In 2007, Stephanie Marie Kempker walked across the stage at Lowell High School to receive her diploma. She had a college lined up and career plans in mind.
However, a trip to Thailand would later change her life trajectory. Today, Kempker spends her days soaking up the sun in exotic locales while working remotely as a copyeditor. She’s an expat who doesn’t think she’ll ever live in the U.S. again.
When we caught up with Kempker in March, she was living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, but she has called locations from Asia to South America her home. She documents her adventures on her website Joy and Journey. There, you can follow along to learn insider tips to expat living or to simply live vicariously through the local girl who has stepped onto the world stage.
One Trip Changed Everything
After graduating from Lowell High School, Kempker took off for Central Michigan University where she earned degrees in religion and psychology.
Her career plans took a detour when she scheduled a trip to Thailand. It was only supposed to last a week, but Kempker end of up cancelling her return flight, finding a job and staying on in the country. That was six years ago and since then, she’s lived in Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City and Puebla in addition to Bangkok and Puerto Vallarta.
“The world is not as scary as the media makes it look, and the reality is far different than what you see on the TV,” Kempker says. “I’ve been living and traveling abroad for more than five years, the vast majority of it in Latin America and as a woman alone. People are mostly good, all around the world.”
Favorite Spots to Live and Visit
When asked to pick her favorite place around the globe, Kempker has trouble naming just one. “Bangkok, Thailand will always have a special place in my heart, especially for living,” she says. However, she also loved visiting the beaches in Thailand, including Railay and those along the Andaman coast.
Mexico is a close second when it comes to favorite countries. “It’s much more diverse – and big – than most people realize, with beautiful cultural cities and towns,” Kempker says. For cities, she loves Mexico City, Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende and Cholula. However, if beaches are your thing, Kempker suggests Isla Mujeres, Tulum and Sayulita. Seeking an adventure? Try Villahermosa for spelunking and hiking or try Tuxtla Gutierrez for those things plus rappelling, canyons and more.
However, of all the spots she’s visited, Kempker says she was most surprised by the Central American country of Nicaragua. “I enjoyed Nicaragua much more than I expected,” she says. “I could have spent months in either Granada or San Juan del Sur.” Among the country’s draws was a number of sustainable and ethical travel initiatives in Granada. These projects help travelers experience the country while also making a positive impact on local communities.
Helping Other Travelers
Kempker’s website, Joy and Journey, is intended to help other people who wish to travel or live overseas. In particular, she wants to provide information and encouragement to women who might be hesitant to take solo trips.
“I had many friends and strangers asking me about my life abroad, especially women, who were interested in but afraid of traveling,” Kempker says. While it’s always important to follow safety precautions, she says that even so-called “scary” cities in Latin America, such as Mexico City, can be visited without fear. Through Joy and Journey, Kempker outlines how easy and cheap it can be to go to destinations around the world.
For those who want to try their hand at international travel or expat living, Kempker suggests first building up some savings. That can be accomplished by cutting out non-essentials from your budget, like lattes in the morning and margaritas on the weekend.
Once you have some money stashed away, focus on locations with an affordable cost of living. “You can get deals on fares on Kiwi.com, especially to Mexico or Central America,” Kempker says, noting that airfare can be the biggest expense for these destinations. “Hotels can be as cheap as $20 or $30 a night, especially off the beaten path. Meals can be had for $1-3, especially if you go to street vendors who have the most authentic and tastiest dishes anyway.”
Kempker, who is now married, doesn’t think she’ll ever return to the United States to live. However, she’ll always have a soft spot in her heart for Lowell. Her dad still lives in the community, and she returns every year for a visit before heading off on her next big adventure.
To follow Kempker’s journeys and learn more about expat living, visit her website Joy and Journey or follow her Facebook page.
Leave a Reply