Expat interviews from Mauritius
Leisure
In 2010, Lynn Smith visited her son who was working in Mauritius. She was so smitten that a year later, she moved to the island for good. Here's what the expat artist has to say about her new home.
Work
Marlene Cronje is a South African expat with more than 8 years of experience in the creative industry. In 2016, she relocated to Mauritius for a change of pace and some exciting business opportunities. She tells us about her life on the island.
Everyday life
Nicola is a British expat who relocated to Mauritius to reunite with her Mauritian fiance last October when the borders had reopened. She talks to us about living on the island amid the pandemic, between two lockdowns.
Everyday life
Dolores Semeraro is an Italian expat with more than 15 years of career in the hospitality industry, marketing and commerce. In 2016, she moved to Mauritius after staying in the Maldives and China. Dolores recently started a podcast called “Truth Behind Travel”, on which she interviews leaders and experts in the travel industry.
Everyday life
Francesca first discovered Mauritius in 2004 and immediately fell in love with the island. Today, she is the happy wife of a Mauritian and is enjoying her expat life, based in the north of the country. She talks to us about her intercultural experience.
Schools & studies
Would a global pandemic stop Sarah Hofbauer from living her dream of studying in Mauritius? Not a global pandemic, not the tedious procedures, not the uncomfortable flight and definitely not the two-week quarantine. The young Austrian student started her course at the University of Middlesex this week.
Leisure
Before getting to the island, he had not heard a lot about little Mauritius. Today, Javier, a Spanish expat, knows this island by heart. He fell in love with the dolce vita, the beach life, the warmth of the inhabitants, the lively music…
Lionel Magisson is passionate about entrepreneurship and, above all, devoted to entrepreneurs. Originally from Normandy, he landed in the Indian Ocean in the early 1990s. After spending a few years in Reunion Island, he decided to relocate to Mauritius where he started his own business in 2011. He talks to 天美麻豆 about his expat journey and shared his view about entrepreneurship in his host country.
She is herself an expat in Mauritius. Sophie Gidrol is specialised in accompanying expats having lost a closed one or living abroad while a loved one is dealing with a progressive, incurable disease.
Sunniva is a Norwegian expat who has been living in Mauritius for nine years now and like most Mauritians and residents, she was devastated when the MV Wakashio ran aground on the 25th of July 2020. The mum of two, therefore, decided to write a book recalling the chronology of the shipwreck. The pictures in “Wakashio- Oil Spill in Paradise” were also painted by Sunniva's friend.
Moving
Before completing her Master's in Non Profit Administration in San Francisco, Kelly was working in both the corporate and government sectors of Singapore, her home country. Two years ago, what was supposed to be a short-term visit to her husband's mother land, Mauritius, opened their eyes to the flaws of the local food system. Ever since, they have focused on developing a sustainable farming model in Mauritius with international applicability. Kelly speaks to 天美麻豆 about the unexpected change in the course of her life and how she feels about Mauritius, her new home.
Leisure
Laura spent two years and a half travelling the world as a backpacker before she moved to Mauritius in 2009. She has now set up a cultural business and organises the popular Kaz'Out which is one of the leading festivals on the island. Laura shares her cultural passion with 天美麻豆.
Moving
The excitement and anticipation when moving abroad goes hand in hand with the anxiety and stress, and all of these feelings are heightened when moving as a family. In any event, embarking on your next great adventure abroad with your family means different priorities and preparation. We at 天美麻豆 spoke to Halima about her experience of moving to Mauritius from Paris with her husband and two children, and what advice she would give other families who are thinking of moving overseas.
Dee comes from Hampshire. She moved to Mauritius four years ago with her husband who was offered a professional opportunity. Dee enjoys volunteering, going around with friends, catamaran trips and watching dolphins, etc.
Other Types
Tax
If you live, work, invest, or are planning to relocate to Mauritius, the 2026-2027 Budget deserves your attention. Far from being a routine fiscal update, it marks a significant shift in the country's social and economic policies. From retirement and social contributions to taxation and property, several of the announced measures could directly impact your finances and future plans. Here's what they mean for expats in practical terms.
Leisure
July promises to be especially lively in Mauritius despite the whims of Mother Nature. With a number of concerts, festivals, sporting competitions, electro nights, networking events, and outdoor gatherings, there will be something for everyone throughout the month. Whether you've just arrived or you're a regular on the local events scene, our selection will help you make the most of this month.
Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam unveiled Mauritius' 2026-2027 Budget on June 19 against a backdrop of improving economic indicators. Inflation has fallen to 3.7%, foreign exchange reserves have reached a record USD 10.3 billion, tourist arrivals exceeded 1.4 million in 2025, and GDP is expected to grow by 3.2%. While the government's priority is to restore public finances, it also aims to strengthen investment, job creation and long-term competitiveness. For expatriates, prospective residents, international students and foreign investors, the Budget sends a clear message: Mauritius is becoming more selective about who it welcomes, while offering new incentives to the talent, capital and expertise it hopes to attract. Here's what you need to know.
Work
In just a few years, Mauritius has built an entrepreneurial ecosystem that is visible, structured, and supported by serious public-private partnerships. But beneath this momentum, deep obstacles persist for expat entrepreneurs: a market too small to scale on one's own, funding that dries up at the worst moment, and a talent shortage that nobody had truly anticipated. An overview of a maturing ecosystem, and what it means for foreign entrepreneurs who have chosen Mauritius to grow their business.
Leisure
June 2026 is shaping up to be a rich and eclectic month in Mauritius. Between retro nights, live concerts, food festivals, theatre performances, sporting events and immersive experiences, this month's agenda is brimming with appointments for every taste and every age. Iconic venues such as the Café du Vieux Conseil, the Caudan Arts Center, and the Trianon Convention Center will host memorable moments, while unusual sites like the Ruines de Mon Rocher or the Domaine de L'Aventure du Sucre promise truly extraordinary experiences. Here is our selection of unmissable events this month.
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