Member Spotlight
getting to know our members beyond the usual chitchat Written by Christin Gustafson Morgan Fogg Steinman is a Texas girl who came to Singapore two years ago with her husband. Last spring, they welcomed a son into their family. Before relocating, Morgan was living and working in New York City as VP Group Sales Manager for News Corp. Now her suit jackets are stowed away and she’s embracing life with her new baby in Singapore. She is co-chair of the AWA Playgroups. What have you enjoyed more about Singapore than you expected? The social aspect of expat life was a pleasant surprise. We each have something in common to instantly bond over. Compared to NYC, everyone has made us feel so welcome. When we first moved here, it was just my husband and me, but having a baby has made me fall in love with Singapore even more. I love how family-friendly the city and culture are.
What do you miss from home that you can’t find in Singapore? Swedish Fish, and Feta Egg White Bites from Starbucks. Did you live in a city before coming to Singapore? Do you escape into nature here? Where and how? I was living in Manhattan before moving here. I love city living, but I do enjoy a nice walk in the park or hike but only on occasion. Singapore fits my preferences perfectly.
Photo Credit: Kate Mitchell LittleOnes Photography
What have you struggled with living here? I left my career in order for us to move here; adapting to that life change was a struggle. Right before getting pregnant, I was considering going back to work. Needless to say, now I don’t have a spare moment, but I’m loving it. What has been your funniest or worst mishap while living in Singapore? When we were looking for a church, I decided we should try the one down the street from our condo. I quickly looked at the worship times and picked one… the entire service was in Mandarin! What advice would you give first time expats? Get out there and say yes to everything! For us, this included an impromptu “glamping” trip to Cambodia with 2 other couples we had just met. Now they are some of our closest friends. Do you have any Singaporean friends? How do you think they helped you adapt? One of the first friends I made here is Singaporean. She really helped me get the lay of the land and introduced me to people. We are still close and I always go to her for advice on cultural questions or where to find items. How do you treat yourself in Singapore? Lady lunches! I was working 50-60 hour weeks before we moved, and client lunches just aren’t the same as lunches with friends.
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Christin is a seasoned expat who enjoys learning how others adjust to their adopted hometown. She is a member of the AWA Writers Group, a busy mom of two sons and has lived in Singapore since 2018. Bamboo Telegraph - Mar/Apr 2020
