#8 Heather Rose-Chase – Creating the expat life you desire
Heather is a nomad at heart, who loves adventure. From the time she was a small child she dreamt of traveling the world. What she didn’t know was she’d get to see the world by living abroad. In the past 16 years she has moved 13 times between five different countries. A passionate advocate of the arts and the power of creativity, her wandering life serves to give her plenty of stories to write about.
We don’t have to try on other people’s lives; we can live the life that we want to have.
Show Notes
How she got to China
Her passion for travel began at 15 with a summer spent in the USSR. With a small baby, her and her husband moved first to Japan with his work… and then Hong Kong, then back to America, to Macau and finally to Shanghai.
Memorable “This is China” moment
Her son was bit by a dog and ALL she wanted to know was whether or not it had been vaccinated. What seemed like a simple question ended up with her, her son and the dog owner in the back of a police car. The story ends with a bit of a brawl, flowing tears and a long series of immunoglobulin shots. She’s now a massive advocate for those ‘optional’ vaccinations for life abroad… like rabies! She can laugh now but it obviously wasn’t a great day.
Motivational tips
Switch up your viewpoint. Your way isn’t necessarily the best way… it’s just YOUR way.
Greatest victory
Initially, Heather didn’t feel like her ‘serial expat’ experience fit in with the very transient international Shanghai community who was straddling China and a home nation. One day, she had an awesome realization that led her and her husband to create an amazing group that would make the difference in their lives and in the lives of others.
School situation
Having been home schooled for three years, her two boys are now boarding students in the international part of a local school, Golden Apple (Jin Pingguo). It’s an economical solution for education on a local package. Best things? Mandarin has improved! And it’s forcing them both to learn time management and other independent skills.
Heather’s Tips & Tricks
Brings from home
Bright red hair dye!
Fav local resource
Uber & SmartShanghai iPhone App
Parting wisdom
Let go of rigid ideas of how things are ‘supposed to be’. China is an excellent place to grow creatively! If you spend your time looking for things to be miserable about, that’s exactly what you’re going to find. There is so much opportunity for personal growth. Don’t waste it!
How to Connect
Connect with Heather at www.mywanderinglife.com
