What does it truly take to build a new life in Portugal? Cordelia, Chief Marketing Officer and partner at High Score Strategies, takes us beyond the sun-soaked Instagram squares into the complex realities of international relocation.

Unlike many expat stories that begin with fleeing problems, Cordelia and her husband had dreamed of living abroad for decades before making Portugal their home. After exploring options from Russia to the Netherlands, they eventually landed on Portugal through careful research and planning. Along with their teenage son and Cordelia's father, they navigated the labyrinth of paperwork, property purchasing, and emotional challenges of leaving their adult son behind in the United States.

The conversation delves into cultural integration challenges that aren't covered in relocation videos. "You have to work hard to be integrated at all," Cordelia explains, noting how today's technology makes it dangerously easy to remain in an expat bubble. From language learning (which requires deliberate daily practice rather than passive "picking up") to navigating healthcare with its cultural differences, each aspect of adaptation requires intention and perseverance.

Perhaps most fascinating are the identity revelations that emerge through cultural contrast. Seemingly innate personality traits—from smiling at strangers to conversational styles—reveal themselves as merely cultural programming once placed against different norms. Portuguese attitudes about age, privacy, and social boundaries create enlightening moments of self-discovery for newcomers willing to notice them.

Despite unexpected health challenges that limited her ability to live the active European lifestyle she'd imagined, Cordelia's enthusiasm for Portugal remains strong. The rewards include authentic connections with fellow boundary-pushers who've chosen to "change the status quo of their life," alongside simple joys like having "a real thousand-year-old castle ten minutes from my house."

For those contemplating a similar leap, her advice centers on financial preparation and cultural immersion. Join Portuguese organizations, find local coworking spaces, and make deliberate efforts to step beyond the comfortable expat community. Your Portuguese adventure awaits—castle views included.

All of Cordelia's links can be found on her website: https://www.cordeliablake.com/

Cordelia's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@globalprofessionalsportugal

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