To introduce the founders of Globally Locals to you who follow our posts here on the blog, we interviewed each of the co-founders. We previously posted the interview with Alessandra (you can check it here), Lucas (check it here), and Michelle (here). Today, you can say hi to Ricardo!
What inspired you to create Globally Locals and build the Pathfinder?
Finding the perfect place to live is a challenge. Moving to a new place that you chose is always exciting, but after a while living there you start to see the downsides. I experienced this firsthand and realized I wasn’t alone, when many friends shared similar stories. I thought it would be great if there was a platform that would consider your personal needs and preferences, and then suggest places that match you, considering both the positives and possible issues. That’s how the idea for Globally Locals and the Pathfinder was born, aiming to help people make informed decisions before they relocate.
How many times have you relocated in the past?
Only once abroad, to Germany.
How old were you when you first relocated? How old were you when you relocated last time?
I was 36. Once a friend told me that he was too old to think about relocating, and he was 31 at the time, but when he saw that I was able to successfully move being older than him, he got inspired. I also have a family member who recently went to live and work in another country, and he was 49 at the time. This shows that it's never too late for a change.
What were the main challenges you had to go through when you relocated abroad?
Germany brought its share of challenges: endless bureaucracy, difficulties in connecting with locals, and the physical distance from my home country. I can't think of more different places than Brazil and Germany, so there is a lot of culture clash. But this has also been a huge learning opportunity, and I came to accept and appreciate many of the local behavior, and also adopt it, which now created a reverse culture clash when I travel to Brazil to visit my family and friends.
What are the most exciting aspects of your experience so far?
The good thing about moving to a country that is completely different from mine is that I started to see and value many of the different ways of thinking and behaving. And if you are willing to adapt and integrate, you also start changing to be a little more like that. Of course, no one who relocates will be 100% like the locals because they already have a different life story which will always be part of them, but in my case I would say right now my personality, beliefs and behavior are a mix of all the cultures I was exposed to.
What would you have wanted to know in advance before relocating?
For me the main issue was that when you hear people talking about an experience abroad, especially on social media, they always focus on the positive aspects, and sometimes it's hard to get an honest view of the place, so that you can also know the possible issues you may have. In the beginning my experience has been great, but over time I started to see more and more issues that weren't obvious at first, and I wish I could know those in advance so that I could either prepare for them or maybe choose a different place altogether.
Would you be open to relocating again in the future or would you recommend it to someone else?
No doubt about it. Moving to a different country has been the most enriching experience I ever had in my life, and being in contact with people from different cultures with different ways of living made me learn so much, and appreciate different ways of thinking. Especially by moving to Europe, where I started to experience a more balanced life, with much more focus on experiences and enjoying my free time, rather than work and making money.
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