Kate Joynes-Burgess in Mexico Expat Spotlight
Today’s Expat Spotlight interview is Kate Joynes-Burgess, a writer, photographer and translator in Mexico City, Mexico.
Quick Stats:
- Name: Kate Joynes-Burgess
- Occupation: Journalist
- Current Location: Mexico City, Mexico
- Originally From: UK
- Expat Locations: Mexico
- Website: www.katejb.com
- Twitter: twitter.com/katejb
How did you become an expat, and why?
I was working for IHS Global Insight in London as a political analyst, specialising in Latin America. I swiftly found it frustrating being so far from the region. So when I found out they were paying for an unmanned office in Mexico City, I set about convincing my bosses to send me over there. That was in January 2005 and my husband, Simon, and I’ve been living in Mexico’s capital on and off ever since.
Where else have you been an expat?
In 2000, I spent four months in beautiful Antigua, Guatemala learning Spanish after finishing my degree in English Language and Literature at Oxford University. Three years later I won a scholarship to carry out fieldwork for my masters’ thesis in Santiago, Chile. Again I stayed for about four months and completely fell in love with the place.
Best piece of expat advice you’ve received?
My former boss, an economist from Peru, told me that once I moved abroad, I’d forever feel torn between different places and not quite sure where I belonged. He was right. When I’m in England, I miss Mexico and when I’m in Mexico I miss England, Chile and Guatemala!
Best piece of expat advice you’d give?
Try to adapt to your host culture and embrace what is wonderful about it. If you try to enforce your own customs, you’ll fail and end up feeling like a frustrated outsider.
Favorite expat related web sites?
Are you planning or dreaming of a move? Are you going home instead? Where to and why?
Should I stay or should I go? It is the endless debate. At the moment I’m leaning towards staying but, next week… who knows?
Tell us more about what you do in your location?
I’m a journalist and photographer specialising in travel, culture and politics. Currently, I’m working on a guidebook to Mexico’s Mundo Maya (Editorial Mapas) while later this year I’m going to be the author of Great Destinations’ first guidebook to Belize.
Would you recommend your current location to other expats? Does it rock or does it suck?
Yes. There is never a dull moment. Mexico City is dynamic, diverse and exciting. And the food and drink options – from markets to mezcalerias – are unbeatable.
What is the expat community like where you are?
The expat community in Mexico City is pretty mixed. While Americans predominate, I have friends from France, Spain, Chile, Argentina and even Poland. My social circle is, however, predominantly Mexican.
Anything you’d like to add?
Thank you!
Thank you, Kate for participating in our Expat Spotlight! We wish you success and happiness in your current location, and wherever your dreams and business endeavors take you.