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Caitlin Ysselstein, California
How long have you lived offshore?
I moved to Canada initially in 2013 and relocated to California at the end of 2015, so just over 10 years now.
What do you love most about California?
Moving to a smaller city on the border of Mexico and California with the population being 85% Hispanic was eye opening – a whole different culture I had never experienced living in New Zealand (or Canada). Most people speak Spanish and my kids attended a Spanish speaking preschool up until age two, and once they begin school they will be put into a dual immersion program learning both English and Spanish. Mexican food is also the best and my favourite cuisine now!
Why did you choose to move to California?
I didn’t actually have a choice in the matter, when I was living in Canada I met my now husband on a work trip in Beijing, China. He owns a heifer ranch in Southern California where we moved to once we worked through the immigration process.
What is the best thing about being a Kiwi offshore?
My accent usually allows me to get away with some things that if I wasn’t foreign I wouldn’t be able to. Being from New Zealand we are incredibly direct, me more so than most. I also work in sales in the dairy farming industry over here so being able to throw a few swear words around with the farmers and tell the crazy story of how I ended up here is a great ice breaker.
What do you miss the most about New Zealand?
Most definitely the food. I travel a lot on the road and not having the ability to just pull over to a roadside café and get something healthy and yummy gets very hard sometimes. New Zealand has a great café culture that I definitely took for granted when living there. And my family obviously. I have three siblings and only one of them still lives in New Zealand. The other two live in Melbourne now. We connect weekly/daily on Whatsapp via our family group chat and video calls.
What advice would you give someone who is thinking about making the move overseas?
Just take the leap. When I first moved to Canada it was on a one year holiday visa and I was 24-years-old. I’ve been gone for over 10 years. It’s been my greatest adventure. I told myself before leaving for Canada, if all else fails you can just move home Caitlin!
How do you remind yourself of home on days when you miss New Zealand?
Through a Kiwi playlist on Spotify. That always grounds me and gets me thinking of all the great memories and times in New Zealand.
Kellie Twigge, Singapore
How long have you lived offshore?
I have been based in Singapore for the past seven and a half years after an eight-year period in the United Kingdom.
What do you love most about Singapore?
I love the warmth here – of the weather and the people! It is a diverse multicultural society which comes through in the food, language and culture. My hair dislikes the humidity but I adore the sunshine.
Why did you choose to move to London and then Singapore?
The company I was working for in London moved me here. I had never even visited before I arrived but was impressed how green it was.
What is your favourite hidden gem destination that you would recommend to anyone visiting Singapore?
Bollywood Veggies, Changi Sailing Club and Pulau Ubin.
What is the best thing about being a Kiwi offshore?
Appreciating the beauty of our country when you go back, the great food, the humour and the innovative mindset. Our can-do attitude is appreciated all over the world.
What do you miss the most about New Zealand?
The access to nature and the ocean. And of course, my family and friends there. And pies…
What advice would you give someone who is thinking about making the move overseas?
Make sure you see New Zealand first, we did a few big road trips before we left. I also highly recommend joining a community like Kea New Zealand or the NZ Chamber of Commerce. It not only helps with getting networked and giving you access to advice which is really helpful when you are feeling homesick.
How do you remind yourself of home on days when you miss New Zealand?
I talk to my family or check out some Instagram posts of my favourite Kiwis and/or eat some pineapple lumps.
Steven Milburn, Germany
How long have you lived offshore?
I originally moved to Germany in 2005. I then spent 2014 to 2019 in New Zealand before coming back to Germany working for a New Zealand export business across Europe.
What do you love most about Germany?
Germany is a fantastic place to be. The cultures, warmth of the people and the way things “just work so well”. Also the landscape there are so many impressive places to visit and explore.
Why did you choose to move to Germany?
Germany has always been present in my life, through my father’s work or family friends. Then when the opportunity came along to visit Germany, I had to say yes. Now it’s my home.
What is your favourite hidden gem destination that you would recommend to anyone visiting Germany?
There are so many places that are stunning in Germany. From the Alps and lakes in the south, castles and palaces, the oldest town in Germany, Trier or the old town of Koenigstein im Taunus. Though a true highlight that not many know about is the Elbsandsteingeberge on the border to the Czech Republic, just south-east of the city of Dresden. Many have probably seen it when they start up their Windows computer, not many know it’s actually here in Germany!
What is the best thing about being a Kiwi offshore?
You get to experience so many different cultures. Everyone you meet either knows someone who has been to New Zealand or has been there or wants to visit because they have heard so many great things about our little piece of paradise. This makes meeting people and starting conversations so easy.
What do you miss the most about New Zealand?
Family and old friends, then what I miss the most are our beaches, the natural untouched coasts and islands. Going to a beach and having a huge space to yourself is a luxury it’s hard to find in Europe.
What advice would you give someone who is thinking about making the move overseas?
Do it! And submerge yourself in the culture and community of your new home. Learn the language and ways of life. And keep that “go get em” Kiwi attitude in the mix!
How do you remind yourself of home on days when you miss New Zealand?
I am fortunate enough to work for a Kiwi company, so home is always present. On a personal side, New Zealand is present every day at home, whether it’s a Zespri kiwifruit or a bottle of Ned.
What is the biggest similarity and difference between New Zealand and Germany that some people might not expect?
I think the biggest similarity is also the biggest difference. Both Kiwi and Germans are aware of protecting a clean environment. We both share a common passion when it comes to things like rubbish collection in public spaces, a clean foreshore and natural spaces, community and council organised actions such as water quality awareness, or invasive weed removal.
I am not sure how many people know just how advanced the Germans are in this space. Germany has been separating rubbish and has a bottle-refund system for years. In Germany, the focus is more on smaller changes or actions in your home life to make a positive impact.
Vivian Ho, Switzerland
How long have you been living offshore?
13 years.
What do you love most about Switzerland?
The public transport network, with trains, trams and buses all connected. Some lines are clearly not making money but they keep it available because the value is the overall reach of the network. Public transport can be expensive, but it’s still often cheaper than owning a car.
Why did you decide to live in Switzerland?
I came here because of a job. Okay, I also like skiing… 🙂
What is your favourite hidden gem destination that you would recommend to anyone visiting Basel, Switzerland?
Basel is famous for Art and Culture (think Art Basel!), the Rhine, and the Carnival. However, the city also borders the Black Forest in Germany (think the famous cake!) and Alsace in France (think aromatic white wines). Three countries in one. You get the cake and eat it too!
What is the best thing about being a Kiwi offshore?
Our identity is a great conversation starter. Our country has such a good reputation, and maybe because it is so far away, Swiss are always curious about us.
What do you miss the most about New Zealand?
One thing came to mind is our golf courses. It’s not just the locations, but also how accessible, open, and unpretentious we are (both the courses and the people).
What advice would you give someone who is thinking about making the move overseas?
Do it. Home is always there for you to come back to. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Moving overseas, especially to non-English speaking countries, exposes you to different perspectives. The world becomes your home.
How do you remind yourself of home on days when you miss New Zealand?
Nothing beats a video call with friends and family. During the last Rugby World Cup I was watching the final on TV while having a Zoom call with Kiwi friends. I felt right back in New Zealand!
What is the biggest similarity and difference between New Zealand and Basel that some people might not expect?
Both places put a high emphasis on humanity. We respect each other as people, we appreciate newcomers who assimilate and we value them bringing something new. Multiculturalism in New Zealand is mainly Anglo-Saxon/Asia-Pacific whereas Basel is more European/African/Middle Eastern. Kiwi are definitely a small group here.
