Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Job.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Christine. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
So, I’ve wanted to live abroad since I was 17 years old. My childhood was full of unaccompanied minor domestic flights as I was shuttled between family living in Texas and family in California. By the time I was 10, my father was stationed in Germany and my unaccompanied trips turned international. Needless to say, I was quite comfortable traveling solo and really enjoyed exploring new cities and countries.
I studied abroad in college, in Valencia, Spain and although it wasn’t the best experience lol I wasn’t deterred at all from traveling or one moving abroad.
After I graduated from law school, I joined a startup in Miami and went on a trade mission to Namibia and South Africa. That trip was very impactful because I attended an event hosted by the US Ambassador to Namibia who was then a Black woman. Of course, intellectually, I knew Black women could be ambassadors but something about meeting a Black woman Ambassador really changed me. After that, I knew for sure I wanted to make living abroad a priority. I returned to Atlanta and started a business development company that worked with micro & small businesses in the holistic wellness space. I also produced the SeekerFest at Lake Claire Land Trust in October 2015.
I then applied and accepted a position with a company headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, but it was heartbreakingly reneged 2 months later after I had given up my gorgeous apartment in Inman Park and moved in with my mom in the suburbs of Atlanta. I was devastated and had so much egg on my face! I had had a going away party in Miami! And now I was not going anywhere! So I went on a hike the day I got the news and while walking, a thought came to me–“you should walk the Camino de Santiago”. I had only heard of the Camino 8 months prior from a friend who had told me about it where I had feigned polite interest. I resisted the thought for a couple of days, but eventually surrendered and landed in Bordeaux, France a month later.
I walked 33 days from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela and 2 more days to Finnisterre. It was life-changing. I fell in love with Spain and decided I would move as soon as possible.
In 2017 after I experienced severe burnout, I decided to stop waiting for the perfect situation and just go. So, I moved to La Rioja for a sabbatical to teach English and I never looked back. I decided to stay and build my life in Spain because it’s a beautiful country and I really enjoy the lifestyle here. The societal pressure to chill out and enjoy life is a welcomed change for me.
I briefly talk about my study abroad experience, my experience on the Camino & moving to Spain on my podcast Flourish in the Foreign. https://pod.fo/e/217b4
I’m now based in Barcelona and work for myself as a Business Strategist helping Black Women & WOC leverage their talents & expertise into viable & sustainable online businesses that will make them professionally fulfilled & financially abundant while pursuing thriving lives abroad. I’m also the creator, host, and producer of “Flourish in the Foreign” a weekly personal narrative podcast that elevates & affirms the voices & stories of Black women living & thriving abroad. The podcast centers Black women & explores living abroad as a pathway to wellness.
Check it out: https://www.flourishintheforeign.com
https://www.christinejob.com
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely been a struggle. I have struggled with depression, anxiety, and severe burnout. Moving to Spain and working in-country, remotely, and then for myself has been a rollercoaster of emotions. Living in a country and not speaking the language fluently, experiencing cultural differences, and being homesick all takes its toll. Spain experienced one of the harshest and longest lockdowns of 2020. It was tough, but I threw myself into producing my podcast “Flourish in the Foreign”. Connecting with incredible Black women living their best lives around the world really kept me uplifted and positive.
Please tell us about Flourish in the Foreign.
I’m a Business Strategist that works primarily with Black women and WOC. I help them to leverage their talents & expertise into viable & sustainable online businesses that keep them professionally fulfilled & financially abundant while pursuing thriving lives abroad.
I have a signature 12-week sprint in which I help my clients launch businesses or new product offerings while they are currently living abroad or a business/product to be the financial foundation of their leap abroad. It’s the same methodology I used to launch my podcast in May 2020. My podcast now has over 8k downloads, is listened to all over the world, and is monetized.
What sets me apart is that I not only have a Business degree from the University of Georgia and a JD from the University of Miami School of law, but I also worked with start-ups, have been an entrepreneur domestically and abroad. I keenly understand the importance of doing what you want to do, where you want. It’s all about cultivating a life well-lived on your own terms, that what I help my clients do.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I’m from Suwanee, and I really enjoyed the Suwanee Fall Festival. That was when Suwanee was a small town, but the activities and sense of community was so much fun.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.flourishintheforeign.com https://www.christinejob.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishforeign
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishforeign
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/flourishforeign
Image Credit:
Niana Rice, Deanna Denham, Valerie Weyland, Adalia Aborsade, Adoma Amoah, Karla Fraser, Patricia Qholbela-Jenkins, Jewells Chambers, Barbara Robinson
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