From floating on rivers to pub quizzes and waiting for sheep to cross the road, QUEST alumni are embracing unique experiences across the world. I had the privilege of speaking with three remarkable QUEST alumni who have ventured beyond U.S. borders, seeking careers and adventures abroad. Their stories offer valuable insights into cultural adjustments, career growth, and work-life balance in different parts of the world.
Eric Appelbaum (Cohort 28) moved from California to Switzerland. Kenny Lopez (Cohort 20) relocated from California to England. Rachel George (Cohort 21) left the DMV area to spend nine months in New Zealand. Each of them sought change—whether in lifestyle, work culture, or personal growth.
Eric described his motivation for moving: “I was in a mostly work-centric area. My life was becoming too focused on work, so I wanted to step back.” Kenny, on the other hand, sought greater diversity. “San Francisco started to feel too small. After three years, I had the entire city mapped in my head. It lacked diversity—both in thought and people.” Rachel, after working for a production company, wanted to take a leap and found an opportunity abroad that aligned with her interests. She explained that New Zealand’s flexible visa policies allowed her to work while traveling. “I was coming up on the age limit for it, so it was a do-it-now-or-never kind of thing.”
Adjusting to a new culture came with challenges. Eric noted the friction of being a non-native. “Every interaction is a bit harder when you’re not from there,” he shared. He also encountered unexpected language barriers: “I thought my German was good enough to get by, but then I encountered Swiss German, which is completely different and has its own challenges.” Rachel recalled adjusting to the slower pace of life in New Zealand: “The town I was living in had a population of 600, and sometimes you’d have to wait ten minutes because someone was moving their herd of sheep down the road.”
Work culture differences stood out to all three alumni. Eric noticed a stark contrast in job stability. “In San Francisco, people tend to jump jobs every few years for promotions. In Zurich, many of my co-workers have been with the same company for a long time. They balance being experts at work with maintaining a healthy personal life.” Kenny observed a different attitude toward work-life balance: “In the U.S., you’re always grinding. You might only get two weeks of vacation—if you’re lucky. But here, I have holidays, sick days, wellness days, volunteer time, and unlimited PTO.” Rachel echoed these sentiments, noting how New Zealand’s workplace expectations differed from those in the U.S. “I came from a fast-paced, strict-deadlines, client-driven background. But in New Zealand, there was a more relaxed approach. I’d message my manager, saying, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, I spent longer on this than I thought,’ and they’d reply, ‘No worries!’”
All three alumni encouraged current QUEST students to consider going abroad. Kenny acknowledged that the biggest challenge is often the fear of the unknown: “The hardest part is not knowing anyone. But I say dive in. It might seem scary at first, but you’ll have an amazing experience.” Eric emphasized the importance of patience: “Give yourself more time than you think. Living in a new place comes with challenges, and I’m glad I gave myself time to learn and truly experience life here.” Rachel highlighted the personal growth that comes with an international move: “It’s one thing to say, ‘I’m going to spend a year figuring out what I want to do next,’ and another to have the patience to accept that sometimes you don’t know what’s next. But it’s so rewarding.”
A huge thank you to Eric, Kenny, and Rachel for sharing their experiences and offering thoughtful insights on navigating professional and personal growth abroad!