草榴社区

Tell us a little about you, Sierra.

I would describe myself as a globe-trotting creative with a passport full of stories and a heart rooted in curiosity. I lived in Washington, DC, before making the decision to move to Mauritius in 2023. I first learned about Mauritius in 2019 and became aware of the Premium Visa in 2020 on a random morning in Washington, DC, when a Google article was recommended to me featuring a list of digital nomad visas from around the world. Unfortunately, many Americans are not knowledgeable about Mauritius, so I saw this as an opportunity to become a catalyst and travel to the island to film and document my findings through my 草榴社区 Sierra blog and YouTube channel. Over the past couple of years, my content has connected me not only to Americans but to many curious individuals from around the world who are interested in traveling to Mauritius to see if it's a great fit for them.

So, you moved to Mauritius on a Premium Visa. How was the process?

I actually entered Mauritius on a tourist visa for 90 days first. I wanted an opportunity to tour the different neighborhoods with a real estate agent before applying for the Premium Visa. Once I signed a year-long rental lease, I applied online for the Premium Visa, and I remember the process being very easy. Moreover, Mauritius has one of the most simplified online visa applications for a digital nomad visa that I've ever seen. The wait time did take a while, which made me a little bit nervous, but one day, the visa suddenly arrived in my inbox.

So you're a little bit of an ambassador for Mauritius. What are the profiles that show the most interest in Mauritius?

I literally just joked and mentioned to someone that I do feel like an American ambassador in Mauritius. It's mainly because many people use Google and YouTube these days to search about coming to Mauritius before they arrive, and that's how they find my content.

Now, you posed a great question about the types of people who show interest in Mauritius from what I've observed. First, I would say that the biggest demographic would be people in their 50s-60s. There was a reel that went viral early this year on Instagram informing people aged 50+ about the retirement visa in Mauritius. As a result, I've received many inquiries about how to apply, how to find a list of requirements, the best neighborhoods to stay in, etc. The next demographic consists of people interested in coming to Mauritius to find work. The last demographic would be families, who typically want to know about the best neighborhoods and accommodation costs.

What does Mauritius mean to you? Tell us about what you love and dislike and how you feel about the island.

I've been traveling for various purposes since the age of 17, but Mauritius is now officially the place where I have spent the longest amount of time outside of the United States. I love Mauritius for its natural beauty. I'll always be a big city girl at heart, but there's something about this island's majestic mountain ranges, warm turquoise waters, and endless biodiversity that takes my breath away each time.

One of the struggles I've had while living in Mauritius is the quality of customer service. I believe in customer success, which directly correlates to customer experience and retention. Currently, two of my favorite establishments in Mauritius provide me with this type of experience through their intentionality and dedication, which are both felt from the moment I enter, order, and exit. Conversely, I hate to also admit that I've encountered a lot of establishments in Mauritius with a 鈥渢ake it or leave it鈥� mentality. This is a bit frustrating from a consumer point of view, but it has made me want to show more of my loyalty and appreciation for the establishments that do make an honest effort.聽

If I could describe how I currently feel about Mauritius in one word, I would say 鈥渉opeful.鈥� Personally, I hope to see Mauritius become more of a millennial-friendly destination for digital nomads over the next couple of years. To be specific, I'd love to see the expansion of the metro express/light rail train to other parts of the island. Also, it would be very convenient to have access to more online grocery and food delivery options that can be tracked in real time. Moreover, I'd love to see more healthy food selections at cafes, restaurants, and grocery stores for those that have alternative diets or maybe are more health-conscious. Lastly, I think it would be great to see more customer loyalty programs that can foster better, empathetic customer service and make the customer feel acknowledged while ultimately boosting revenue for businesses.

What do you do for a living in Mauritius?

I'm definitely a Jane of all trades type of person. I recently obtained a job working for an organization that collects and distributes music royalties for music artists who have their music played on digital streaming platforms. When I am not working my full-time job, I also freelance as a web designer, blogger, vlogger, and ESL instructor.

How do you balance your multiple roles, from vlogger and blogger to ESL instructor and royalty collection professional?

I believe in balancing a job and a dream until you can get to where you ultimately want to be. It could also be an American mentality thing where I often feel like I have to be doing something in order to be productive. So, my 鈥渇ree time鈥� usually includes doing a creative project, but it also doesn't exactly feel like work because I'm doing what I love and feel passionate about.聽

How do you meet Mauritians or other expats as a digital nomad?

I found the center of the island to be more family-oriented, and it exposed me to a more local vibe. With time, I met other Mauritians willing to help me navigate my new surroundings and introduce me to their culture from a native perspective. When I lived in the north, it was quite easy to encounter other expats, but I had a hard time with this when I relocated to the center of the island. I eventually joined an online networking community called The 草榴社区 Woman and was able to participate in monthly group calls with expat women from all over the world. This made me feel affirmed and understood, which is really important as an expat because we deal with a particular group of collective experiences that might be difficult for non-travelers to understand. Ultimately, I suggest that all expats strive for a good balance of making local and expat friends. Neither is more important than the other, and both are essential for a good quality experience.

Are you able to connect with other entrepreneurs on the island? Is it easy? How do you find the entrepreneurial scene in Mauritius?

Yes, I've connected with a few other entrepreneurs on the island through networking events. One of the great benefits of living in Mauritius is that there is a lot of room for innovation and opportunities for business ideas to come to fruition. With that said, I am not currently aware of a central location where I can find useful information regarding monthly networking events throughout the island. Hmmm, that could actually be a good business idea!

You also have a blog with a gluten-free and vegan-friendly food directory. What made you want to create this?

I'm a foodie at heart, but unfortunately, I built up a few food intolerances over the years. As much as I love how vibrant Mauritian food is, it sometimes has been a struggle for me as someone who is allergic to milk and gluten. I took note of this in my first year in Mauritius, and like most entrepreneurs, I decided to fulfill a need in a place where I saw a need. It took me a few weeks of extensive Facebook, Instagram, and Google research, but I eventually created an online directory where people can find the names, business types, locations, phone numbers, and descriptions of establishments in Mauritius that offer gluten-free and vegan options. Google must have seen this as a helpful resource because my analytics show that many visitors, from Europe in particular, visit the directory to learn more about places where they can find suitable food options in Mauritius. I have over 92 establishments listed in the directory housed on my 草榴社区 Sierra blog.

How do you enjoy Mauritian food with intolerances? Do you cook?

Due to my food intolerances, I often have to prioritize cooking rather than eating out in Mauritius. However, I'm happy to say that I have slowly noticed that cafes, restaurants, and grocery stores on the island are starting to offer more selections for people with alternative diets. As I mentioned earlier, my website analytics for the gluten-free and vegan directory prove that there is a growing interest in these items in Mauritius, which also means more opportunities for businesses. I hope that Mauritius will continue to embrace this expansion of inclusivity.

What's your favorite Mauritian food/snack?

In a perfect world, I would have Mauritian mango salad every day of my life.

What is your highlight of the Mauritian experience?

My highlight of being in Mauritius was when I had a rare opportunity to work as a biologist for a day at the oceanarium, Odysseo in Port Louis. This was actually a childhood dream of mine that gave me a unique opportunity to learn about marine life in the Indian Ocean while assisting in the day-to-day tasks of a marine biologist from behind the scenes. I highly recommend it to other nature enthusiasts.