Black Americans Living Abroad Volume 1 Issue 1 | Page 17

Adebayo Gordon

I currently reside in Al Ain, UAE with my wife, our 10 year old daughter and our 7 year old son. We have been here for almost one year. I home

school my two children and I remain actively involved in our children’s extracurricular activities, traveling several hours a week accompanying our children to various practices and meets.

Moving overseas has been an adjustment for us. In the states, as a music teacher and band director, I spent many hours preparing my students for band competitions. Music played an important role in my daily life. I may not be band director anymore, but I do reinforce my love for music by teaching students privately. Ultimately, I appreciate my life here. We have more time to focus on our children.

Even though we had to adjust initially, being overseas has allowed us to visit other countries that would not have been possible before. Recently, we were able to travel to Russia for a gymnastics competition. This experience is just the beginning for them. I anticipate living here will allow our children to travel many more countries.

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John David Lewis

I am a father of three, Dae Kennedy and Dallas David. Two years ago, my wife and I decided we needed a change of scenery, so I took a position as an assistant principal abroad. Living abroad has been an awesome opportunity for the family and we have made a unanimous decision to stay abroad indefinitely and take as many along for the ride as we can. So far, we have visited 12 countries on three continents and will add ten more countries and a fourth continent this summer. My new hobby is convincing friends and family to move abroad and I have already succeeded with persuading one of my friends!