- Home » Expat Articles » Interviews » Irish Expat Living in Jordan, Interview with Michelle
Irish Expat Living in Jordan, Interview with Michelle
| Published: | 3 Feb at 3 PM |
Want to get involved?
Become a Featured Expat and take our interview.
Become a Local Expert and contribute articles.
Get in touch today!
Become a Local Expert and contribute articles.
Get in touch today!
Filed: Interviews,Jordan
Michelle LeBlanc is a teacher, a traveller, a writer and a photographer. She is married to Robert and the pair of them love to travel and share their travels with their family and friends. An Expat Life for Us was inspired when they got a job teaching in an international school in Amman, Jordan. Michelle teaches 2nd grade and Robert teaches AP Chemistry. They both love their jobs and the opportunities it has given them to travel this wonderful world. Michelle's expat blog is called It's an expat life for us (see listing here)
Meet Michelle - Irish expat living in Jordan
Where are you originally from?
I am originally from Limerick, Ireland. I grew up and went to school in London, England.
In which country and city are you living now?
Amman, Jordan
How long have you lived in Jordan and how long are you planning to stay?
This is our 2nd year here and we have no plans on how long we will stay. Our initial contract was for 2 years and we have extended it into a 3rd. We are very happy here and are going with the flow.
Why did you move to Jordan and what do you do?
We moved from New Zealand because I was very sick and could not breathe there. I struggled with asthma that only cleared up once we left New Zealand. In 2012, I went in for a lung operation and my lung collapsed. I was in hospital for 27 days. They told me that I didn't have asthma but a severe case of Hypersensitivity in which I was allergic to something (they couldn't tell me what). Robert and I then accepted jobs in Amman in the hope that a dry, warm climate would heal my lungs. It has.
Did you bring family with you to Amman?
We have no dependents, yet! Our first child is due in January.
How did you find the transition to living in a foreign country?
We were very lucky. Our school made the transition incredibly easy. We had a flat with everything we needed. They gave us a car and took us around the city to help us find places.
Was it easy making friends and meeting people; do you mainly socialise with other expats?
Again, we are very lucky because we started the school year with other teachers who were in the same boat. We mainly socialise with our colleagues who have become more like family than colleagues. It is a very close community of expats and locals.
What are the best things to do in the area; anything to recommend to future expats?
Visiting ancient ruins and going out for feasts!
What do you enjoy most about living in Jordan?
The weather. It is sunny, warm and dry and it winter, it snows.
How does the cost of living in Jordan compare to New Zealand/UK?
The cost of living is high and comparable to New Zealand, the UK and Canada.
What negatives, if any, are there to living here?
The driving, the litter, the stray cats, the terrible refugee situation and how some people just don't think.
If you could pick one piece of advice to anyone moving here, what would it be?
Just be prepared to adapt to another culture that is so different from your own. Try not to constantly look at the negatives of this place and focus on the good.
What has been the hardest aspect to your expat experience so far?
As a woman, I find the hardest part is getting over men's stereotypical view of women. I walk down the street and get honked at and stared at like a piece of meat. I am 8 months pregnant and still get honked at. Also, getting used to living in a conservative, Islamic culture is quite a challenge. However, I do feel very lucky that Jordan is not so hardcore Islamic and there are Christians here. I see lots of women who are not covered or who choose not to wear the veil. It is a progressive society.
What are your top 5 expat tips for anyone following in your footsteps?
Tell us a bit about your own expat blog.
I like to keep my blog entries short and sweet. I see it as a place to share the good and not so much the bad. I try to remain as objective as I possibly can. I love to take pictures and to share these so people can get a sense of what Amman and Jordan are really like.
How can you be contacted for further advice to future expats coming to your area?
I am happy for people to contact via my blog.
Michelle is an Irish expat living in Jordan. Blog description: Life in Amman, Jordan.
Meet Michelle - Irish expat living in Jordan
Here's the interview with Michelle...
Where are you originally from?
I am originally from Limerick, Ireland. I grew up and went to school in London, England.
In which country and city are you living now?
Amman, Jordan
How long have you lived in Jordan and how long are you planning to stay?
This is our 2nd year here and we have no plans on how long we will stay. Our initial contract was for 2 years and we have extended it into a 3rd. We are very happy here and are going with the flow.
We moved from New Zealand because I was very sick and could not breathe there. I struggled with asthma that only cleared up once we left New Zealand. In 2012, I went in for a lung operation and my lung collapsed. I was in hospital for 27 days. They told me that I didn't have asthma but a severe case of Hypersensitivity in which I was allergic to something (they couldn't tell me what). Robert and I then accepted jobs in Amman in the hope that a dry, warm climate would heal my lungs. It has.
Did you bring family with you to Amman?
We have no dependents, yet! Our first child is due in January.
How did you find the transition to living in a foreign country?
We were very lucky. Our school made the transition incredibly easy. We had a flat with everything we needed. They gave us a car and took us around the city to help us find places.
Was it easy making friends and meeting people; do you mainly socialise with other expats?
Again, we are very lucky because we started the school year with other teachers who were in the same boat. We mainly socialise with our colleagues who have become more like family than colleagues. It is a very close community of expats and locals.
Visiting ancient ruins and going out for feasts!
What do you enjoy most about living in Jordan?
The weather. It is sunny, warm and dry and it winter, it snows.
How does the cost of living in Jordan compare to New Zealand/UK?
The cost of living is high and comparable to New Zealand, the UK and Canada.
What negatives, if any, are there to living here?
The driving, the litter, the stray cats, the terrible refugee situation and how some people just don't think.
Just be prepared to adapt to another culture that is so different from your own. Try not to constantly look at the negatives of this place and focus on the good.
What has been the hardest aspect to your expat experience so far?
As a woman, I find the hardest part is getting over men's stereotypical view of women. I walk down the street and get honked at and stared at like a piece of meat. I am 8 months pregnant and still get honked at. Also, getting used to living in a conservative, Islamic culture is quite a challenge. However, I do feel very lucky that Jordan is not so hardcore Islamic and there are Christians here. I see lots of women who are not covered or who choose not to wear the veil. It is a progressive society.
- Focus on the positives.
- Keep a good sense of humor.
- Surround yourself with positive people.
- Start a blog and share your adventures with others. It is a great hobby.
- Enjoy every moment because we are so fortunate to be guests in these countries.
Tell us a bit about your own expat blog.
I like to keep my blog entries short and sweet. I see it as a place to share the good and not so much the bad. I try to remain as objective as I possibly can. I love to take pictures and to share these so people can get a sense of what Amman and Jordan are really like.
How can you be contacted for further advice to future expats coming to your area?
I am happy for people to contact via my blog.
About the author
Michelle is an Irish expat living in Jordan. Blog description: Life in Amman, Jordan.
Grab a featured expat badge that links to this interview!
Copy and paste code to display the Featured Expat Badge:Comments » There is 1 comment
Marysia @ My Travel Affairs wrote 10
years ago:
Great that I have come across this interview! I loved my trip in Jordan and it would be great to read more about this country from the expat point of view!
