In a previous post, I talked about things that I’m looking forward to in my move to Abidjan. Today, let’s talk about what gives me a bit of anxiety when thinking about moving back there.
A slower pace of life in Abidjan
Yes, I am tired of the rat race and looking forward to slowing down a bit. But, I have been living in the US for 13 years now. And living here, I have become accustomed to certain things, one of those being the convenience of getting things done fast. Need something at the bank? Go online and get it done. Need to apply to something? Go online and submit your application. Need your medicines? Have them deliver to your doorstep or pick them up without getting out of your car. You get my point.
This is a big contrast with Cote d’Ivoire. Although things are changing, most of the businesses there are still brick and mortar. You still have to physically go somewhere if you actually want to get some information or buy most things. Companies and government have website addresses and phone numbers. But in my experience, websites are not always up to date and you may or may not be lucky to get someone to answer your phone call.
So everything takes time. I remember going to the bank several times when we were on vacation last time with my hubby and the girl. My husband was fascinated by the waiting line system and how long the whole errand took.
Finding a school in Abidjan for the girl
Like every parent, the topic of school choice is a huge one. The girl stayed at home for 3 years before we felt comfortable sending her to preschool. She fitted in right away (after the usual crying at drop off for the first couple of days) and loves it now.
Now I wonder how her schooling experience will compare when we get to Abidjan. She understands both English and French, but is more comfortable in English. Should we put her in an English speaking school, a French speaking one, a bilingual one? Will we be able to afford a good school by our standards? How will she do in the French/Ivorian school system? Should we consider homeschooling?
Finances and work as a repat in Abidjan
One thing I do know is that I am not planning to work as a company employee (watch, famous last words!). I am not an engineer, I am not an IT person. I don’t have management or marketing experience. And it seems like those are the type of jobs we see a lot on job postings for African repats.
Ideally, I want to do my own thing, not quite sure what it will be yet. But what if it doesn’t work out? I have heard and witnessed myself work horror stories that happened to people working in Cote d’Ivoire, from employees, employers, and entrepreneurs.
So although the time seems ripe for all kinds of business ideas, I wonder if I will be able to jump through all the hoops required to be successful as an entrepreneur in Abidjan?
Healthcare in Abidjan
And lastly, I worried about healthcare. Working as a pharmacist in a hospital in the US and having lost several close friends and family members in Cote d’Ivoire, I see how important the timely delivery of care is. And I can’t help but see the glaring difference between healthcare in the US and healthcare in CIV.
If you live in a big city in the States and you experience a witnessed stroke or heart attack, you will be rushed to the closest hospital within half an hour and be taken care of immediately, with the latest, science-based treatment. If the same thing happens in Abidjan, your chance to make it to the hospital and receive life-saving treatment in time is much lower.
This is just one example. But that can be applied to many other health situations. Granted, hubby and I are mostly healthy but what if something happens and we need to get to the hospital? I know there are good hospitals in Abidjan but will we get to them in time? What if something happens to the girl? Should we get additional international health insurance? Again, you get the picture.
Both shall pass away and be no more
So here I am, excited about our plan to move back but also worrying about how my Ivorian-American family will fit in once we are there. I wouldn’t consider myself a type A personality. I don’t care about little details but I do like to have control over the most important aspects of my life (you know, like where will my next paycheck be coming from?). Releasing part of that control will be hard. And I think this repatriation move will teach me that over and over again. All I can do is trust in God and the process and try to detach myself from the outcomes.
“O SON OF MAN! Should prosperity befall thee, rejoice not, and should abasement come upon thee, grieve not, for both shall pass away and be no more.” Baha’u’llah
What about you? What makes you pause when you’re thinking about moving back? If you already moved back to your home country, how did you get past all the doubt and worries?
