r/AmericanExpat

I’m a first-generation Filipino American looking at Spain for early retirement, and I’m wondering if race changes the expat experience?

Back in the Philippines, “American” basically means white. The idea of Asian American, Black American, African American is just unheard of.

I’ve seen posts from people saying how friendly locals are in Spain, Turkey, the Philippines. But I’ve also seen some posts from African and Indian expats in the EU having a harder time. I’m wondering if that’s the same for Black, Asian, and Latino American expats, or if it just depends on the country. Anyone here with firsthand experience?

I knew my taxes were going to be confusing this year with 3 different W2s and other additional documents so I sent my documents to HR Block Expat over and I paid for the highest help I could get.

I also know that I will end up owing because the company I worked for wasn’t taking out any State taxes.

Well it has been over two weeks and my taxes still have not been filed.

Now I will owe even more because of the interest due to not paying before the deadline.

Has anyone else used them? I’d rather just cancel and try to figure it out myself at this point but I’m afraid they will still charge me ($500) for the “work” they were doing (if any).

Did your kids welcome the move? Or did they go kicking and screaming?

If they moved when they were teens, did they adjust easily? Or did they get depressed?

Did you go the international school route? Or was it local schools?

Have you tried a child psychologist? Was it helpful?

What are your tricks and tips for expat kids?

I busted my butt for 6 months trying to find the right medical program for me in Germany and applied like crazy. I found a good program and felt like I was in the clear. My priority was staying out of the US and being able to build my life here where I am so happy. I’m sad to say that after 6 months, I realize my program is not for me. In some way or another, I don’t find the material I’m learning particularly invigorating and inspiring and I’m also just not good at it. I spend hours studying and reviewing and still *just* pass the tests. It worries me since I’m already a poor test-taker so this shows me what awaits at the end of the program for the final exams. Part of me is hoping that it will all eventually become clearer and the pieces will come together to form a clear picture and I will feel like a competent practitioner near the end. I’m downplaying what feels like a horrifying commitment to something I know I’m not naturally, intuitively good at. 😅 I love my friends, lifestyle, and life here more than I dislike the discomfort of pursuing a field that isn’t fit for me… if I had to leave, I would be devastated.

What are the biggest challenges your family is facing?

Being far away from grandma and grandpa?

Finding other families to bond with?

Getting everyone to learn the local language?

Resentment? Some of you are happy others are miserable?

Share your comments below.

i go to school abroad in ireland, and for whatever reason i have bad reactions to almost all the deodorant here, it’s never happened to me back home 😭 is there some major difference in the recipe or something? has anyone else experienced this??

Probably the majority of failed expat assignments are due to "partner unhappiness."

One person gets a shiny new office and an instant social circle; the other gets to figure out how to buy lightbulbs in a language they don't speak.

Did your partner lose their identity when they lost their "Manager/Doctor/Director" title back home?

Did remote work save your marriage, or is your spouse just miserable?

If your partner had a "Go Home" button today, would they press it?