Thinking about moving abroad to escape U.S. politics? I’ve lived overseas for years: in China & Colombia, and spoiler alert… leaving the United States doesn’t mean escaping it.

In this video inspired by a comment, I break down what really happens when Americans move abroad expecting to disconnect from nonstop U.S. political news. From taxi drivers in China asking me about Trump and Obama, to Colombians knowing the 2016 election results before I did, to a wild experience in the Bangkok airport — your passport doesn’t disappear just because you cross a border.

We’ll talk about:

-Moving abroad vs escaping U.S. politics

-What expat life is actually like

-How American influence follows you overseas

-Why U.S. elections affect other countries

-Traveling with a U.S. passport

-The reality of being American abroad