“In a fabulous light”

Recently received:

“My name is__________________ and I’m casting an international travel show about expats moving abroad. We’d love to film in Uruguay and wanted to know if you could help us find expats who have moved there within the last 1-2 years or have been there for 3-4 years, but recently moved into a new home. The show documents their move to a new country and will place the country in fabulous light. I wanted to know if you could help spread the word to expats living there or are close to moving. If you’d like more information, please give me a call at ____________ or skype me at ____________. You can also email me at_______@leopardusa.com. Looking forward to hearing from you.”

(Leopard USA turns out to be House Hunters International.)

My reply:

“Hi ______,

I personally have no interest in promoting “unreality” shows. I was asked to participate in an International Living presentation on Uruguay, and dropped out when tipped off by a previous interviewee (I should have figured) that they always hype a location as “paradise,” or as you say, “in a fabulous light.” By the time that the DVD was produced, I personally knew 80+% of the people featured, and most of those singing the praises of the place had either left or only lived here part time.

In addition to glossing over the realities of Uruguay, I would hate to contribute to another “happy faces in an exotic sunny local” piece that inspires people to move here (or anywhere) without heavy emphasis on “do your own due diligence” or the reminder that “adversity breeds character.” I regularly read postings from people who have never been to Uruguay but want to move here because of something they read online: yes, the beaches are beautiful, and the people are friendly (though you’ll almost never be invited into their homes). Which is not to bash Uruguay — I’m in my sixth year here, haven’t left, and I’m a naturalized citizen, and despite being expensive at present Uruguay has a lot to recommend it. However, it’s the fifth country I’ve lived in outside the USA, my wife’s ninth. If you were to tell me your show emphasizes curiosity, the importance of acceptance, and (the key to salvation!) a sense of humor, I’d be much more enthusiastic.

Regardless, I am copying this to several people here with connections to the local expat community, some with regular mailing lists, whom I encourage to contact you or pass this on if interested.

For the record, based on my experience, “expats moving abroad” does not constitute a subset of “international travel.” Visiting a place and moving/living there are two memes best not commingled!

Best regards,

What some of those others have to say:

• Whew!  What ______ wrote is a mess, and what you answered is spot on … This is definitely not something I would ever want to be involved in, and I would hate to get anyone I know messed up in this.  What is actually needed, particularly for people in/from the USA, is information that makes clear to them what moving to another country entails.  Hint:  Other countries are not simply smaller versions of the USA that need to be prodded into being little USAs … there are lots of people who “want to move here” who have never been outside the USA, and they are totally unprepared.
• Amen.
• I would agree with “do your own due diligence”.  Things looked much different when I did that IL interview … Today is not the same. I hope they do not make the show.

Sorry, _________ from Househunters International!