Colombia
What do expats find most challenging?
We asked expats and digital nomads what they find the most challenging about the local culture in Colombia. They wrote...
"Primarily the language barrier, and second is the difference in which Americans value time much more than Colombians. Often I explain why we are impatient people, and why time is so valuable and we don't like to wait or waste it. I'm often saying that it's logical really, you can buy, find, replace, or make most anything but not time of course," said a member in Villavicencio, Colombia.
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"I have the American sense of time ingrained in my very soul. I am really struggling to accept that things don't always happen when I want them to. I purchased a refrigerator that was promised to be delivered the next day at 4pm. 4pm came and went with no refrigerator being delivered. I then called the company and they assured me that it would be delivered by 8pm that night. Again, it was not. This pattern continued for several more days, until it was finally delivered. It didn't HURT me to wait, but was extremely frustrating for me," remarked another expat who made the move to Pereira, Colombia.
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Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before retiring in Colombia?
- How do I meet people in Colombia?
- What is life like in Colombia?
- Is there a lot of crime in Colombia?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Colombia accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Colombia like?
- Is the cost of living in Colombia high?
- What advice do you have for expats having a baby in Colombia?
- What are healthcare services like in Colombia?
- Is the cost of living in Colombia high?
- What type of recreational facilities are in Colombia?
- What is the weather like in Colombia?
- Are there good restaurants in Colombia?
- Where will I buy groceries and do other shopping in Colombia?
- What are the visa & residency requirements in Colombia?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Colombia?
- What do I need to know when buying property in Colombia?
- Are foreigners allowed to own property in Colombia?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
What do expats find most challenging?
If you live in Colombia, newcomers to Colombia would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
