Stay Or Go 

"Should I stay or should I go?"

If you're a U.S. citizen now living in the States but contemplating a move abroad due to a shift in your personal or professional life, your concern about your safety or well-being, or your worries about your family's future during this time of uncertainty, you're not alone.

There is a currently a huge surge of interest in making a big move...or at least, making a Plan B.

I can assist you in assessing your options, and help you decide if it's the right time for you to consider leaving.

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 1982 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, worldschooling, or what I called the Bold School approach: skipping the SAT, saving thousands of dollars on tuition, and getting a truly international education.  

I spent the next few years working with individuals and families to explore their options outside of the U.S. - without the typical corporate package.

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 in choosing what makes sense and feels most aligned.

But first, I ask you a critical question: what are you longing for?  

Because knowing what you feel is missing guides your next steps.

And before you think about leaving, you need to be sure you're fully appreciating and taking full advantage of what is available to you right now, right where you are. 

We consider your local community, your circle of support, your finances, your skill set, your sense of place, and your level of gratitude.

(Whether you stay or go, gratitude is going to get you through the hard parts.)

 

Next up: we design a strategy for your path forward that is aligned with what you want.

It might mean staying where you are, but doing some things differently.

It could mean moving to a different city within the U.S.

Or, it could take you across the globe to begin a whole new chapter of your life.

What does it take to start a new life abroad - even if it's just for a few months? 

There are decisions to make, including: 

🔷 how you will support yourself/your family

🔷 where and when to go

🔷 if/when you plan to return

🔷 how your children (if you have them) will be educated

🔷 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.)

 

That might seem like a pretty short list.

However, each one of these questions can get you bogged down in indecision for months. 

If you're facing a looming move-out date, financial squeeze, or seek an immediate change for your personal safety and 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. Adult with aging parents.

I've lived abroad in various stages of life, 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 moved to Mexico in 30 days from decision to departure. 

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 an 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.

Of course, my book does not address this wild post-election ride we're on.

But I do. 

I know what's changed...and what is changing right now.

Plus, I'm in this process right now myself - I moved from Buenos Aires 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 no-go factors - and it's way better to know them before you go!)

Whether you want an ASAP exit strategy,

a Plan B,

or the clarity to take an international move off the table as an option (at least, for now),

a Stay Or Go strategy session can help you make the decision that's right for you. 

It's 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, you'll get clear about your options and leave with a list of personalized steps 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....

After our Zoom session, you'll have daily text/voice message access for two weeks for support as you face challenges or resistance (yours and others') or discover new information that requires your thoughtful (re-)consideration.

 

Price: US$295

Please note:  My role is not about encouraging you to leave. 

After all, the last thing I want to do is nudge you to go if you're not ready or it's simply not the right option or time for you!

I'm here to help you understand the advantages and the adversities before you decide.

 

(If you decide that moving abroad isn't an option for you now, but you want to move through your despair about the world in a way that helps you 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.