Another Expat Money Online Summit has come and gone, and with it, another round of new memories and experiences.

Besides the fun and informative topics we cover, it is also a great time to reconnect with longtime clients and friends and meet the new people who have just joined the Expat Money community.

People often discover my work and what we do here through our various podcasts, blogs, and social media; however, increasingly, it's because they grabbed a complimentary ticket to this year’s Summit or a previous one.

One thing I have come to realize is never to assume that the newcomers are as knowledgeable about certain things as you’d think...

Case in point - someone submitted this question during one of our live panels:

They asked: “Is South America safe for black people?” 

If you’re the attendee who submitted this question, yes, South America is very safe for black people.

I have to admit that one had me laughing for a good minute.

And then, we got this one:

“Where can I find a safe place for caucasians?” 

I had a similar reaction at first, finding the question quite funny, but then I thought about things a bit more…

My initial chuckle at both of these comments isn’t out of disrespect; rather, it comes from my own experience having lived here in Panama for nearly six years now, and having spent a ton of time over the previous two decades travelling throughout the region. 

Latin America is about as “diverse” a region as they come; white, black, and people of all varieties of colours and races intermingle peacefully here. 

I can honestly say I’ve never once even considered the idea of being judged due to my “white” skin, nor have I seen any of the sort of racial tensions I often hear from my clients who are living in other parts of the world.

While I certainly had a chuckle reading those questions, I don’t doubt they were submitted out of serious curiosity.

One doesn’t have to look too far to know, particularly considering recent events in the United States alone, that many Americans feel like race relations and the political atmosphere are heading in a dangerous direction.

My advice? I encourage you to come see Latin America for yourself.

Immersing yourself in a different place and culture means gaining firsthand experience and determining what you like and don’t like...

...and there is no better way to get a real gauge for how things really are than putting boots on the ground there.

Oh, and if you find out the locals love you more than your own government does? Welcome to the club.

Speak soon,

Mikkel

PS. If you’re looking to get a taste of Latin America in person, consider joining us November 30 through December 6 for our Luxury Expat Exploration & Investment Tour of Colombia. You’ll get boots on the ground in one of the most burgeoning countries in the region first-hand, while getting to hang out with other members of the Expat Money community. I hope to see you there.

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No advice: This newsletter, EMS Pulse®, contains information about going offshore and being an expat. The information is not advice and should not be treated as advice. You must not rely on the information in the newsletter as an alternative to legal, financial, or tax advice from an appropriately licensed professional. If you have any specific questions about any such matter, you should consult an appropriately licensed professional. You should never delay seeking legal advice, disregard legal advice, or commence or discontinue any legal action because of information in the EMS Pulse® newsletter or in our work at Expat Money®. Limited warranties: Whilst we endeavour to ensure that the information in the newsletter is correct, we do not warrant or represent its completeness or accuracy. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, we exclude all representations, warranties and conditions relating to this newsletter or our work at Expat Money®. We will not be held liable for any decisions you decide to make as the consumer of this content. Law and jurisdiction: This disclaimer shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Panama Law. Any disputes relating to this disclaimer shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Panama. This message is sent to you because your email address is on our subscribers' list. If you are not interested in receiving more emails like this one, just hit unsubscribe at the bottom of this email.