In 2022 more than ever, the lift of travel restrictions was followed by a surge of folks traveling around the globe, flooding our Instagram feeds with the most dreamy locations. Top destinations seemed to be concentrated around European cities in  Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal. But for some, these destinations were more than just an Instagram moment.

The pandemic has changed the way people live and work. While we are still adjusting to these unprecedented times, most of us  are putting our wants and needs as a priority, moving and changing careers in pursuit of real work/life balance. 

Portugal has become one the hottest destinations for digital nomads. Since 2021, this small European country of just over 10 million inhabitants has seen its population grow thanks to the thousands of people moving from all over the world. Foreigners now account for about 10 percent of the total population of the country.

Often referred to as the “California of Europe,” (without California prices) the coastal country provides access to one of the most popular beaches in Europe. It is also popular for its natural and diverse landscape, traditional cuisine and for ranking fourth in the list of most peaceful nations of the Global Peace Index. These are some of the reasons why thousands of foreigners now call Portugal home.

Shar Wynter is one of them. She left Atlanta in 2021 and decided to relocate to Lisbon for a better quality of life. The cost of living in Portugal is about half of that of the U.S. But better quality of life is not only about better housing costs, cheaper food and a beautiful climate. 

“Black Americans will normally find that they’re treated well here and won’t have the same type of lethal racism that you see in the U.S., even though racism and microaggressions exist,” Wynter says.

As Portugal is becoming known for its start-up scene, Wynter, like many other foreign entrepreneurs in search of new beginnings, started her new business in Lisbon in 2021.  

Wynter created Xpat Inc, a digital platform for the global Black community that studies, works and lives abroad. Xpat Inc disseminates information through multiple channels  to build community, spread awareness and discuss the practicalities of living abroad.  Xpat Chats is a podcast highlighting the stories and experiences of Black expats living abroad. And Xpat App is the community directory where different types of information and experiences are shared.

“Our mission is to improve the social mobility and overall well being of the Black community by providing exposure and access to experiences, networks, and opportunities abroad. We accomplish this through knowledge sharing, community building, and amplification of Black voices,'' Wynter says about the platform.

In an interview with Blaxit Global, (a youtube channel providing information, inspiration, and empowerment for members of the African diaspora around the world) Wynter explains her journey to building her company. With insights from her travels to over 50 countries during her gap year, the idea for Xpat Inc came from her own experience living abroad.

“I was having a hard time finding insights from Black expats, they are all these expats communities but as  Black woman, I needed a female perspective to [understand] what it is like for a Black woman in certain spaces.” This is how Wynter decided to start talking to Black expats and encouraging them to share their experiences.

”I just wanted to create a directory so people could find each other. There is so much richness in our community, all we needed was a tool to mobilize [and] get together. So the goal for the app was born out of a need that I personally had, and also realizing how powerful it was going to be to finally understand the magnitude of our footprint, where we are and how big we are in these various cities and being able to connect.”

The response was immediate,  Xpat App has grown exponentially and organically since its creation in late 2021. With thousands of members representing over 110 countries and territories around the world, the app is on its way to becoming a staple for Black travelers.

Shar Wynter’s Xpact Inc is one of many ways people are creating and innovating to fill a void that has been recognized within the Black community. “We are the default in the Xpat App, our blackness is the default…there is no need to do the extra search and I love that. I think when more people realize just how powerful it is to have a community, [more people will start] sharing stories that change lives.”

Find out more about Xpat Inc, Xpat Chats and Xpat App.

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