Jason Hunt in Scotland Expat Spotlight
Quick Stats:
- Name: Jason Hunt
- Occupation: Archaeologist
- Current Location: Insch, Scotland
- Originally From: USA
- Expat Locations: England & Scotland
How did you become an expat, and why?
I’d been interested in the UK since adolescence…from reading Mallory, Chaucer,Tolkien and all that lot. I also had a keen interest in European History. I graduated High School intending to study History or Archaeology at college, but a series of career counsellors and advisors scared me into studying IT instead. They kept on saying that I would “starve” if I studied History and “never make any money”….this was the early 90’s after all.
So I worked in IT for 11 years and continued studying History as a hobby and participating in living history and reenactment groups. Then, after my 1st marriage broke down, I met my wonderful English wife on an online philosophy forum. We “dated” from afar for several months and I made a glorious trip to the UK and had a lovely holiday with her. That was all it took for me to know that I’d found who I wanted to spend my life with.
Obviously it took me about 3 seconds to decide that I would move to the UK rather than have her move over to Alabama. Because of visa issues, I couldn’t work for the first several months of being in the UK. In that time, I decided I wouldn’t try to get back into IT, but would go back to school and pursue the Archaeology degree I wanted to go for back in 1990. So that’s what I’ve done! Now I’m still working and studying prehistoric Scotland and still get to dress up as an Iron Age warrior or Viking from time to time.
Where else have you been an expat?
Just England and Scotland.
Best piece of expat advice you’ve received?
The Reality nevers matches the Dream, no matter where you are. A place can’t make you happy, only you can.
Best piece of expat advice you’d give?
Speak quietly, be polite and remember that you’re in THEIR country…don’t expect everyone to trip over themselves to cater to your every whim.
Favorite expat related web sites?
Are you planning or dreaming of a move? Are you going home instead? Where to and why?
Never, never-EVER going back to the States. Wouldn’t mind considering a move to either Switzerland or eastern France.
Tell us more about what you do in your location?
We’re outdoors-types…lots of hillwalking, wildlife and birdwatching. I’m keen to get back into canoeing and kyaking if I can persuade my wife to join me! I’m still chasing my doctorate in Archaeology…so I study part-time and am a freelance archaeologist part-time. We have 2 dogs that are like our children (seeing as how we neither have nor want children!)
Would you recommend your current location to other expats? Does it rock or does it suck?
To people who don’t mind wild and wooley weather and love history, incredible natural beauty and geniunely good people…yes I would definitely recommend the north of Scotland. Not so great if you’re the type that has to have lots of shopping, restaurants and amenities though…
What is the expat community like where you are?
Dispersed and non-cohesive. Most of the “yanks” up here are tied in with the oil industry and I never really mix with them….not on purpose, just happens that way.
Thank you!
Thank you, Jason for participating in our Expat Spotlight! We wish you success and happiness in your current location, and wherever your dreams and business endeavors take you.