Born an Expat to an American father and a very British mother I was raised in Zürich, Switzerland and was what you would call nowadays a TCK (Third Culture Kid). After completing my Swiss Matura degree, I fled to the United States thinking I would fit in perfectly but came running back “home” to Europe two years later to finish my University studies in Italy having woken up to the realisation that I was much more Continental than I ever knew or would have liked to admit!
I decided to stay in Europe and even headed back to good ol’ Switzerland landing the perfect job for myself as Export Area Manager at a world-renowned family-run coloured pencil company. Three years later I was hired for yet another dream job as European Export Manager within an Anglo-Dutch multinational’s cosmetic division. Yet again I was travelling the globe, working with colours and dabbing in a touch of luxury.
As I moved on to Marketing Director for Europe and the Middle East and my career was taking off in the right direction I lost my heart to a charming Italian co-worker who swept me off my feet and flew me all the way to Argentina.
I was not going to give up my life and career to move the other side of the globe without a ring on my finger and his condition was that I follow him with a work visa. I found myself a job as Business Development Director with a French advertising company in Buenos Aires and off we went.
In 2000 the crisis hit Latin America and cost me my job, I discovered was pregnant and we decided I was going to be an Expat wife – for better or for worse – working as a team with my husband.
Our son was born a true Porteño and a few years later we moved to Paris, France and then on to Milano, Italy where I gave birth to our little girl. With two kids in tow we moved from Milan to Madrid, Spain then to Lugano, Switzerland and back to Paris. Meanwhile, the kids are no longer kids and they have spread their wings. As a couple we have settled in Firenze, Italy enjoying the sights and tastes of Tuscany.
I am an eternal optimist and some would say pragmatist. I cannot resist a challenge and love to help others reach for their dreams. When I'm not at my computer you can find me travelling through Europe... there is always an excuse to hop across the border.
I have happily followed my husband over the past two decades rebuilding our life time and again from scratch not losing focus of what works best for our family. I have developed my own personal interests in International education and Expat blogging which I pursue with passion.
For in order to be a proud and independent Expat woman you must never trail but trail-blaze with passion and conviction!
