Not 'Farewell', but 'See You Soon'

One of the very few negative aspects of being
part of an expat community is that we are faced with ‘good-byes’ quite frequently. However, yesterday I came to realize that this has changed, and how we can turn this into an enriching, positive experience, as citizens of the world that we have now become.

Last night two of my FOCUS colleagues, Alessandra and Nancy, and I met with Nuria and Jesus, a couple of Spanish members, who are moving to the US. They had been with FOCUS

for over two years and during this time have always been very nice, fun and active members of our community, despite the initial language barrier. They kindly invited us for a 'Farewell to London Tea' yesterday and in the middle of packing and filling up boxes with the moving company, they took the time to meet us to say a 'proper good-bye'.

On the way there I was wondering how often we get exposed to this situation, after having been through the very same situation with

another friend whom I met at FOCUS, Natalia, and how it has changed for us through years of working with expats and being expats ourselves. Well, it turned out that I realized that these goodbyes have now developed into 'see you soon' situations. Of course, with Skype, Facebook, LinkedIn, WhatsApp and all technology based resources, keeping in touch with old (and new) friends, the ones who matter, is much easier and in fact much more natural than when I left my country (19 years ago) or even when I had my second relocation to London 12 years ago. But, I realized yesterday that by
being closer in the virtual world makes us promote

situations to be closer in the real, physical world as well. It seems that 'growing apart' is less common now, and what has been made so easy in modern life is staying in touch and continuing to share daily life. This new reality coupled with the fact that by becoming expats we also become 'citizens of the world', makes real reunions much more possible. The 'out of sight, out of mind' belief rarely applies anymore, especially for the FOCUS community. I could go 
on and on sharing recent examples of 

long lost family reunions, or primary school friends that I have met after decades, but I am sure you will all have your own.

So as we were leaving yesterday, wishing our friends all the best for their new experience in a new country, I realized that it was a different bye-bye, as we genuinely hope we will meet again. All I have left to say is, 'All the very best to you both, our dear members and now friends. You will be missed. So… see you again,  in Madrid, Dallas, Sao Paulo, New York, Hong  Kong, back in London, or wherever in the world, but see you soon!'




Written by Valeria Fleury. Valeria is FOCUS Director of Membership.

For more information about FOCUS visit:  www.focus-info.org

Should you wish to share your expat experiences in the UK, please contact us: office@focus-info.org