Michael and his motorhome moved to Portugal - 7 years later he’s still here!

Looking for a fresh start

I wanted to move abroad to get a fresh start. I had been stuck in the southeast of France for two years, waiting for my divorce to be finalized. I found a job in a call center in Porto, and decided to go for it. Honestly, I didn’t really have doubts or uncertainties about this new adventure. I have been an expat before in Thailand and Switzerland, so the only thing I was a bit nervous about was whether I would like Portugal.. I had never visited the country before! But I reminded myself: whatever happens, I can always turn the ignition key of my motorhome and head back home. 😅

However, here I am, seven years later, still in Portugal!

After a while working in Porto, I wanted a new challenge. I decided to move to the south of Portugal to have more job opportunities, and to enjoy the even sunnier weather. I found some vacancies in Lisbon on the Yobbers website and applied. The application process with Yobbers was smooth and fast; within two weeks, I got a job as Content Moderator in Lisbon. I received a lot of valuable feedback from my recruiter Leslie, who kept me in the loop at all times.

Starting my new job as a Content Moderator

As a Content Moderator, I review content on a well-known social media platform for unwanted and illegal behaviour. I ensure that the guidelines are followed and remove inappropriate posts. This helps to keep the platform safe and pleasant for everyone!

The assistance from the employer was a great help, especially with the administrative chores they took over for me. Dealing with the bureaucracy in Thailand was much more challenging! As a French person, the Portuguese language wasn’t that hard for me to understand. I could immediately grasp most of it, and many people here speak very good English and even French. That’s very helpful in some cases! The culture isn’t that different from France, so it was an immediate fit!

Finding accommodation? I have my own motorhome! 

I never had issues finding shelter, since I always had my own mobile accommodation! It was easy to find a campsite open all year round, usually somewhere close to a metro, train, or bus station. After a while, I decided to move 40 kilometers away from Lisbon. The prices to stay there, with the locals, were much cheaper than in tourist areas. 🚎

After five months in Portugal, I bought a motorbike. I love riding along the fantastic roads of the countryside and exploring places far from the crowds. Archeological sites, secret beaches, small eateries, there’s always something new to discover!

At work, I quickly made a bunch of close friends, all internationals. Even after some of them left the job, we still meet up once a month for a good dinner. Since I am on the move with my motorhome, it was also easy to make friends with neighbors, even if they were of different ages and had other interests than me. I go back to France around once or twice a year. I call family almost daily and keep in touch via social media almost 24/7, so no, I don’t feel homesick. 

My advice to you

For those who are hesitant about working abroad, here are four things I want to tell you:

1. 🎒 Don’t pack too much. You only need the basics. You can buy fancy stuff, clothes, and extra accessories once you have moved abroad.
2. 👨‍💻 Focus on your new job in the beginning. Get to know your team, integrate into the company, and learn about the culture. If you want to work abroad for a longer time, it’s definitely possible to climb the ladder, even if you have an empty resume. Opportunities do exist - prove that you are serious, involved, and reliable in the long run!
3. 🗺️ Take time to discover your new environment, the people, and the city. Try everything out, fully immerse yourself in it, and then move to your favorite place.
4. 👉 DO IT!

Michael's journey from France to Portugal perfectly shows the rewarding experiences that come with working abroad. From finding a new job via Yobbers to exploring the beautiful Portuguese countryside on his motorbike, Michael has truly embraced his new life. He has built meaningful friendships, adapted to a new culture, and discovered hidden gems along the way. You might find, as Michael did, that a fresh start in a new country is just what you need!