What is your name?Louise Pool
What is your current age or age range?
45
What country are you native to?
Switzerland
What area of Seychelles do you current live (Providence, City, general area etc.)
Bel Ombre
How long have you lived in Seychelles?
I lived here for five years from 1993 until 1998 and have been back since 2006.
When you moved to Seychelles, did you bring your family? What do they think?
Yes, I brought my two children. They love it.
What made you decide to relocate to a different country?
Really, I missed the sea and wanted to get out of the rat race.
Why did you choose Seychelles, or what factors helped you to decide to choose Seychelles?
My mother is very originally from the Seychelles, i.e. her parents are Seychellois although she grew up abroad. I came to have a look-see in my early twenties and liked it.
What other countries did you consider? Why didn't you choose those?
I was considering going to Mallorca or Goa. I like the tropics and Seychelles is a fairly safe country.
What was the most difficult part of the transition?
The different school system for the children.
Do you plan on returning to your home country? Why or why not?
Not anytime soon. I really like the laid back living.
Do you miss your family, friends or old home and habits?
Yes, I miss my family and friends (although I have made new ones here). I do also miss certain foods.
What do you miss the most about your home country?
Chocolate!
Are there the same recreational activities in Seychelles?
No, there are no cities and therefore no theatres, etc.
How easy has it been to make new friends in Seychelles?
Very easy. People here are very open and friendly.
Do you have many friends from your home country in Seychelles?
There aren't that many Swiss here, but, yes, I am friendly with a couple.
What are your favorite activities that are available?
Swimming, the beach, clubbing. There are a lot of water sports available, but that isn't really my cup of tea.
What are the top ten things you miss about the place you left behind?
Availabilty of a large variety of foodstuffs. Family Friends Good public transport Good roads Ease of getting things done Pavement cafes Good clothes shops
What are the top ten things you DON'T miss about the place you left behind?
The cold. It's hard to say, precisely because i DON'T miss them.
Do you speak the language of Seychelles?
Yes.
Do you think it is crucial to know the language in Seychelles, or can you get by with a handheld translation dictionary for a while?
You can get by easily with English. Many people speak French as well.
Was medical insurance difficult to get before you went or after you first arrived?
Healthcare is free, if not great.
Did you move to your new location after retirement, or are you currently working or looking for work?
Working.
How do you earn your living in Seychelles?
I make and sell crafts and tutor English and German. I also have a blog on personal development.
Do you generally earn your income the same way, or in the same profession, as in your home country?
No.
How did you go about finding a job in Seychelles? Was it easy or hard to locate work and get a job?
I am self-employed, but there are a lot of jobs for qualified expats.
What types of sources did you use to find a job there? (agency, newspaper, website?)
None. If you need a job, the local newspaper (Nation) has ads. Direct contact of local companies also works.
If you are telecommuting, what obstacles, if any, did you face in setting up your communication methods?
Slow (by European standards) internet connection. This should improve with the laying of the undersea fibre optic cable in 2008/2009.
Are there local customs that would make it difficult for foreigners to fit in?
No.
What are the top ten things you like about Seychelles?
The weather The laid back lifestyle The friendliness of the people
What are the top ten things you DON'T like or find strange about Seychelles?
People drink too much alcohol.
Do you have plans to move again or travel in the future or what are your future business plans?
Possibly. Not in the near future, though.
Did you buy a new home or did you decide to rent?
I am renting. It is possible for expats to buy, though.
What is the average cost for housing in your area?
It is expensive in relationship to salaries, but expats usually get a housing allowance thrown in.
Was it difficult to find housing in your new country?
It is currently difficult to find good housing in a nice area.
How do you feel about the local people? Are they friendly?
Very.
What is the best thing about people in Seychelles?
Open and easily approachable.
Do you have any suggestions for people who are thinking about moving to Seychelles?
Do not expect Seychelles to be an African country. The culture and history are totally different. Come and try it first. If you're into an easygoing lifestyle and beautiful scenery, this place could be for you. If you want cultural activities and some city life, you will be bored. Also, make sure you can get out once a year or so, or island fever gets you...
What are the good or bad things about living in Seychelles?
The most difficult thing is to get a variety of foodstuffs. And what is available, isn't always. There are occasional butter shortages, etc.
Do you think you will stay in Seychelles, or it is not suitable for the long run?
I will be staying for a while.
If you are living there for the short term, what other countries are you considering?
Possibly later on, India.
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