"Life of Russians in Colombia: Moving to Bogotá, immigration to Latin America & life as a Russian expat in Colombia"
| На ПМЖ

I was invited to join the YouTube project На ПМЖ, a channel dedicated to exploring the real experiences of Russian-speaking immigrants living abroad. The project, created by Pavel Lazhintsev, focuses on practical and personal aspects of relocation, from legalization and housing to healthcare, work opportunities, safety, and cultural adaptation.

In this episode "Life of Russians in Colombia: Moving to Bogotá, immigration to Latin America & life as a Russian expat in Colombia" ("Жизнь наших в Колумбии. Переезд в Боготу. Эмиграция в латинскую Америку. Русские экспаты в Колумбии.") focused on Colombia, I shared my experience of moving abroad, adapting to life in Latin America, and building an international career while living in Bogotá.

Topics discussed:

• Relocation and legalization processes in Colombia

• Safety in Bogotá and practical precautions for daily life

• Colombian culture, mentality, and communication style

• Healthcare and medical tourism

• Education and bureaucracy

• Cost of living and neighborhoods in Bogotá

• Transportation and day-to-day adaptation

• The emotional side of immigration and starting over abroad

• Building community and friendships as an expat

• Cultural differences many foreigners underestimate when moving abroad

One of the reasons I appreciated this interview is that it approached immigration in a realistic and grounded way. Moving abroad is not only about paperwork or logistics. It also impacts identity, relationships, communication styles, career decisions, and the way we experience ourselves in an entirely new environment.

Having lived in five countries myself and worked with clients from more than 35 countries, I know firsthand how complex international transitions can be. What feels normal in one culture may create confusion, frustration, or misunderstanding in another. This becomes even more visible when people are simultaneously navigating leadership, career growth, relationships, or major life transitions while adapting to a different cultural context.

A big part of my work today focuses on supporting expats, international professionals, and leaders navigating change across cultures. Through executive and leadership coaching, mentoring, and cross-cultural work, I help clients move through uncertainty with more clarity, confidence, and intention.

I’m a Professional Certified Coach (PCC by ICF) with 15 years of international experience in Organizational Development, Leadership Development, and cross-cultural communication. I work in English, Spanish, and Russian with clients across different countries and industries.

If you are considering moving abroad, already living internationally, or navigating a personal or professional transition across cultures, feel free to book a discovery call.

Learn more about cross-cultural communication, building career abroad, and expat experience in my blogs:

• Why Living Abroad Feels So Hard (Even When Everything Is “Fine”)

• The Hidden Challenges of Living Abroad: Expat Identity, Culture, and Adaptation

• Moving Abroad For Work? 5 Cross-Cultural Communication Mistakes to Avoid