For most of us, the struggles of the artist life are old news. Freelancing is not easy and the constant search for work can be extremely draining. But how about going through this path while having to face the challenges of being in a completely new environment?
In an attempt to help any actor who wants to or is in the process of taking their craft abroad, I want to share my experience and the reality of being a foreign artist living and working in the U.S. I’m hoping to alert you to what I think are some of the deepest obstacles you may face, while also inspiring those planning to move somewhere new.
In 2004, I moved to the U.K. from Portugal and was immediately tested in ways that would eventually shape me into the person and artist I am today. Thirteen years later (four of which have been spent in the U.S.), these struggles are no longer a novelty. Acquiring an artist visa to reside in the U.S. seemed like the ultimate achievement but as you come to realize, it’s just the beginning.
“I’m here! What now?”
Hopelessness and impossibility are the feelings that best describe the moment I first moved to both the U.K and later, the United States. The idea of having to start all over again, create new relationships, networks, get familiar with a new city and its energy—not to mention the usual challenges of language and culture while missing your family, friends, and lifestyle—are just some of the obstacles you may initially encounter. All of this makes it easy to feel like stability and success are unattainable, and that quitting is the only option.
I have many friends who have moved abroad only to return home three or four months later. While uprooting your entire life to move to a new country is undoubtedly difficult and uncomfortable, I think this course of action is a mistake (depending on the situation, of course). Such a limited amount of time is not nearly enough to deal with huge life changes. It takes time to feel at home. If you stay patient through the initial stages of loneliness, I guarantee you will surpass it and be able to focus on pursuing your passion fully.
READ: 8 Places to Study Your Craft Abroad
“There is only plan A.”
Moving to a new place with your family or to attend university abroad are enriching experiences, but it’s important to recognize that these cannot compare to the burden of having to create a career from scratch in a completely new place as an adult. More often than not, many of us who come from abroad have one choice: make it or go back. The time for experiments is passed—you need to make things happen.
The notion of running out of money in a new place far away from home where there are no relatives can initially sidetrack and keep you awake at night. But if you stay motivated (even if the motivation stems from that fear), things will eventually move in the right direction. And that drive to keep seeking work? It will not only help you mentally but also with the pressure that comes to renew your aritst visa every three years. Keeping your visa is dependent on how many jobs you manage to add to your resume, so staying focused on working consistently will only help you in the long run.
“I miss friends and family back home.”
A major factor in deciding whether to quit and go back can be having no network of people based where you are, so being and staying social is crucial. Skype is fine for staying in touch with people back home, but living in front of a screen is not the smartest choice. It’s totally understandable to miss those close to you but it is also vital to create a certain degree of independence and detachment. And always be ready to spend Christmas on your own.
In order to be fulfilled in a new place, it is not enough to rely solely on your art and professional success. Your new social relationships have to be just as strong and solid as those at home, and you should invest just as much time on them as you would in your career.
Being prepared is key. Remember you are not alone in this struggle and the challenges you will face are common to anyone who opted to explore and expand the horizons of their vocation. Being a foreign artist also comes with many advantages right from the start! If you are an actor, your accent can be a major plus. If you are a creative director, your diverse past experiences will likely be a breath of fresh air to the industry and will open many doors. And finally, whether you opt to stay or not, always keep in mind that by moving abroad, you worked on your resilience and ability to endure discomfort. Your boldness will ultimately sharpen your capacity for survival and success wherever you are. If you do it the right way, it will always make you and never break you!
In the end, it is a personal choice to move somewhere new and out of your comfort zone. If you feel that your dreams can only be achieved by moving someplace in the world where you can take your art and career to the next level, then I believe you should go for it wholeheartedly.
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The views expressed in this article are solely that of the individual(s) providing them,
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Backstage or its staff.
