhere in LA.
Never been there. But my husband has been there several times, and that’s what he always tell me. I hope I get to visit LA in the future.
It is great. Hope you get to go there x