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Lake Chapala
My "cross-cultural training" existed only in the fact that i was a graduate student in social anthropology in the 1980s (albeit not related to Mexican culture), and that i had worked with foreign-exchange and native American workers in the US national parks.
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My spanish consisted of two years in high school (in the mid-1960s). had not used it since then. I've now been in mexico for two years and I would say that my spanish (in general) is still only at the level of, say, a first grade child. My communication "skills" consist of a combination of Spanish, Spanglish, and charades.
not really.
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Let the Adventure Begin! is our premium weekly relocation newsletter that guides you step-by-step through your international move. The weekly newsletter begins 8 months before your move and runs through your first 4 months abroad. For US $29.99, you'll receive an e-mail on Wednesday with tips and advice tailored to where you are in the relocation and settling-in process.
I intentionally moved to an area of Mexico with a fairly substantial gringo population, so my culture shock was not nearly as bad as it might have been.
I don't think I've really had to go through all the stages of culture shock. for the first year I was here, I lived in a gated community wherein I was the only one living on my street full-time. On the weekends, Mexican nationals who owned condos in the gated community came down, so my exposure to locals was fairly limited.
After a year in the gated community, I moved to a small pueblo wherein I am one of only two grigos. I still need and want to interact more with my neighbors, but because my spanish is still so bad, I am somewhat reluctant to do so. However, I still haven't gone through "culture shock" as herein defined.
Changes that I've noticed can be more attributable to not working than to culture shock.
I love that Mexicans, as a rule, put family before anything....work, themselves, money. And the fact that they are so accepting of foreigners, unlike the feelings in the United States.
Knowing that you are never really going to be part of it....that you'll always be an outsider to some extent.
Io far (knock on wood), my biggest blunder is going into a doctor's office and saying to the receptionist "habla espanol" when, of course, I meant "habla ingles." however, she was very gracious about it and laughed with me instead of at me.
My only advice (which is worth exactly what you are paying for it) is that, if possible, learn the language of the country to which you are moving BEFORE you move.
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Get a quotes for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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Get a quotes for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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Get a quotes for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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Guide to Living in Lake Chapala, Mexico
Lake Chapala, Mexico: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What to Know About Living in Lake Chapala
Mexico Forum
Join our Mexico forum to meet other people living in Lake Chapala, Mexico.
Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Lake Chapala.
Expats and global nomads in Lake Chapala share their experiences with health insurance, healthcare in Mexico, local hospitals and specialists, quality of medical care and more.
Expats offer advice about everything you need to know before moving to Lake Chapala: what to bring (and what to leave behind), how to find housing and more.
Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats and digital nomads have to say about the pros and cons of living in Lake Chapala, Mexico.
Rental listings in Lake Chapala. Plus, advice about renting and buying real estate in Lake Chapala
Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Lake Chapala, Mexico.
Expats share their experiences living in Lake Chapala, Mexico and offer advice about meeting people, schools and more.
An Expat Moving and Relo Report helps you explore housing options and life as an expatriate in Ajijic, Mexico. Located near Lake Chapala, southeast of Guadalajara.
An expat in Ajijic, Mexico offers a lot of information about the many expat clubs and volunteer organizations that thrive in the Lake Chapala / Ajijic area.
A retiree who has lived all over the world as a house sitter, talks about packing up and making the permanent move to Lake Chapala, Mexico. She had been there many times before and is thrilled she finally made the move - she appreciates the lower cost of living, expat community, close proximity to Guadalajara.
Get a quotes for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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Get a quotes for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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Expats in Mexico continue to rate the country highly. Even though there are always security concerns, expats who prepare properly enjoy excellent weather in close proximity to the United States and at a much lower cost of living.
Merida offers expats just about everything they could ask for... affordable living in a great atmosphere, high quality health care, striking distance to the ocean, and much, much more.
If you plan to move to Mexico, you'll need to understand the process involved and the order in which requirements need to satisfied. Here is an excellent primer on what you'll need to do regardless of the amount of time you plan to spend in Mexico.
The cost of living in Mexico is one of the first topics considered by expats exploring the idea of moving there. Here's an idea of what your expenses will be if you choose to one of the expat hotspots in Mexico.
Get a quotes for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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Get a quotes for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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Mexico Forum
Meet other people living in Lake Chapala.
Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Lake Chapala, Mexico.
Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Lake Chapala.
An Expat Moving and Relo Report helps you explore housing options and life as an expatriate in Ajijic, Mexico. Located near Lake Chapala, southeast of Guadalajara.
An expat in Ajijic, Mexico offers a lot of information about the many expat clubs and volunteer organizations that thrive in the Lake Chapala / Ajijic area.
A retiree who has lived all over the world as a house sitter, talks about packing up and making the permanent move to Lake Chapala, Mexico. She had been there many times before and is thrilled she finally made the move - she appreciates the lower cost of living, expat community, close proximity to Guadalajara.
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