Hi, my name is Erin. I am an American originally from Las Vegas but I now live in Milton Keynes, England.

1. Why did you move abroad?
I moved to England not long after graduating university so I could be with my English husband, whom I’d met during university while studying abroad in Pau, France.

2. How do you make a living?
I work for a health and wellness company in their events & digital marketing department. I really enjoy my job and the people I work with. The role gives me the opportunity to combine my passions of travel and social media!

3. How often do you communicate with home and how?
I try to communicate with my family and friends back home as often as possible, but the time difference sometimes makes things difficult. I use email, Facebook, BBM, and most importantly Skype. I don’t know what I would do without Skype, it’s a life saver!

I also use my blog, Quintessentially English, as a way to keep in contact.

4. What's your favorite thing about being an expat in Milton Keynes?
I love the location of Milton Keynes! It’s a city surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside, so I get the best of both worlds. And with the road system being on a grid, it makes me feel more at home. I also am only 35 minutes away from London, so I can pop in and go shopping or see a show whenever I want (which is also very convenient for visiting family/friends).

5. What’s the worst thing about being an expat in Milton Keynes?
The weather can be a bit temperamental at times, but that’s England for you.

6. What do you miss most?
I miss my family and friends the most of course, but I really miss having a sushi restaurant on practically every corner and a little thing called customer service (which the English don’t seem to take seriously).

7. What did you do to meet people and integrate in your new home?
I made sure to take up every invitation that came my way at first, even if I wasn’t particularly interested in going. You never know who you might meet at a birthday party or bridal shower.

8. What custom/ habits do you find most strange about your adopted culture?
Silly things like: eating with your fork in your left hand and knife in your right (I still can’t master this!) and no electrical sockets in the bathroom (I miss being able to get ready for the day in one room).

9. What is a myth about your adopted country?
That the people are all a bunch of prudes and don’t know how to have fun. Films seem to love depicting the English wearing jumpers and not being able to have a laugh. I can assure you nothing is further from the truth.

10. What advice would you give other expats?
Dive right in! I have been fortunate enough to live in both England and France and living in a different country can be difficult whether there is a language barrier or not. The most important thing you can do is get out there and meet people, locals and other expats alike.

11. When and why did you start your blog?
I started my blog in June 2010, when I moved to England for a few months to test the water, so that I could communicate with my loved ones back home.

Since moving to England permanently in February 2011, I have tried growing my blog to reach an even bigger audience!

12.  How has the blog been beneficial?
It has helped me to improve my writing and allows me to communicate with people all over the globe! I have also found it helpful being able to communicate and share experiences with follow expats.

Erin's blog, Quintessentially English

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