From Mexico to Switzerland: Esteban's Journey of Growth and Discovery
Episode - #0002
Life as an expat sounds like an adventure from the outside—but as my recent conversation with Esteban Polidura revealed, the reality involves much more than picturesque landscapes and exciting new experiences. It's a journey of personal growth, cultural adaptation, and sometimes, challenging life lessons.
Esteban, originally from Mexico, has built a successful career in banking and finance while navigating life across multiple countries. His expat story offers valuable insights for anyone considering a similar path.
The First Leap: Studying in the UK
Esteban's international journey began with his studies in the UK. As a young business administration graduate from Mexico, he was frustrated by the classic job-hunting catch-22: employers wanted experience, but how could he gain experience without being hired?
"Every time I wanted to find a job, I always got that comment—'you don't have enough experience, you don't have enough studies,'" Esteban recalls. "Part of the pushback was 'you don't have experience abroad.' So imagine with 20 years, what kind of experience can you have?"
His solution was to create that international experience by pursuing a master's in finance at the University of Manchester. But his arrival in the UK quickly challenged his expectations.
"I had this image of the UK in my mind that we see in movies," he shares. "My first experience was arriving on a Sunday evening. It was raining, of course, extremely cold. I was completely alone. And when I closed the door of my dorm and found myself there alone inside my room, with that weather—it was like three, four in the afternoon and completely dark—then I realized that my expectations were wrong."
Cultural Shock: A Different Educational Approach
The academic environment presented its own challenges. Esteban found himself in a highly competitive international setting with students from around the world who approached education very differently than what he was accustomed to in Mexico.
"In Mexico, it was more of a relaxed front. I studied, of course, but I could pass a test by starting a couple of days before I had it," he explains. "When I went to the UK's university, I realized the modus operandi was very different."
He was particularly struck by the teaching style: "In Mexico, it was more explanation, then you took notes, studied your notes, and passed. In the UK, the teachers were there just to solve specific questions about a topic. But if you hadn't studied that topic before or read about it, you had no questions."
This cultural shift sent him "from being one of the top students in Mexico to being one of the worst at the beginning" until he adapted to the new system.
The Return: When Dreams Meet Reality
After completing his studies, Esteban returned to Mexico with high hopes of securing a great position with his international credentials. The reality proved much harsher.
"I came back to Mexico right when the Twin Tower situation had happened. It was basically impossible to find a job in finance during that period of time," he recalls. Despite his master's degree from the UK, he spent 10 months unemployed.
"The first job that I got—and the only job offer that I got—was to be an intern for a bank," he shares. It was a humbling experience that tested his resilience but ultimately set him on his path in the financial industry.
The Swiss Dream: Finding a New Home
Six years ago, Esteban's career took him to Switzerland, a country he had dreamed of living in after previous visits as a tourist.
"I was already dreaming about moving to Switzerland one day," he says. "That was the result of me visiting Switzerland during holidays and looking at a country where I thought, this is a place where I would like to live. First of all, it is safe. Everything is in order. I like the culture. Of course, the scenery comes out from a book."
The opportunity came through an unexpected connection—a former colleague who had been hired by a Swiss bank and recommended Esteban. This experience taught him an important lesson about networking and kindness.
"It reinforces the fact that we need to be authentic and supportive and good people with everybody, independently of their job title, of who they are. Because you never know how life will pay back that positive contribution that you had to someone."
Swiss Life: Expectations vs. Reality
Switzerland's reputation for precision and order proved accurate—sometimes surprisingly so. Esteban shares a story about his first days in Zurich:
"I was having a coffee in a Starbucks in Zurich. I saw the person next to me stand up and go to the restroom. The only thing is that person left on the table the MacBook, the iPhone, the purse, and came back only 10 minutes later. Nobody had any sort of temptation. That just tells you a lot about a society."
But Swiss life also came with challenges, particularly the high cost of living.
"When I came to Switzerland and started to realize how expensive it was to live here, another one of those expectations had to align with reality," he explains. "You often hear about people making money in Swiss francs, and you say, 'Wow, these people are getting rich.' The reality is not that. In Switzerland, you have to pay very high prices for lots of things."
Finding housing presented another hurdle: "The first thing that I found was that there is competition for apartments. You have to hand in your documents. You are almost even tested—like trying to join a university."
And like many expats before him, he experienced the empty apartment surprise: "I managed to rent a little apartment. It was much smaller than what I used to have back in Mexico. The next day I had to go to IKEA and buy that emergency furniture."
Language and Community
Though Esteban had the advantage of speaking German from his schooling in Mexico, he found Swiss German to be "a completely different language." Nevertheless, he's been impressed by the Swiss people's linguistic abilities and willingness to help.
"Swiss people are incredible in this sense because you often find people that speak four, five languages, but perfectly," he notes. "I always get a lot of help from the locals whenever I'm trying to use my Swiss German and I'm failing. Then they go out and help me in German or in English."
Building a community in Switzerland has been a positive experience for Esteban. His approach has been to show genuine interest in the local culture.
"We need to make an effort to get interested about the culture and the people," he advises. "Learn some words in that language. People are welcoming and happy to engage. They're interested in listening to your stories about other countries and your experiences."
Personal Growth: The Biggest Lesson
When asked what he's learned about himself through his expat journey, Esteban shares a powerful insight:
"I learned that I can't do everything alone. That I need help, that I need support, and that I need to be vocal about needing that help. Many times I try to do things alone, and it might be for many reasons, but one of them is not to bother other people."
His experience taught him that "asking for help is not a burden on someone. It is really the opportunity for someone to contribute, to have a positive contribution in someone else's life."
Advice for Future Expats
Esteban's advice for anyone considering an international move is refreshingly direct:
"Do it. Don't listen to the fear that's coming over and over in your head in different ways. Negative self-talk, imposter syndrome, anxiety—don't listen to it. Do it. Follow your dream. Make that life somewhere else a reality for you."
He acknowledges there will be challenges, but emphasizes, "You will work things out. You will learn, you will ask for help, you will make mistakes, but nothing bad will happen. If you're thinking about being an expat or you are just starting to live that expat experience, be sure it can be the best experience in your life. Set aside that fear and simply enjoy the ride."
Finding Happiness Abroad
For Esteban, happiness isn't a destination but a journey made up of small moments.
"It is not something that we reach at some point in life. It is in the small moments in our everyday—the cup of coffee in the morning, the sight of a beautiful scenery when I'm in the train, the laugh of friends," he reflects. "If we keep pursuing happiness as if it is a goal that we will reach by some time, we are wrong. We need to find it every day in the very small things. And if we do, then we have a happy life guaranteed."
And where is home? Esteban's definition transcends geography:
"Home is where you feel so relaxed that you can be the person that you are, where you don't have to pretend, where you are at ease and in peace with the people that surround you. That's home. And it can be Switzerland, Mexico, Romania, Germany. It can be anywhere. We define where home is for us."
Esteban Polidura is an author and certified life coach who helps expats navigate international transitions. His three published books—"Five Minute Inspiration," "Stories That Inspire," and "Inspiring Life Transitions"—offer guidance for people experiencing life changes. Find him at EstebanPolidura.com or on social media platforms.
Have you lived abroad or are you considering a move to another country? What challenges or opportunities do you anticipate? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
