Moving away from your comfort zone can be scary. You are leaving your family, friends, and things that are familiar to you. Now factor all of this in with moving halfway across the world and that fear intensifies. Isolating yourself in your new home can lead to a negative experience, that’s why it’s important to find your tribe.
Many of you have read our black expat Q&A series and may wonder if the hype is real. Are black expat communities really popping in Asia? Let me be the first to tell you, yes they are!
Finding your tribe may take a little more effort than normal, but it is totally worth it. Here are 5 locations in Asia with large Black Expat Communities:
South Korea
Contrary to popular belief, South Korea is a favorite destination for Black Expats. Not to be confused with North Korea, as many of our parents will do, this Asian destination is home to a large group of black Americans who are now English teachers in public and private schools around the country.
RELATED: ‘I Moved To Vietnam With No Job Lined Up’
Vietnam
From Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi, the black expat community in Vietnam is growing. Most expats use Vietnam as a temporary place of residence while bouncing around Asia.
Thailand
This is the mecca of Black Expats. Whether its Chiang Mai or Bangkok, the melanin is strong here. It is in large part due to the extremely low cost of living and the ability for foreigners to start businesses. The Chiang Mai community hosts a weekly Sunday dinner in addition to frequent meetups so that the tribe feels at home.
China
Although the visa process is harder than most of the other locations, this has not deterred many black expats from calling China home. Expats here find work as English teachers, professional athletes, and consultants for various businesses. Many people also bring their children with them and enroll them in prestigious International Schools, which is usually an added perk of being a teacher in the country.
Indonesia
More specifically, black expats find their home in Bali. Bali is one of the hottest travel destinations so why wouldn’t someone want to call this home? From cheap accommodations to the world’s most beautiful beaches, black expats find their zen in this South East Asian country.
