Expatriates in Bermuda are nothing unusual. But there are also Bermudians who become expatriates themselves.

Marc Wetherhill and his family are delighted with the opportunity of living in the US for the next couple of years.

The chance to relocate came when Mr. Wetherhill was offered the position of legal and regulatory compliance executive for PartnerRe Capital Markets Group in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Becoming an expatriate was not new to Mr. Wetherhill who had his first experience living abroad at the age of ten when he left Saltus Grammar School to become a boarding school student at Lancing College in the UK.

Mr. Wetherhill, whose parents came to Bermuda from England in the 60s, spoke about going abroad as a child: "Leaving Bermuda and my family was difficult, but I was independent from a young age and I have no regrets about going."

After finishing school, Mr. Wetherhill stayed in the UK studying history at the University of Wales, followed by law at the University of Chester.

Mr. Wetherhill took the opportunity to see more of the world before beginning his career as a lawyer, and spent a year travelling around Asia and Australia.

When he returned to the UK he set about gaining solid experience in law by working for three years with the law firm Berrymans Lace and Mawer in the City of London. He fulfilled the strict requirements necessary to be admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in England and Wales, an official list of those qualified to practise as solicitors there.

Mr. Wetherhill returned to Bermuda in 2001 and was called to the Bermuda Bar, granting him the right to practise law in Bermuda, where he spent three years with Appleby before taking the opportunity to broaden his experience to the insurance sector by joining the PartnerRe Group where he was responsible for legal and regulatory compliance, such as New York Stock Exchange and Securities and Exchange Commission reporting as well as other legal support.

Mr. Wetherhill started his new position in February and the first two months of living in Connecticut has been a wonderful experience for the whole family. Although Mr. Wetherhill emphasises that the move is temporary and that the family will return to Bermuda in a few years time he said: "I love Bermuda and Bermuda will always be my home but the opportunity to live in the US for a few years is great. To live in a different culture is a fabulous opportunity both for me professionally and the family as a whole."

Mr. Wetherhill explained that his wife who is originally from England, has taken time off work to be with at home with the children which has been beneficial for the whole family. The couple met when they were colleges at Appleby.

Mr. Wetherhill said that living in a big country like the US is a new and exciting experience for the whole family who have all had a good time exploring the various facilities on offer.

"We have had fun going to 'Toys R Us', the parks and even Dora the Explorer at 'Radio City Music Hall'," explained the father of a three-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son.

He continued: "I have a stepbrother living in Massachusetts whose twin boys had a birthday recently. It was great to be able to get in the car and drive to their birthday party."

Any practical difficulties which can be related to moving abroad have not deterred the enthusiastic Mr. Wetherhill who said: "The move was very smooth thanks to a lot of support from PartnerRe and help from my wife who went out here in advance to find a house. She did a fantastic job finding a house which we are very happy with."

Although Mr. Wetherhill misses everything about Bermuda he added: "I love all things the US has to offer. Living near New York makes it easier to travel than when based in Bermuda, especially with young kids. We are planning to go to Disney in May and the West coast of the US in the summer."

And there is little risk the Wetherhills will be feeling lonely in their new home. Mr. Wetherhill said "We are looking forward to having a lot of friends and family visiting. My mother has already been to see us. My younger sister is coming from Bermuda in the spring and my in laws and godson will follow after that as well as numerous other friends."

In his new position with PartnerRe Capital Markets Group, which was formed to manage PartnerRe's investment portfolio in-house, is very different from his previous job.

Today Mr. Wetherhill has wide-ranging responsibilities such as providing legal support for private market deals, vendor and broker agreements, and the quarterly sign-off process.

In spite of a hectic life Mr Wetherhill is hoping to find time to pursue his hobby. As a keen cricketer and previous secretary of the Bermuda Cricket Board, he has already found a local cricket club to play for in Greenwich.