Stay Or Go
"Should I stay or should I go?"
If you're a U.S. citizen contemplating a move abroad due to a shift in your personal or professional life, your concern about your safety or education, or your worries for your family's future during this time of uncertainty,
I can help you assess your options in other places and decide if it's the right time for you to make a big move.
I grew up in rural Oregon, and never got on a plane until I was 17. But I was fortunate enough to have a chance to spend a year in college studying in nine Asian countries.
After graduating in the middle of a U.S. recession, I found it impossible to get a job.
So, I moved to Japan to teach English.
It completely changed my life.
Years later, I wrote a book called THE NEW GLOBAL STUDENT to help young people, couples, and families consider moving or studying abroad and worldschooling.
I spent the next few years working with individuals and families to explore their options outside of the U.S. - but NOT the typical corporate transfer situation or NGO assignment.
I work with the bold ones who don't have that support waiting for them on the other side.
It takes more creativity, planning, and courage to move abroad on your own, but the rewards can be remarkable.
I'm here to help you make an informed decision, prepare mentally, avoid the pitfalls, and choose what checks your boxes and feels most aligned.
What does it take to start a new life abroad - even if it's just for a few months?
It's a matter of deciding:
🔷 how you will support yourself/your family
🔷 how your children (if you have them) will be educated
🔷 where and when to go
🔷 if/when you plan to return
🔷 what to bring
🔷 what to do with the stuff you're not bringing
🔷 how to handle your details (visa, mailing address, health insurance, taxes, etc.)
Sounds simple enough, right? And it CAN be.
However, each of these questions can cause confusion and get you bogged down in indecision for months.
If you're facing a looming move-out date, money squeeze, or seek a change for your personal well-being, you need momentum.
But how do you even get started, let alone make all the decisions and put all the pieces in place for a seamless exit strategy?
And what if your parents, partner or kids hate the idea?
Single. Partnered. Parent or not.
I've moved abroad in all kinds of circumstances, and have helped dozens of others do the same.
On our first family move abroad, my husband and I sold everything (house, cars, furniture, all of it) and left in 30 days from decision to departure. (I can help you do that, too, if you choose.)
We had four teenage daughters to usher through high school and college in different ways. And this was in 2005, long before smartphones or glitch-free online classes were the norm.
No expat package. No contacts. No Spanish. No clue.
And a $50,000 combined income we now had to earn remotely when the tech for that was still dicey.
We made plenty of mistakes, and learned from every one of them.
My book, THE NEW GLOBAL STUDENT, was published in 2009 by Crown (Random House). It became the how-to handbook for exchange students and worldschooling families. The book was mentioned in the revised edition of THE 4-HOUR WORKWEEK by Tim Ferriss, and became a resource for early digital nomads.
"Funny, innovative, and meaningful...a how-to guide with heart."
The Boston Globe
"Tremendous insight...essential reading for families yearning to step off the treadmill and plunge into the world."
Daniel H. Pink, New York TImes' bestselling author of DRIVE and A WHOLE NEW MIND
¨[This book] will open your eyes, get your heart pounding and your mind racing, and maybe set you off on the adventure of a lifetime.¨
Eric Maisel, author of CREATIVITY FOR LIFE and COACHING THE ARTIST WITHIN
Okay, so a LOT has changed since 2009.
But my book was published during the middle of a recession, when people were uncertain about whether they should invest in a college degree while waiting for things to "get better," or consider another way to gain experience, perspective, and skills.
Like now, it was a time to get creative about options...especially those that don't cost a fortune.
My book does not address this wild ride we're on.
But I do.
I know what's changed...and what is changing right now.
And I'm starting over again myself - I moved to Amsterdam in April 2025!
I have 20+ years of experience living abroad (The Netherlands is my seventh country), plus stints as a digital nomad and slow traveler.
Three of our four daughters live abroad, along with three grandchildren.
So, I know what it takes for those of all ages and in a variety of circumstances to undertake a big move like this.
My focus is always on simplicity and reasonable certainty.
You don't have to know everything before you leave, and it's hard to be 100% certain about ANY move.
But I can tell you:
🔷what information will help you most
🔷what you definitely do not want to ignore
🔷how to know if it's the right move for you right now
🔷and the clear indicators that you should not go
(There are a handful of these that need to be heeded.)
A Stay Or Go strategy session can help you make the right choice.
Stay Or Go is a practical and thought-provoking process that ensures that you're not forgetting anything critical as you consider your decision.
In a one-hour Zoom session of imagining, exploring, and troubleshooting, you'll gain clarity about your options and have a list of personalized steps to follow to prepare for your creative adaptation process - whether you decide to stay or go.
Oh, and I know how things can keep shifting as you keep digging, so....
You get daily text/voice message access for two weeks to support you as you face resistance (yours and others') or discover new information that requires your thoughtful consideration.
Price: US$295
Please note: this offer is designed for citizens currently living in the U.S.
My role is not about encouraging you to leave. I know it's not right for everyone!
And the last thing I want to do is nudge you to go if you're not ready or it's simply not the right right option or time for you.
If you do decide to move, I offer consulting on an hourly basis to help you prepare and settle in.
If moving abroad isn't an option, but you want to move through your despair about the world and find a way to feel more connected and joyful right where you are, GO HERE.
To schedule your Stay Or Go strategy session, start by filling out the form below.