This is a reprint from a post I wrote for my Classroom Canada blog.
I’ve decided to tell you what my New Year’s Resolution is. A bit late I know, but still – I am focused on one goal and I know I will reach it. Are you ready?
I want to win an award in 2010.
It doesn’t really matter what the award is, but something that fits my work would be amazing.
So, imagine my delight when I opened my inbox to find an invitation to apply for an award honouring recruiters who use social media. Seriously? Could this award fit my work any better?
Let’s see:
This award was meant for me!
Right?
If you read this blog, or have just stumbled across it and like what you see, please support me in my goal and vote for the “Teacher Recruitment” button on this link. I want to win an award!
If not this one, well, then I guess I’ll go for an Academy Award instead. That would be pretty cool too.
If you want me to just shut up already and get back to talking aboutteaching in London, well…you better vote so I stop harrassing you. Oh, and vote often. Every day would be great!
Please leave me a comment here if you do vote. And if you don’t, well…7 years of bad luck is coming your way! (Just kidding) (Sort of)
Thanks so much!
PS) GO CANADA GO!
PPS) Please read Colleen Wagner’s post today about my efforts to win this award. She is far too kind!
Today I am excited to share an interview with Kristina Smith from “American Expat in London” fame. She took the time to answer common questions about moving to the UK from the states and what her life is really like in London. Thanks Kristina!
Read on my friends…
Name: Kristina Smith
Current Location: London, UK
Home town: Orginally from Hickory, NC. Most recently from Seattle, WA-which is ‘home’ to me.
Education (if relevant): Undergrad in Accounting from UNC-Charlotte (*so* not relevant any longer, thank goodness!). MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill. Concentration in Marketing. Definitely relevant…
Hi Kristina. Thanks so much for letting me interview you for this little blog. So you are an American now living in the UK, and specifically in London.
When did you make the move across the pond?
I landed on March 1, 2008.
Why did you decide to move to London?
I relocated with my company. I’d always wanted to live abroad, and knew I’d never have such an opportunity practically given to me like this. So, I decided to take full advantage.
What was the visa process like for you?
I got lucky. My company handled all of the ugly paperwork for me. I completed the application, and gathered all of necessary documentation, but in terms of actually liasing with the British Consulate, that was all handled for me. Talk about being made to feel like you have to prove your worth! Literally.
Do you have any stories to share about flat hunting in London?
Well…my first experience was quite easy-again, thanks to the corporate relo. I worked with a company who specializes in helping expats flat hunt. The 2nd time I searched for a flat-to move in with my boyfriend-was on my own. I can certainly say, I’ve probably had both ends of the spectrum by now. The truth of the matter is: the rental market-and aproach to renting is so completely different from the US (except perhaps NYC?…), and Rental agents can be vultures. Sorry. Not all, but a good number of them; and, some companies are good-some certainly aren’t. I’ve been fairly fortunate wtih both of mine, but have heard the horror stories. Regardless, a good starting point-whether you have help or not-is www.findaproperty.com it’s like a ‘clearing house’ of rental properties that most, if not all, agencies post their property to. Provide your post code, and a few details of what you’re looking for, and voila.
Contrary to what I’ve heard about landlords, both of mine have been exemplary. The contract that is used is *definitely* in the landlord’s favor-and makes me rethink the silly one-pager I’m using to rent my place back in the US- but assuming your landlords are reasonable humans, actual dealings with them shouldn’t be that bad.
What do you do in the UK? (Job that is…)
I’m in Search Marketing (PPC & SEO) for a large, online retailer.
Was it easy to find this job? Can you tell us more about the job application process?
Well, since I transferred with my company from headquarters to the UK, my process wasn’t like it is for most. That being said…for the particular field that I’m in, I don’t think I could live in a better city for what I do. The Search industry is very strong here, a bit more advanced than in the US, and unlike the US…people in this space are refreshingly open about what they do-and what they do for their companies. I really enjoy it, and at this stage in my career, am appreciative of the experience.
To the general question about job searching…like flat-searching, it’s also a different beast. Agencies (Recruiters) are the norm here. I don’t know of many people who don’t have their current positions not due to a recruiter. I’m not even sure if some companies hire in the more direct approach (ie internal recruiting) from the US. Recruiters are very direct here-I probably get a phone call a week, and a ping on LinkedIn weekly. I recognize that the level of activity is somewhat due to my industry, but nonetheless-if you’re looking for a job here, get yourself on LinkedIn!
Okay, so now that we understand your life history in regards to moving to London and what your work is, let’s get into some more nitty-gritty details.
What do you absolutely love about your life in London?
Borough Market on Saturday mornings, free museums and the vast selection of plays to be able to attend, the ability to ‘pop’ over to the continent-for next to nothing-for the weekend, public transportation (I know, I know-it can be a nightmare, but comparitvely, it’s leaps ahead of the US). I’ll stop there-I could probably list another 10 things!
And what could you do without?
Tourists who clog up the sidewalks, the intrusion of my personal space when on said public transport, and the cost of living. I could also probably list another 10 things, but will try to stay positive.
Do you miss “home”? Or do you call London your home now?
There are days when I miss Seattle, my friends & family, a good, cheap-meal, and a good IPA to the point it physically hurts. Then, there are days when I’m so flipping happy to be here, I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Which side of the coin seems to change almost as frequently as the weather here.
Who are your friends and community? Do you mostly spend time with other Expat Americans or do you have other friends as well? Were there any cultural barriers to overcome?
My friends here fall into 2-3 clusters….Expats (and a few who aren’t) from work, my British boyfriend-and his friends-many of which are mine now, and other various, random folks that I’ve met-thru pup quiz, industry events, friends of friends (of friends…). It’s a somewhat diverse group. Probably 50% US; 40% Brit; 10% ‘other’.
Cultural barriers?…yes and no. I’ve thought a lot about this in the two years I’ve been here. I think the ‘cultural barriers’ I’ve personally experienced have nothing to do with differences between the US & UK. Rather, my experiences are due to living in a truly *big* city for the first time. I think that’s where I’ve struggled the most. I’m not used to the crowds-and the need to be aggressive to sometimes get from point A to B, and the brusque attitude you can sometimes encounter. I don’t think that’s a UK thing-I think it’s a big city thing.
The actual ‘cultural’ differences don’t seem too noticeable to me. Again, having thought about this a bit, I think it’s due to having been raised in the South. I see a lot of similarities in the culture of the South-and British culture, and think that becuase of this, it was an easy transistion for me. Either that, or I’m completely oblivious!
But, the fact that my bf is British certainly helps. He gives me ‘street cred’ immediately when we’re out & about, and I’m sure I’ve picked up on cultural bits from him-even subconsciously-that have made my living here seem so smooth.
In terms of lifestyle, what do you think is different about your lifestyle in the UK compared to your lifestyle in the states? And what’s the same?
WHERE DO I BEGIN?!?!?
In short, everything-both good and bad: I walk, I don’t drive. I pay more for rent here than my mortgage in the US. I never wear a shoe that’s higher than 1 inch. I drink coffee without half & half. I get tons more vacation. I don’t exercise as much, but I drink more. I eat less Asian food, but more Mediterannean food. I don’t go shopping every other weekend, and buy more ‘stuff.’ I realize how good the customer service in the US is now-actually, make that *exemplary.* I don’t go out during the week as spontaneously as I used to-but at the same time, have more scheduled social events.
If you could offer any advice to fellow Americans considering the move to the UK, what would it be?
Whew. Where do I begin?…Brace yourself! I think you won’t even realize how valuable of an experience living in the UK has been-until you move back to the US. Assuming you do!..
Thanks so much Kristina! I really enjoyed this interview. Keep up the great blogging!
Check out Kristina’s blog here & please tell her that I sent you. Thanks!
Any other questions for Kristina? Please share your thoughts in the comments, and be sure to let me know if you know of another blogger I should interview for this blog. Thanks.
Posted in Americans in the UK, England, Immigration, Interviews, London, London apartments, UK, UK jobs, accommodations, apartments, blogs, cost of living, culture shock, employment agencies, estate agents, guest bloggers, jobs in the UK, living in London, social media, visas, work in the UK, work permits
Tagged interview
If you’re moving to London, England from Canada or America (or anywhere else for that matter), you might want to take a look at London Relocation Services. If you mention this blog, or my name, or Classroom Canada – they’ll give you a deal. I met with three members of their team, Anthony, Nick and Colleen, back in November to discuss what they do, and I absolutely LOVE this company.
Here’s why:
When I moved to London, there were no services like this, or none within my price range anyway (teaching isn’t exactly the best paying job out there!). So when I found this company through blogging, I thought it was such a great idea for all those Americans and Canadians who move to London and need a bit of help. Especially if you have a job that starts right away and don’t have the time to hunt around yourself. Makes perfect sense to me.
What do you think? Any other subjects you’d like me to cover here? Please share your thoughts below.
If you’d like to know a bit more about me, my ebook and why I write these blogs, please see Marsha Moore’s blog today. She interviews me about living in London, what I do now and how I wrote my ebook, Guide to Teaching in London: A Survival Guide for Canadians.
Plus, it’s a contest to win a free copy of the ebook, so get on over there right away to enter. Good luck!
Posted in Americans in the UK, Canadians in London, Canadians in the UK, London, Teach, Teacher Blogs, Teachers in London, blogs, book, books, global education, guide to teaching in london, living in London, teach in London, teach the world, teacher interviews, teaching abroad, teaching in London, teaching in UK, teaching in the UK
Tagged blog, bloggers, guide to teaching in london, interview, Marsha Moore, Victoria Westcott
Marsha Moore is the author of 24 Hours London, a new book all about what you can do in London, hour by hour. She’s a former teacher and recruiter as well as a fabulous blogger, so I figured you might like to know a bit more about her. To win a free book, just read this Coffee Time and see the contest details at the end of this entry. Good luck!
Coffee Time with an Author
Name: Marsha Moore
Educational Background: BA, English Literature (Dalhousie University); Masters of Journalism (Carleton University); Bachelor of Education (University of Ottawa)
Book: 24 Hours London
Publisher: Prospera Publishing
Congratulations on publishing your book. Can you tell us a little bit about it in a few sentences?
There’s so much to do in London that it’s hard to know where to begin! ’24 Hours London’ is an hour-by-hour guide to what’s on, day or night, in one of the world’s most diverse cities. From naked discos to an underground loo-turned-pub, just flip to the hour you’re free and take your pick of the best London has to offer – both on and off the tourist track.
What made you decide to write this particular book?
I love London and I love to explore, so it just made sense to write about my adopted city! I wanted to show there’s so much more to the city than Big Ben and St Paul’s, and I wanted to make it easy for locals and tourists to find out what’s happening without having to flip through lots of information, like in traditional guides. By breaking the book into hourly chapters, people can hit the places they want without worrying about whether they’re still open. It’s kind of like having a ready-made itinerary with lots of things to choose from. And it was a ton of fun to research!
How long have you been in London for?
I arrived in May 2004, just after I graduated with my Bachelor of Education.
It’s hard to believe it’s been five years! I met my husband here, got married here, and it’s definitely home. I do miss Canada, though (but not the winters!).
Your background is really interesting, and actually, quite similar to mine. Can you take us through your journey from teacher to recruiter to author?
With two parents as teachers, I grew up always wanting to teach. But I also loved writing, and at the last minute I decided to do a Masters of Journalism. I worked as an editor and then in PR for awhile, but the teaching (and travel) bug refused to die! So I packed in my corporate career and headed off to Poland to teach English. It was an incredible experience, and it definitely convinced me that I wanted to teach. I returned to Ottawa to complete my teacher training… and this time the travel bug wouldn’t let me be! England needed teachers, so as soon as the school-year finished I moved to London.
I knew right away I’d made the right decision. I loved the city; I was constantly in awe of all there was to do. Supply teaching was challenging but I looked it as a good introduction to London’s different boroughs. I found a full-time job in a secondary school for the following year and taught there for two years. Like any job, it had a variety of highs and lows but it was a great experience. I think teaching gives you unique cultural insight that no other position allows. After a couple years I wanted to try something that would combine my corporate skills with education, and recruitment seemed a natural choice. It was really rewarding helping teachers get settled in a new life overseas.
All of this time, I’d been trying to write but getting side-tracked by my job commitments (and generally being lazy!). I got to the point where I knew I really had to give myself the chance to have a go at writing. I’m extremely lucky that my husband was willing and able to support us in the meantime. So I quit my job (scary!) and hunkered down in my flat to try! Two years – and six books – later, I finally got published.
So, now that you’re a published author, do you have any advice for our readers who might be considering making the same leap?
It is very hard to make a living as a writer, so unless you have someone who can support you I wouldn’t recommend giving up your day job! In fact, I recently read an article that you’d have to write one New York Times best-selling book a year just to stay above the poverty line. If you do want to get published, you have to be persistent. Keep trying – and be prepared to get a lot of rejection letters! Write every day and set yourself a target. Don’t just wait for ‘inspiration’ to strike. Writing is something that can be improved with practice, and you really need to be prepared to work at it. Even if the rejections keep rolling in, when you see how much you’ve improved it’s hard to get depressed.
Okay, it’s 2:00pm. What can I do in London right now? What about 2:00am?
If you’re around Buckingham Palace, trot over to St James’s Park to watch five pelicans have their daily fish feed. The park’s pelican tradition was first introduced in 1664 when the Russian ambassador presented Charles II with the birds. Fancy some food for yourself? Head to Time for Tease for a ‘dollop of burlesque’ with your scones. If the weather’s not great, take a tour of the BBC or see where old sewing machines are laid to rest at the London Sewing Machine Museum.
The night’s no less interesting: you can get steamy at Club Aquarium, the only club in the UK with a pool; eat some tardy Turkish at Somine; hit the dance floor to Bollywood beats at Mango’s; or club with an eco-conscience at Surya.
What’s next for you? Any plans for writing and publishing another book?
’24 Hours Paris’ is due out in Spring 2010, and we’re planning more in the series! I’ve also just finished a young adult novel and I have my fingers crossed it may actually see the light of day!
Anything else you’d like to add for our readers?
If you do get the chance to travel – whether it’s for a week or a year – take it! It’ll definitely be a worthwhile experience. And the marketing spiel: my book is available on Amazon or through my publisher (http://www.prosperapublishing.co.uk/) with free shipping and delivery to Canada. I blog about my ups and downs in the publishing world at http://marshawrites.blogspot.com/ if anyone would like to follow along!
Thanks to Victoria for hosting me here!
Contest Details:
To win one of 3 copies of 24 Hours London, email me (victoria at classroomcanada dot com) with the answer to this question:
“How High is the London Eye?”
You have until Friday morning at 7am Pacific Time and I will then announce the winners on this blog and on my other blog about teaching in London. The contest is open to residents around the world.
The first three people to answer correctly win! Good luck! Questions? Comments? Please share below.
What does Thanksgiving mean to you when you’re living in the UK? Well, first off, the British don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, so don’t get too excited about eating Turkey and Pumpkin Pie. You also won’t get a 3 day weekend, nor will you watch heaps of American football on television, although you can always stream it online if you are a die-hard fan.
So, what are you going to do? Well, if you’re anything like my Canadian teachers in London this past weekend, you’ll figure out a way to have your pie and eat it too. Loads of them blogged about their Thanksgiving feasts and the struggles they had in finding turkey (they couldn’t) and pumpkin (some did, some didn’t). The Canadians seemed to want to be around each other, so they had fabulous dinner parties in their various flats and accommodations and posted pictures on facebook and their blogs for all to see. I’m sure they talked to their families at home and used skype to feel more connected.
You see, the holidays can make you miss your life “back home” even more, so it’s important to gather your new friends and family together and carry on the traditions you have in Canada or the USA. 4th of July in London? Sure, why not? Canada Day in London is a huge event in Trafalgar Square, and while Canadians are generally received a bit better than Americans in Europe I’m sure there are Americans out celebrating Independence Day on July 4th every year.
To help you understand what other Canadians and Americans do in London, here are some of my favourite blog posts from this past weekend:
Heather’s “International Celebrations” post - a frank and honest account of Heather’s second Thanksgiving abroad.
Amie’s “Success” post - including loads of images of her Thanksgiving feast in London with other Canadian teachers & TA’s with Classroom Canada.
Erika’s “How Thanksgiving Transpired” post - her 2nd Thanksgiving away from Canada and Erika is feeling all grown-up.
Questions? Comments? Wanderings? Please share your thoughts below!
Posted in Americans in the UK, Canadian food, Canadian thanksgiving, Canadians in London, blogs
Tagged holidays, Thanksgiving, vacation
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