“Jamaicans in the World” documentaries recently celebrated reaching the 100-episode milestone. The series, which began in August 2019, explores the experiences of expat Jamaicans in a different country each week by asking them, “What’s it like to live ‘there’ as a Jamaican?”. The “Jamaicans to the World” documentaries were created and hosted by Xavier Murphy, founder of the Jamaicans.com platform.
Online viewers have shown they can’t get enough of the popular series as it has received over 4.6 million combined views on Facebook and YouTube – to date.
The documentary uses personal interviews with Jamaicans who have chosen to live overseas and offers others considering similar moves an opportunity to benefit from the experiences of those who have gone before them. The information contained in the interviews is also useful for those planning a visit overseas, as the Jamaican interviewees generously share their recommendations regarding the best foods to try and must-see places.
The interviews do not shy away from addressing more serious issues, such as racism, perceptions of Jamaicans overseas and the challenges of moving to a country with an unfamiliar culture. Expat Jamaicans also discuss the cost of living in their new countries and offer advice on how best to adjust to an unfamiliar environment.
Comments on social media reflect the enthusiasm viewers have for the series, writing: “Wonderful series, Xavier. Congratulations. You can revisit some of these places and interview other Jamaicans who will have other experiences of their own. Can’t wait to watch more interviews” and “Thank you Xavier and your special guests for making it possible to see the wonderful world through Jamaicans living in different parts of the world.
I love this channel and it’s really a great feeling to have watched many of the 100 episodes. Big up Xavier, and “Congratulations, Xavier! Great job! I watch every week and I’ve seen every interview. I feel like I know some of your subscribers personally because I see their names in the ‘Comments’ every week. It’s almost like looking at you “family” Xavier. Keep up the great work!”
To commemorate 100 episodes with the 100th state, Murphy recorded a special video compilation – “9 Things I’ve Learned from ‘Jamaicans Around the World'” – in which he shared some of what he learned from his conversations with Jamaicans who live in 100 different countries around the world.
What he discovered is that Jamaicans are truly global thinkers who believe the world is theirs to explore and discover. Jamaicans are confident and wherever they go, they seem to “just bubble to the top”. Given the opportunity, they will start businesses, move into great leadership positions, and succeed. Jamaicans are adaptable and resourceful, no matter the climate or cultural conditions, they just adapt, adapt and do what they have to do to live in their new country.
Jamaicans not only adapt, but they enjoy exploring new cultures; they are not afraid to go out and explore new foods and new experiences. Jamaican culture and food “travels”. Having a Jamaican passport is almost like having a “royal” passport. They get free stuff and “royal treatment”. They take food with them; some try planting ackee or mango trees to see if they will grow in the new place. They share the music and food of Jamaica with friends and family in the new country.
Murphy also found that people from Clarendon Parish in Jamaica seem to be very adventurous as most of the people he interviewed came from Clarendon. Also, Jamaican expatriates were well traveled before making their move to a new country and the understanding and experience they had before the move seems to help them adapt.
Jamaicans love to travel. When asked what they miss most, almost all interviewees say Jamaican patties and Jamaican KFC. There’s nothing like a Jamaican patty, they say, and nothing like Jamaican KFC. Jamaicans want to connect with other Jamaicans around the world, and people ask Murphy if he can connect them with someone when they travel abroad. Some even want to connect with the interviewees in the series. People always feel more comfortable traveling overseas if they can “connect with another yard and find out how things are,” Murphy said.
So far, Murphy has spoken to Jamaicans living in the following 100 countries: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bali, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon , Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Finland, France, French Guiana, Georgia in Europe, Germany, Ghana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Hawaii, Hong Congo, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Liberia, Macau, Malawi, Mallorca (Majorca), Malta, Mexico, Montserrat, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Newfoundland and Labrador , Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Nunavut, Oman, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Saipan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Gambia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Arab Emirates, Uganda, Ukraine, US Virgin Islands, Uzbekistan, Vietnam , Wales, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Murphy said he is humbled and honored to direct the series and is looking forward to the next 100 episodes.
