LONDON — The urgent care doctor cocked an eyebrow at Mari Santos and her American accent.
A screenshot of the publication 'The Eagle' featuring an opinion piece by student Mari Santos, a political science student studying at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.
It was four days after President Donald Trump's inauguration, and Santos was a student with a stomach bug in the first weeks of an overseas semester in Glasgow, Scotland. A doctor arrived to see her after a six-hour wait. But before asking what ailed her, he said this: “Interesting time to be an American, I suppose."
Until then, Santos, 20, had not been thinking about Trump — just her 104-degree fever and concern about being sick while abroad. But the president and his triumphant return to the White House, she says, were on her physician's mind, giving the American University student an instant education in geopolitics. The lesson, as she sees it: “There's a kind of chilling in the air.â€
“I knew that maybe that Europe is not in general big fan of American politics,†Santos said, “but I didn't expect it to be such like a personal thing.â€
People are also reading…
The United States and its center of gravity occupy a unique space in the international conversation. People the world over talk about America — its policies, its proclivities, its place in the world. They have for generations. They did it during the Iraq War. They did it during the first Trump administration.
Grünheide (Mark), Germany - February 18, 2025 Grünheide, a town in the federal state of Brandenburg (east) that houses the European electric c…
And two months into Trump 2.0, at least in many European and English-speaking countries, it's happening again — sometimes even more intensely.
Answering for America under the new Trump administration is becoming a delicate experience for some of the estimated 5 million U.S. citizens living in other countries.
From Santos in Scotland to others in New Zealand, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Canada, Republican and Democratic expats alike told The Associated Press in recent weeks that the moment they are revealed to be American changes virtually every conversation to, in essence, “What about Trump?â€
What comes after the revelation that someone is American, U.S. citizens overseas say, are awkward questions, pauses and euphemisms — but almost always a reference to America under Trump in 2025.
“Before this year, the typical follow-up would be asking where exactly I’m from and what brought me to France,†said Anthony Mucia, 31, a Nebraska native who lives in Toulouse, France, and has been overseas for six years. “Twice now, the first thing someone asked me was, ‘Are you glad to be in France now?’†He also gets looks that he interprets as “a bit of ‘shock’ or ‘uneasiness.’â€
What's bending these interactions, expats say, is Trump’s flurry of orders and statements that have upended 80 years of international order and spooked markets. Trump imposed sweeping tariffs this past week.
He’s talked about how the U.S. will “one way or the other†capture Greenland from Denmark, “take back†Panama and make Canada the 51st U.S. state. He wants to empty and develop war-battered Gaza, and has cut off U.S. aid to the world’s neediest people. He’s falsely blamed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for starting the Russian invasion and ended a White House meeting with Zelenskyy after berating the Ukrainian leader. Trump has let Europe’s leaders know that the U.S. is not a staunch ally in facing the Russian threat. And he’s set off tariff wars with China, Canada and Mexico.
Not smoothing the American experience overseas is the backlash developing against Trump’s association with Elon Musk and Tesla, which has fueled growing boycott movements. People are joining Facebook groups to exchange ideas about how to avoid U.S. products. Feelings are especially strong across the Nordic region — particularly Denmark, where Trump’s moves have set “the Danish Viking blood boiling,†one man told The Associated Press.
So far, the interactions are less hostile than wary, Americans overseas say. But anti-U.S. sentiment is emerging as a concern on the cusp of what's expected to be a record-setting international travel season for Americans.
Jake Lamb, 32, moved from Colorado to Auckland, New Zealand, in 2023. He said he's “noticed a significant shift in the types and frequency of questions I’m asked†over the past year. Kiwis remain friendly about it, but they've been saying they might have to “hide†Lamb or vouch that he's “one of the good ones†if Trump escalates conflicts with former allies. He thinks that the good humor belies wariness.
“I am concerned that it may become difficult for some not to hold individual Americans responsible,†Lamb, a volunteer coordinator for a charity and who voted for Democrat Kamala Harris, said in an email.
Elizabeth Van Horne, 33, has lived in France since 2013. For years, she said, people would ask “why on Earth I'd come to live in France if I could live in the U.S: 'It's so beautiful, there's so much potential, so much opportunity, like living in a TV show.'â€
“Now, that romanticized image has completely changed,†Van Horne, a Democrat, said in an email. Early in March, a postal worker told her it's sad to watch.
“For me,†she said, “that conversation summed it up: ‘Je suis desole pour vous’ — ‘I’m sorry for you.'â€
Georganne Burke, a Syracuse, N.Y., native living in Ottawa, supported Trump in all three elections and is the chairwoman of Republicans Overseas in Canada. She's a dual citizen, which makes her something like the Peace Bridge that links the two nations in Buffalo, N.Y.
Trump's tariff war, his manner and his provocative talk about how Canada “only works†as the 51st U.S. state “has everybody's hair on fire," she said in an interview. Burke, 77, says she's received threats and had a tense talk with an anti-Trump co-worker. People ask her, “How could anyone vote for him?"
Greg Swenson of Republicans Overseas UK, poses for a photograph March 20 in London.
Burke's counterpart in London, Greg Swenson of Republicans Overseas UK, says walking around as an American in another country remains more positive than negative. In interviews with media outlets, he readily acknowledges Trump can be “obnoxious.†But Swenson, 62, is an investment banker, and he says the president and America remain good for business.
“In the private capital world, which is not affected by day-to-day (market) volatility, there is just a huge amount of optimism,†Swenson said.
Itching to leave your life in the US behind and move abroad? We’ll tell you how
Step 1: What’s the cost?
Research the cost of living. Maybe you have a place in mind that you’ve always wanted to live, or maybe you’re open to possibilities. Regardless, the first step in any international move should be researching the exchange rate and cost of living. Countries like Portugal, Costa Rica and Malaysia have some of the lowest costs of living, while cities like Zurich and Hong Kong have a reputation for being expensive.
Save up. A good general rule is to have at least six months’ worth of savings before taking the plunge to relocate to a new country. It’s important to budget in extra costs for things like visa application costs, international shipments of goods and plane tickets.
Understand the tax implications. U.S. citizens abroad are subject to income tax, whether they live in Caracas or Charlotte. Many other countries will also require that taxes be paid there, as well. Understanding tax laws, foreign tax credits, exclusions and requirements is a complicated task best understood by consulting an expert.
Step 2: Which documents do you need?
Secure a valid passport. Passports must be valid for at least six months past your expected return. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant backups in passport processing times. The State Department currently estimates at least 16 weeks for processing routine passports and 12 weeks for expedited ones. Pro tip: Make copies of your passport, driver’s license and birth certificate; take one with you and leave one with a trusted loved one in the U.S.
Research visa and work permit requirements. Many countries require visas and or work permits. These come in all shapes and sizes, restrictions and lengths of stay. The best way to find out what is required in the country you are looking to move to is to contact the consulate or embassy of that country. Don’t forget to make note of any renewal requirements. For those lucky enough to be relocating with a company, much of this process may be taken care of for you.
Step 3. Do you have medical coverage?
Determine vaccinations requirements. Vaccination requirements are especially important to understand during this time of COVID-19. For a full list of required immunizations, including COVID-19 vaccine mandates, the CDC website is a good resource. Pro tip: Make photo copies of your immunization records and COVID-19 vaccine card, and take one with you and leave one in the U.S.
Understand medical insurance. Secure international travel insurance. Many medical insurance plans — including Medicare and Medicaid — do not include international coverage. It is important to contact your insurance provider prior to leaving the U.S. to determine what coverage is available to you. If you do not have coverage, there are companies that specifically provide travel medical insurance, including Cigna Global Health Insurance, Aetna International Health Insurance and GeoBlue Health Insurance Xplorer Plans. Another great resource is the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers.
Know how to find a doctor. While the U.S. embassy and consulate provides a list of doctors and hospitals by country (look under the American Citizens Services tab under the desired country), finding a doctor that speaks English can be its own challenge. Companies like Air Doctor help connect U.S. citizens with doctors who speak the same language around the globe.
Have a plan for your prescriptions. One last step on the medical front — talk to your doctor and pharmacist about your prescription medications. Find out if they can be filled abroad and what alternatives may be available. Get a written note about pre-existing conditions, as well as a written prescription with dosage from your doctor before you go. While pharmacies abroad will not honor this, it can be helpful to show an in-country doctor who can write you a fillable prescription.
Step 4. Have you told everyone you’ll be gone?
Contact financial institutions. Banks and credit card companies can cause your adventure to come to a screeching financial halt if they do not know that you will be abroad. Contacting these institutions is important to keeping the cash flow going. It is also valuable to research which credit cards do not charge a foreign transaction fee, as most will charge between 1-3% per transaction — a fee that can add up over time.
Let the government know. Any time you leave the U.S., it is a good idea to register with the government’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. STEP is a free service that ensures that you will receive important updates from the embassy on safety conditions, helps authorities contact you in an emergency and ensures that your family and friends in the States can get in touch with you in an emergency.
Step 5. What happens to your stuff?
Examine the cost of shipping large items. While you may be hesitant to leave your favorite comfy chair behind in the U.S., it is generally expensive (and can take a long time) to ship furniture and large items abroad. For those must-take items, shipping via sea freight is the most economical option, with door-to-door service demanding higher rates than door-to-port options. There is a lot to consider (and budget for) when you consider customs duties, fees and taxes.
Evaluate how to transport your clothing. When it comes to clothing, it can often be easier and less expensive to ship a few boxes than to lug extra suitcases through the airport. The USPS even allows you to print international shipping labels and customs forms, order boxes and estimate your shipment costs online.
Understand the process for taking pets. Perhaps the most important things to take with you when you move abroad are your furry friends. If you are hoping to move with a cat, dog or other pet, the U.S. Department of Agriculture site provides country-specific rules and guidelines.
Ready to go?
While the adventure of moving abroad sounds alluring, it is important to weigh the complications of moving during the time of COVID-19. Constantly changing restrictions can limit your movement and ability to get back to the U.S. In addition, lockdowns and social distancing requirements can make it more difficult to acclimate to a new community and make friends. Consider joining online groups in the local area to find out more about what life looks like in your potential new community.
