Expat Advice: Relationships in Montevideo, Uruguay

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Montevideo

What is your current status? Are you single, dating, in a long-term relationship, married or divorced?

I'm currently engaged to my Uruguayan fiance. We plan on getting married in Montevideo Uruguay on December 2009 or January 2010 and staying there for good.

What is it like in your country of residence for someone with your relationship status (married/divorced/dating)? If you're single, how do you meet other people? Do English-speaking people tend to gravitate to certain parts of your city?

In my country of residence (Philippines), people are accepting of inter-racial relationships and there's no discrimination of any kind whatsoever. It's actually common here. I myself is part filipino, chinese and greek. English is also a primary language here so foreign people from all parts of the world can easily adapt because all Filipinos can speak and understand English. I'm mainly concerned about my stay in Uruguay as my future country of residence.

If you have children, what advice would you give to others making a similar transition to your country of residence?

none...

If you do not have children, do you generally spend your social time with other expat couples? If not, what else do you like to do as a couple?

Me and my fiance only got the chance to spend time together when he visits me here in Manila, Philippines. No, we haven't joined gatherings with other expat couples or have been acquainted to any expat couples but we'd love to have that when i go to Uruguay. I'm not sure though if there are Filipinos residing there in their 30's who are married to Uruguayans. Hopefully there are. Me and my fiance loves to travel but we're planning to put up a business when the time and finances permits. =)

If you are married or in a relationship with a person of another nationality, how has this experience enriched you as a person. What kind of challenges do you face?

It is definitely enriching and it has made me a better person in more ways than one. We've become stronger as individuals because of the distance and cultural differences. I've learned so much from his culture and his language which is not so different from mine. I'm starting to speak Spanish and can understand quite well. The only challenge that we have is the distance but we're getting there. I just pray that i'd be able to get my residency at the soonest possible time and be able to adjust easily in Uruguay--as my new home. I come from a tropical country and i know that Uruguay can be very cold during winter time so that's a major adjustment for me. I hope i can cope up quite well.

If you are a single parent, what advice would you give to others considering moving abroad?

I have no kids yet....

What would be the best advice you could give someone with your relationship status that lives in your country of residence? Any other thoughts?

Avoid discrimination. Fight for your partner at all cost. Legalize everything-residency, citizenship, work permits, etc... Hold on and never give up. Nothing's impossible with God. Pray always! Love can conquer all.