From Baguio to Buffalo: My Unexpected Journey as an Expat

Finally, I’ve unpacked all my luggage, and as I looked at the swag I brought home, memories of my travels back and forth between Baguio City and Buffalo flooded in. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine becoming an expat. Indirectly, maybe—I once dreamed of becoming a diplomat, envisioning a role in the United Nations. Perhaps this journey is the Universe’s twist on that old dream.

For those of you who may not be familiar, an expat (short for expatriate) is someone who lives in a country different from the one they were born in, typically for work, study, or personal reasons. Unlike immigrants, who often settle permanently, expats usually plan to stay temporarily. And while some might compare me to an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker), that isn’t quite the best fit either. An OFW refers specifically to Filipinos working abroad to support their families, often in fields like healthcare, construction, domestic work, or hospitality. The Philippine government recognizes OFWs as essential contributors to the economy, providing them with support while they’re overseas. 

My life as an expat isn’t exactly what people back home imagine. For months, I kept a lot of what I do in Buffalo under wraps. My friends and family often think I’m just "living the life" – traveling between the Philippines and the US, enjoying the hustle and bustle of New York City, perhaps like a scene from Sex and the City. Sorry to burst your bubble, folks, but that’s far from the truth. When I’m in Buffalo, I’m doing real work – real, hard work – and trust me, Buffalo is nothing like New York City!

Over the past year, I’ve immersed myself in the local business scene in Buffalo. When I first started this journey, particularly towards the end of winter, I felt uncertain and, to be honest, a bit shy about presenting myself as a representative of our business. Despite years of experience working in multinational companies (MNCs), I had a very stereotypical view of doing business in the US. I had imagined it would be much more formal, and at times, I found myself shrinking into that shy Filipino persona, even though that’s not who I truly am.

But over time, I realized that the communication and cultural training I had received in the call center industry was only an overview. Doing business in the US, especially in Buffalo, isn’t as stiff and formal as I had imagined. Networking became my school, and every Chamber of Commerce meeting and event was a new lesson in building connections. To my surprise, Buffalo’s business atmosphere was far friendlier than I expected. However, the key to doing business here is building genuine relationships. Without that, the chance of success is slim.

To get our name out there, I began each day at 7:30 AM, often ending at 9:00 PM, hopping from one networking event to another. In between, I’d hold 2 to 3 discovery meetings in a day. And let me tell you, the transformation has been remarkable. Just six months ago, I was begging people to consider working with us. Today, people are reaching out to me. "Oh, you’re exactly the person I’ve been looking for," they say. "Here’s my business card. Let’s have coffee."

It’s been both a fun and eye-opening experience. At this point in my career, I’ve discovered a new skill: professional networking. Though it’s incredibly draining at times, the rewards are undeniable. When people sign on to our services, I feel an immense sense of relief knowing that the long hours I spent driving back and forth to various events were worth it. The most fulfilling part, though, is when I return home and can assign one of our team members to a new client, and they say, "Thank you for creating jobs for the Philippines, Miss Sophie."

In the end, the relationships I’ve built, the clients I’ve gained, and the job opportunities I’ve been able to create for our team in the Philippines make every hour of work, every networking event, and every trip between Baguio and Buffalo worth it. It’s a journey that’s reshaped my understanding of business, networking, and what it means to be a global professional. And while I may not have become the diplomat I once dreamed of, I feel like I’m doing something just as meaningful – bridging gaps, building connections, and helping others along the way.