Starting Over When the Plan Fell Apart – By Theclapaul Richardson

I went to the Cayman Islands knowing that there would be a work permit awaiting my arrival. But to my surprise, the permit was given to the loved one of the person who had promised to provide it for me. What made the situation even more difficult was that this person was also a close relative of mine.

I felt betrayed and defeated, and I needed some time to recalibrate. After a brief moment of feeling sorry for myself, I knew that I had to try to help myself. I started sending out my résumé and applying for all the job opportunities that best suited my skill set.

I prayed and waited for a response. Thankfully, I received a call from one of the companies I had applied to. That experience showed me just how resilient I am and taught me the importance of not giving up.

Adjusting to a Different Way of Life

I am from Jamaica, an island that is fast-paced and where people are much more assertive. Moving to and working in the Cayman Islands was completely different. The people were more laid-back, and I had to adjust to a different way of life.

Over time, the experience changed me. I became more easy-going, but I could still be firm whenever I needed to be. I became calmer, more open and welcoming to others, and less defensive. According to some of my family and friends, I had become too soft. But I loved the new me. I loved the person I was becoming.

After several years, I began to consider the Cayman Islands home. In fact, it felt more like home to me, and I found it difficult to readjust whenever I visited Jamaica.

Jamaica was also developing rapidly, and sometimes the changes made places feel unrecognisable to me. At the same time, I felt as though I had become too soft and had somehow lost my assertive identity. Living and working abroad definitely impacts you as an individual. For me, it changed the way I interacted with people and the way I approached life.

Finding a Family Away From Home

Many people might consider the Cayman Islands boring because of how small they are and because there isn’t always much to do. On certain holidays, businesses either close early or remain closed.

I didn’t have any difficulties with what the islands had to offer. I met people who became friends, and through them, I met other friends. Eventually, I had a large friendship group. We would organise beach picnics, go out to clubs or simply gather at each other’s homes for quiet evenings whenever possible.

They became my family away from home. They made difficult days bearable, and they were always there to lend a helping hand. They were great friends, but many of us were expatriates, and the focus was often on living in the moment. Not many people in the group were thinking about the long term.

Eventually, I had to reflect on what I wanted for myself. I pulled back a little from the nightlife and reminded myself that I needed to prioritise what was important to me. I didn’t want to lose sight of my long-term goals.

My Advice to Other Caribbean Women

What I would love Caribbean women to take away from my story is that there are no guarantees in life. We will all face challenges in different forms and at different stages of our lives, but never give up on yourself or your dreams. If you are given the opportunity to work abroad, by all means, take it. But do your research about the country, the job and where you will be staying. And, importantly, make sure that your work permit is legitimate and secured.

Never lose sight of why you decided to take the opportunity to work abroad in the first place. Have fun. Explore the country, its people and its culture. But don’t think that time is always on your side. Stay grounded and remain focused on your goals.

My experience in the Cayman Islands didn’t begin the way I expected it to, but it taught me how resilient I could be. Be kind. Be you. Be blessed. And in the words of Martin Luther King,

“Take the first step in faith.”