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Expat Interview With Lloyd - American Expat In India
| Published: | 26 Oct at 2 PM |
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Filed: Interviews,India
Lloyd Lauland tells us: "When I took this assignment I looked at it as an adventure. What began as a two year minimum commitment to my company has become an incredible 4.5 year journey that I personally hope never ends. I can truly state that living abroad has been a growth experience for the entire family, including our oldest son who never moved to India but has visited several times….it has been a growth experience both personally and professionally for me. While I have a great pride and love for the United States, this experience has changed my perspective and I see myself more as a 'global citizen'. There is so much for all of us to learn and share that I sincerely believe that the more people travel or live abroad the world as a whole will be a better place." Lloyd runs his expat blog 'India Adventure' (see listing here).
Where are you originally from?
Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana
In which country and city are you living now?
Live in New Delhi, India
How long have you lived here and how long are you planning to stay?
Have lived in New Delhi for 4.5 years until my company decides it’s time for me to move on!
Why did you move and what do you do?
My move was the result of our company expanding globally. I am currently Executive Director of JHM Interstate Hotels & Resorts, a joint venture hotel & resort management company.
Did you bring family with you?
Yes. My wife and 14 year old son moved to India with me. We are all now 4.5 years older!
How did you find the transition to living in a foreign country?
This was our first overseas assignment. We made the transition very easily to living in a foreign country. The toughest part was leaving family behind……our oldest son was just starting college in the USA and did not join us on this adventure!
Was it easy making friends and meeting people; do you mainly socialise with other expats?
Making friends was very easy, and most of our friends were made through the school my son was attending, fellow parents, fellow expats, but we also developed friendships outside of the school. My wife remains involved in several women’s organizations and NGO’s and we attend many functions and meet new friends through those also.
What are the best things to do in the area; anything to recommend to future expats?
New Delhi has a rich history dating back several centuries. I highly recommend exploring all Delhi has to offer, it is an amazing city to live in.
What do you enjoy most about living here?
The diversity, the action, the people, it is in complete contrast to cities we have lived in back home.
How does the cost of living compare to home?
Housing is much more expensive food is much less expensive going out to eat is equal to prices back home, especially in 5 Star Hotels. Local Restaurants are very reasonably priced.
What negatives, if any, are there to living here?
I honestly cannot think of any negatives about living in India; I think it has everything to do with having a positive attitude, a sense of humor and a heaping teaspoon of patience. Unless you have all three of these within your personality, living away from your home country is not recommended.
If you could pick one piece of advice to anyone moving here, what would it be?
Embrace the culture of the country and learn as much about the country and its people as possible. India is an incredible country - be a student and learn as much as you can and take another heaping teaspoon of patience!
What has been the hardest aspect to your expat experience so far?
Like I mentioned, leaving family behind was the most difficult thing for our family. The toughest thing I had to deal with personally was the loss of my mother.
When you finally return home, how do you think you'll cope with repatriation?
Great question - when I return home to the USA for my annual visits, I find it to be much different than when I left, besides family and friends, the lifestyle is much more quiet and boring. I look at “home” as where I will retire one day.
What are your top 5 expat tips for anyone following in your footsteps?
a) Embrace the culture
b) Educate yourself as much as possible before you move, and throughout your tenure in the country
c) Never leave home without your camera. I carry mine everywhere
d) Have a positive attitude, have patience and surround yourself with likeminded friends. A negative person will rub off on your experience and ruin the adventure for you.
e) Share your experiences with family and friends……..blogging and photography is a great way to share your experiences.
Tell us a bit about your own expat blog.
When I moved to India, I was alone for the first three months before my wife and son joined me. My experience with blogging began as a medium for me to share my experiences with family and friends back home. There was simply no way for me to make that many phone calls or tell everyone about what I was experiencing. So I started out of the enthusiasm for sharing all of the incredible things I was seeing for the first time in my life……..all of my blog entries are stories surrounding photographs I have taken during this “adventure”. I know some have helped others have a better understanding of what it is like to live in India….through my eyes and lens!
How can you be contacted for further advice to future expats coming to your area?
I can be contacted via my personal email or by leaving a comment on my blog. My email address is llauland{at}gmail-dot-com
Lloyd has an expat blog called India Adventure http://lloyd-pres-lindia.blogspot.co.uk/ which is very worthy of a visit. Lloyd can be found on Twitter @ExpatIndia and he has an ExpatsBlog.com listing here which would appreciate a nice review if you can spare a quick moment! If you liked this interview with Lloyd, please also drop him a quick note below.
Here's the interview with Lloyd...
Where are you originally from?
Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana
In which country and city are you living now?
Live in New Delhi, India
How long have you lived here and how long are you planning to stay?
Have lived in New Delhi for 4.5 years until my company decides it’s time for me to move on!
Why did you move and what do you do?
My move was the result of our company expanding globally. I am currently Executive Director of JHM Interstate Hotels & Resorts, a joint venture hotel & resort management company.
Did you bring family with you?Yes. My wife and 14 year old son moved to India with me. We are all now 4.5 years older!
How did you find the transition to living in a foreign country?
This was our first overseas assignment. We made the transition very easily to living in a foreign country. The toughest part was leaving family behind……our oldest son was just starting college in the USA and did not join us on this adventure!
Was it easy making friends and meeting people; do you mainly socialise with other expats?
Making friends was very easy, and most of our friends were made through the school my son was attending, fellow parents, fellow expats, but we also developed friendships outside of the school. My wife remains involved in several women’s organizations and NGO’s and we attend many functions and meet new friends through those also.
What are the best things to do in the area; anything to recommend to future expats?
New Delhi has a rich history dating back several centuries. I highly recommend exploring all Delhi has to offer, it is an amazing city to live in.
What do you enjoy most about living here?
The diversity, the action, the people, it is in complete contrast to cities we have lived in back home.
How does the cost of living compare to home?
Housing is much more expensive food is much less expensive going out to eat is equal to prices back home, especially in 5 Star Hotels. Local Restaurants are very reasonably priced.
What negatives, if any, are there to living here?
I honestly cannot think of any negatives about living in India; I think it has everything to do with having a positive attitude, a sense of humor and a heaping teaspoon of patience. Unless you have all three of these within your personality, living away from your home country is not recommended.
If you could pick one piece of advice to anyone moving here, what would it be?Embrace the culture of the country and learn as much about the country and its people as possible. India is an incredible country - be a student and learn as much as you can and take another heaping teaspoon of patience!
What has been the hardest aspect to your expat experience so far?
Like I mentioned, leaving family behind was the most difficult thing for our family. The toughest thing I had to deal with personally was the loss of my mother.
When you finally return home, how do you think you'll cope with repatriation?
Great question - when I return home to the USA for my annual visits, I find it to be much different than when I left, besides family and friends, the lifestyle is much more quiet and boring. I look at “home” as where I will retire one day.
What are your top 5 expat tips for anyone following in your footsteps?
a) Embrace the culture
b) Educate yourself as much as possible before you move, and throughout your tenure in the country
c) Never leave home without your camera. I carry mine everywhere
d) Have a positive attitude, have patience and surround yourself with likeminded friends. A negative person will rub off on your experience and ruin the adventure for you.
e) Share your experiences with family and friends……..blogging and photography is a great way to share your experiences.
Tell us a bit about your own expat blog.
When I moved to India, I was alone for the first three months before my wife and son joined me. My experience with blogging began as a medium for me to share my experiences with family and friends back home. There was simply no way for me to make that many phone calls or tell everyone about what I was experiencing. So I started out of the enthusiasm for sharing all of the incredible things I was seeing for the first time in my life……..all of my blog entries are stories surrounding photographs I have taken during this “adventure”. I know some have helped others have a better understanding of what it is like to live in India….through my eyes and lens!
How can you be contacted for further advice to future expats coming to your area?
I can be contacted via my personal email or by leaving a comment on my blog. My email address is llauland{at}gmail-dot-com
Lloyd has an expat blog called India Adventure http://lloyd-pres-lindia.blogspot.co.uk/ which is very worthy of a visit. Lloyd can be found on Twitter @ExpatIndia and he has an ExpatsBlog.com listing here which would appreciate a nice review if you can spare a quick moment! If you liked this interview with Lloyd, please also drop him a quick note below.
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Copy and paste code to display the Featured Expat Badge:Comments » There are 4 comments
Erika Lalande wrote 12
years ago:
Great Article!! I cannot wait to visit India.
Liz Thompson wrote 12
years ago:
Wonderfully written blog. You have made me want to visit India.
Vinnie wrote 11
years ago:
Great Interview! I completely agree that with out a positive attitude and dollops of patience, it is impossible to live in a foreign land. Though I would like to know more about Lloyd's son's experience in his school? did he adjusted quickly there?
Bahjat wrote 11
years ago:
Thank you Lloyd, I enjoyed reading this. I can tell you that I have been assigned to India for the summer and after being here for 2 months, I don't want to leave this wondrous land. Flavorful foods, rich culture and colorful scenery are just a few of the many things I have enjoyed to the fullest in India.
