‘Hard not to feel like an outsider’: British expat in Los Angeles details challenges of living stateside
Alison says moving to the US offered her invaluable opportunities
ALISON LANCASTER / GETTY
Moving abroad can present a wealth of opportunities to those willing to put in the effort, but it also has its hurdles.
Roughly the size of Europe, the United States has lured British expats with spectacular landscapes and varied climates since time immemorial. Today, opportunities in education and education are also attractive to UK nationals.
From finding a city to choosing the right job, emigrating across the pond can present a unique set of challenges to the British expat.
Some 20,000 Britons brave the move each year, as did Alison Lancaster, co-founder of Pressat, when she relocated to Los Angeles from London to oversee a project launch.
Alison experienced bouts of homesickness after the move
GETTY
The British expat opened up to GB News about the challenges and opportunities that are part and parcel of the process, sharing the pearls of wisdom she’s acquired from the experience.
“Of course, living and working abroad [...] presented plenty of challenges along the way,” Alison explained. “Navigating unfamiliar systems for banking, transportation and healthcare took time to adjust to.
“And the immense costs of housing and services in Southern California were eye-popping compared to home."
As is common among expats, bouts of homesickness became commonplace for Alison.
“I also struggled with [...] missing my family, friends, and British humour,” she said. “At item, it was also hard not to feel like an outsider as a European woman in America.
“Cultural differences in communication and professional norms require flexibility. But staying open-minded allowed me to appreciate new viewpoints too.
“Overall, by putting myself outside my comfort zone, I gained confidence in adapting to various environments.”
Alison fondly looks back at the challenges, as they led to invaluable career opportunities.
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Thousands of Britons move to the US every year
PA
“On a personal level, pushing past difficulties helped me grow both privately and professionally in ways I’ll carry forever,” she explained.
“While it wasn’t easy to leave home, taking that chance opened my world in rewarding ways.
"For anyone considering an international move, facing challenges with an open and curious mind can lead to fantastic rewards.
“The insights, connections and personal growth I gained will help shape the rest of my career - and that has absolutely been worth it.”