In this episode, Yolanda shares how she and her husband moved to the U.S. after winning the Green Card lottery, chasing sunshine and a new adventure. But beyond the excitement of Yosemite road trips and the honeymoon phase of expat life, reality soon set in: loneliness, cultural differences, and the unexpected challenge of building a life — not just living in a new place.

Yolanda opens up about the emotional side of relocating: missing the sounds of city life, struggling with surface-level friendships, and becoming a new mother far from family support. She explains how she navigated homesickness, built meaningful rituals, and intentionally created community — from coffee shop routines to long walks with her baby, and eventually returning to university at Berkeley to reconnect with purpose and people.

This conversation explores the deeper side of expat life:

• Why speaking the same language doesn’t mean cultural ease

• The difference between friendliness and real friendship

• How to build belonging when community doesn’t come naturally

• Why rituals — even small ones — can transform your expat experience

• Learning what you truly need to thrive abroad

• 
  

Yolanda also shares how understanding cultural differences, including what she calls a “stranger-danger” mindset in the U.S., helped her stop taking things personally and instead build authentic relationships intentionally.

This episode is a thoughtful and honest conversation about identity, resilience, and the work required to truly feel at home abroad.

Whether you're considering a move, newly relocated, or years into expat life, Yolanda’s experience is full of relatable insights and practical inspiration.

Café & Bar Recommendations (California – Marin County & Napa Area)

• Blue Barn — A favorite local spot for brunch and salads (Yolanda recommends the Thai chicken salad)

• Jacuzzi Family Vineyards — Beautiful vineyard near Sonoma with unique infused olive oils and wine tasting

• Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs (Calistoga) — Relaxing spa experience perfect for a special day

• Golden Haven Hot Springs (Calistoga) — Another wellness escape in Napa Valley

🎧 Also mentioned:
Yolanda’s podcast — The Places We Call Home
Expat song: Spice Girls Wannabe a nostalgic Brit-abroad tradition during afternoon tea gatherings

Follow for more expat stories:

📘 Meet the Expats Blog

📹 Youtube Channel

📱 Instagram

📱TikTok

Credits:

Intro outro Ice tea, Not the king

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📘 Meet the Expats Blog

📹 Youtube Channel

📱 Instagram

📱TikTok

Credits:

Intro outro Ice tea, Not the king

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an American expat who followed love to Germany—and ended up building a thriving small business in Baden-Württemberg.

Originally from the San Francisco area, Shannon moved to Germany for what was meant to be a temporary chapter. Fourteen years later, she’s still there, raising a family and running her own aesthetics business from the ground up. In this episode, we talk about navigating entrepreneurship abroad, dealing with German bureaucracy, learning the language while building a client base, and adapting to cultural differences without losing yourself.

Shannon shares the reality of starting a business as an expat woman in Germany, the importance of community (especially when friendships come and go), and how she blended her American personality with German culture to create a business that truly works—for her and her clients.

An honest, warm conversation about resilience, identity, and building something of your own far from home.

📍 Location Recommendations (Germany)

• Kazumi (Böblingen) – her go-to sushi spot

• Motorworld Böblingen – where her business is located, plus bars, restaurants, and car lovers’ heaven

• Brazilian Churrasco Restaurant (Stuttgart) – lively atmosphere, music, and all-you-can-eat Brazilian BBQ

🎶 Expat Song

• “I Follow Rivers” – a song that captures the leap of faith that brought her to Germany

Find Shannon: www.californiaglowbeauty.com  

Related article: Starting a business in Germany

Follow for more expat stories:

📘 Meet the Expats Blog

📹 Youtube Channel

📱 Instagram

📱TikTok

Credits:

Intro outro Ice tea, Not the king

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Entrepreneur, community builder, and Dutch expat who turned isolation on the French Riviera into connection, and a thriving international community.

Joshua moved to the South of France in 2018 with his wife, chasing a better quality of life, sunshine, and a slower pace. What he didn’t expect was how isolating life abroad could feel, even in one of the most beautiful regions in the world.

In this episode, we talk about

• the reality of settling into the French Riviera: navigating language barriers, adapting to a slower (very slow) pace of life, and the challenges of building genuine friendships in a place shaped by tourism and transient expat populations.

• how that experience led him to create Next Locals, a community-first platform born from simple meetups over drinks, consistency, and the desire to bring like-minded people together offline

• French culture, the importance of making an effort with the language, the differences between Paris and the South, and how creating a “tribe” is what truly makes a place feel like home.

🎤Song Tell Ol’ Bill - Alternate version by Bob Dylan: https://open.spotify.com/track/4UFz15tiyxEV8w70Az6GtN?si=Rxnj3klnSPiKVVxdhXxTIA

🍕Restaurant recommendations in Cagnes-sur-Mer. 

La Spiaggia : https://www.laspiaggiaplage.com/

Le Bistrot de la Marine: https://lebistrotdelamarine.fr/ 

Next Locals website: https://nextlocals.com/ 

Follow for more expat stories:

📘 Meet the Expats Blog

📹 Youtube Channel

📱 Instagram

📱TikTok

Credits:

Intro outro Ice tea, Not the king

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Serial expats and founders of StartAbroad, a relocation company built from real-life experience moving abroad, sometimes with support, sometimes completely on their own.

From the Dominican Republic to Kenya, Rwanda, an unexpected year stuck in the US during Covid, and finally settling in Costa Rica, Zach and Anna share the highs, lows, and emotional rollercoaster of expat life. We talk about culture shock, common expat mistakes, outdated information, scams, and why moving without the right support can quickly become overwhelming.

They also explain why they created StartAbroad, the kind of practical and emotional support expats really need, and what it means to truly adapt to a new culture, especially when raising a child abroad.

Costa Rica Recommendations

• Gingerbread (Nuevo Arenal) – their favourite local restaurant (pro tip: ask for the chef’s menu)

• Playa Conchal – white sand, crystal-clear water, and perfect beach days

• Marino Ballena National Park – home to the iconic Whale Tail beach on the South Pacific coast

Expat Song

• “Under the Sea” (salsa version) by Alejandro Sanz – the soundtrack of this chapter of their expat life

Considering a move abroad, book a free consultation call

Relocating to Costa Rica?

Follow for more expat stories:

📘 Meet the Expats Blog

📹 Youtube Channel

📱 Instagram

📱TikTok

Credits:

Intro outro Ice tea, Not the king

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Relocation coach, somatic practitioner, and six-time expat who has turned “trying it for three months” into a life philosophy. In this episode, we explore what it really means to build home within yourself—especially when life (and identity) keeps shifting with every move.

Tracey takes us through her first unexpected opportunity at just 16, the resilience she discovered in herself, and the massive identity shift that unfolded years later in Canada, where she learned that relocation doesn’t fix what hurts, it magnifies it. We dive into her FEEL framework for processing emotions abroad, the five emotional phases of relocation, how to recognise when it’s time to move on, and why true belonging has more to do with your inner landscape than your postcode.

She also shares her favourite New York spots (get ready for tacos + crepe cakes!) and the expat song that anchors her to our shared humanity.

Short, deep, and soul-stretching—this one is for anyone navigating the messy middle of expat life.

Footnotes & Links

Tracey’s Recommendations in New York:

• Los Tacos No. 1 – Her go-to for some of the best tacos in the city.

• Lady M – For the famous crepe cakes (matcha is her favourite).

Her Expat Song:

• “Streets of London” by Ralph McTell – A reminder of compassion, connection, and the stories we all carry.

Resources Mentioned:

Contact Tracey: www.traceyzhang.com

• Tracey’s FEEL Framework (Find, Express, Embrace, Let It Move)

• Her ebook: Five Emotional Phases of Relocation

Related article: Identity shifts abroad

Youtube video: https://youtu.be/wPcHq5IiAqk

Follow for more expat stories:

📘 Meet the Expats Blog

📹 Youtube Channel

📱 Instagram

📱TikTok

Credits:

Intro outro Ice tea, Not the king

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After two decades of living abroad in Switzerland and Denmark, Nancy opens up about navigating grief as an expat — balancing a global career in biotech with the heartbreak of losing loved ones from afar.

She shares how returning to the U.S. reshaped her sense of home, what helped her cope with loss overseas, and how she found purpose again by building a new life (and business) back in Montana.

We discuss:

• Managing grief and guilt while living abroad

• Staying connected to family from thousands of miles away

• Reverse culture shock and the pull of “coming home”

• Finding community and faith through life transitions

• The importance of slowing down and listening to your instincts

Nancy’s Picks:
🇩🇰 Copenhagen — Zahida for vibrant dinners & Union Kitchen for a cozy brunch
☕ Montana — City Brew Coffee, where friendly faces make homecoming sweeter
🎵 The expat song: Great Is Thy Faithfulness — a reminder of strength, wherever you are

Related article: Managing grief as an expat

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From starting out as an au pair in Germany to running her own language coaching business, Megan talks about how travel shaped her career, changed her mindset, her top tips for learning languages, and why confidence is the secret to better communication.

We discuss:

• Building confidence when learning a new language

• The difference between language lessons and coaching

• Overcoming “learned helplessness” and perfectionism

• Tips for immersion — from switching your phone language to joining local meetups

Megan’s Mexico Picks:

• 🌮 Tropical Tacos — for cochinita and mezcalitas

• 🥐 Media lunas from local bakeries (Argentinian croissants!)

• 🍝 Francesca’s (Italian) & Celine’s (French) for international flavors

• 💧 Cenotes — natural lagoons perfect for a refreshing afternoon swim

The expat song: Leaving on a jet plane, by John Denvers

Find Megan: Megalanguagecoach

• www.linkedin.com/in/megan-nicholls-59a47077

• https://www.instagram.com/megalanguagecoach

• https://www.youtube.com/@megalanguagecoach

Related articles:

Moving abroad when you don't speak the language

How to learn a new language

Video: https://youtu.be/GL3_KG17BnY

Take online language classes with Lingoda

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In this conversation, we dive into the realities of expat life—the loneliness of the “trailing spouse,” the provider complex that can strain couples, and the small daily habits that keep love and family strong when everything around you changes. With practical tips on making friends, cherishing couple time, and knowing when to seek support, this episode is a gentle reminder that while expat life can be challenging, it’s also a unique chance to grow, connect, and rediscover yourself.

Footnotes

• 🌏 Free Guide – 3D Human Therapy: Download Dr. Yanni’s free guide to psychological independence at psychologyexperts.online/3dform.

• 🍜 Singapore Favorites:

  • Eat: East Coast Lagoon Food Village – hawker delights with Michelin-worthy bites by the sea.

  • Drink: Atlas Bar – a breathtaking Art Deco landmark with world-class cocktails.

  • Coffee & Pastries: Tiong Bahru Bakery – French pastries meet turmeric lattes in true expat fusion.

• 🎶 Expat Song: Fleeting Future by Akusmi – a soundtrack to the fleeting moments that shape our lives abroad.

• Related article: Dealing with emotional burnout due to expat life pressure.

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Co-founder of Boundless Life, a program that helps families live, learn, and work abroad together. From childhood trips and student exchanges to creating a whole new way of schooling on the road, Rekha shares her journey to building a community where children thrive and parents connect while traveling the world.

She tells us about the spark that inspired Boundless Life, what a day in their schools looks like, and the magic of building deep friendships across cultures.

✨ Rekha’s recommendations:

• Café: Zest, Ubud, Bali

• Restaurant: Souldough Pizza, Portugal

• Carte blanche: Watching the sunset from the cliffs of Syros, Greece

• Expat song: “I Am Light” by India.Arie

Related article: How families can go nomad.

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Who met his Mexican wife at work in the US, at the time none spoke each other's language, but still they pushed through one word at the time. His wife, who already had children back in Mexico, had to go back to take care of them, and that's when their 18 year long distance relationship started, with children that he did not see grow up. During those 18 years, Tim managed to go visit her in Mexico 3 times, this by walking, yes walking across the US, until he eventually moved full time to Acapulco a year ago. He's now discovered a completely different life, far from the confort and safety he knew in the US but will finally be present throughout his newborn's life.

His recommendations:

Sharon's Renacimento location https://www.sharons.mx/

Song: El Pipazo de la Simon Bolivar

https://youtube.com/watch?v=rX3ZgGhbEDc&si=1WKggaJedu1kKl3L 

Website: www.familyreunitenetwork.com

Amazon Book: https://a.co/d/5TLZyhu

Instagram: @familyreunite

Facebook: @tscottfamilyreunite

Tiktok: @familyreunite

Youtube: @familyreunite

Related article

Managing Grief as an expat

Meet the Expats the blog

To support the podcast: https://en.tipeee.com/meet-the-expats

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After years of working in the healthcare sector in the US, it was time for a change: a Luxury Marketing Masters in Paris, her dream city. In this episode Tsahia shares her culture shocks regarding life in Paris and differences in the educational system.

We also discuss the similarities and differences with Emily in Paris, the fashion style and how she made friends through communities and her open spirit.

Her recommendations:

• Petit Marcel for the snails

• Le Gainsbourg for cocktails

• for a fancy treat La Réserve and Le Luttecia hotel bars

  
  

🎤 Expat song, I'm gonna to it my way.

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She left Russia with her family to move to Boston, despite the US not being her dream country. After finding a contract there, and trying to fit in to the culture, she moved on her own to New York, where she discovered a vibrant and buzzing city. 4 years in, it was time for a change and to live her dream: move to London.

In this episode we discuss

• The differences when moving with your family versus moving alone and by choice: the empowerment this brings as well as the pressure and anxiety.

• How it becomes easier the second time, despite still feeling uncomfortable

Her NYC recommendations:

• Coffee & flower shop: Artisan

• 32 Food Gallery

• Carte blanche: Bryant Park

Her expat song: Stronger by Thunderstorm Artis

To support the podcast: https://fr.tipeee.com/meet-the-expats

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New Yorker now living in Brussels, Belgium. After a layoff as a teacher in the US, Angela decided to make her first move abroad to South Korea. As South Korea did not "feel like real life", as in she did not see herself settling there for good, The Netherlands seemed like a good option for her. She moved there, and set up her business discovered the local culture for a few years before moving next door to Brussels with her partner, but this time pregnant.

In this episode she shares her tips to settle in a new culture and welcome a child, also how important it is important to communicate with your partner your expectations and boundaries for life abroad, and life abroad with children, moreover when both of you come from different cultures.

Her recommendations in Brussels

🎶 Jazz at L'archiduc Jazz

🥩 Have diner at Saint Géry

Expat song, Adventure of a lifetime by Coldplay

Find Angela: https://www.expatparentingcollective.com/

Related article: Expat parenting tips

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Half French half American, she grew up between France and Tahiti where she had family, before moving off to Los Angeles living the American teenage and college dream.

She is now back in France, where she joined Ayoub as co-founder of Carom, a unique social networking app designed to connect you with like-minded individuals who share your interests and activities. As an expat and as an adult, meeting new people or just connecting with your friends to go out to restaurants or events is harder. Carom enables these connections around cultural, foodie, and sports activities.

Her recommendations in Paris

• Restaurant Hemicycle for the pastry chef

• Opéra Garnier

• Concerts at Hotel le Marois

Song Max Richter the Four seasons

Learn more about Carom: https://caromapp.page.link/okRuxdSm7cUU5nWz5

Related article: 10 proven ways to make friends as an expat

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Expat in London for 14 years now, she shares her love for languages and how she is juggling her Italian and french roots while living in London bringing up two kids who are embracing all the cultures and languages they are surrounded with and making them their own.

We dive into education differences in France, Italy and the UK. how Fiorenza has become so attached to vibrant London and of course she shares her recommendations for the city.

Sky garden for food with amazing views

Lockdown Bakehouse bakery for the best croissant

Carte blanche: the parks in London Hampstead Heath

The expat song: Growing up by Run River North https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz4ZOAsjW6g

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Pakistani award-winning journalist, he has been living in exile in Paris since 2018, following a kidnapping attempt. Listen to his journey from fleeing Pakistan, to finding exile in France with his family, and building a new life by founding the Dissident Club, a Parisian cultural bar open to all.

His recommendations:

🥩 Eat at a Bouillon in Paris (Bouillon Chartier, Bouillon Julien, Bouillon Pigalle) for traditional food in a lively art deco hall

Have a stroll and picnic along Canal de l'Ourqq

His song Liquid Spirit by Gregory Porter

📚Find his book here

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Fellow Expat podcaster he has moved his life twice now, in two very different situations. In this episode he shares how he left is native Spain, to settle in Frankfurt, Germany, with only 2 weeks notice 😱, as a job opportunity came up, and then a few years later, this time in a remote job he followed his partner who had an opportunity in Athens.

Now settled in Athens he shares his insights on Greek life: the slow way of life of the city, and the small-town vibes each neighborhood has to offer.

His recommendations in Athens:

☕ Banca café

🍸 Ramon bar

🛹 Latraac skate café

🌯 Lostre Kuisina for Greek cuisine

His song 🎤 from the band Social Waste

Listen to his podcast Expat Experts

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Pakistani, TCK and eternal expat, Mariam has lived in over 10 countries: moving alone, moving with her husband, and later moving as a multicultural family with their three children. Together, with her German-Italian husband, they have found different ways to bring their own cultures into their children's lives, creating traditions and some stability, all while embracing what each country has to bring. Each creating their own Mola as she likes to describe a TCKs identity.

As her expat life evolved, Mariam found new ways to reinvent herself and shifted her career towards writing. In this episode, she shares the story behind her novel The Guilty Can't Say Goodbye, a love letter to Portugal, and the relationships between three expat women with their own secrets, guilt, and hopes for a new life.

Now in Cascais, Portugal her recommendations are

☕ Lusophonica café and radio for the best flat white in town

🐟 Surpresa grill for fresh seafood

Two expat songs 🎤

No roots Alice Merton

This City by Sam Fischer,

Related articles

Growing up as a TCK

Expat parenting tips

More about Mariam here

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After living the island life during part of her studies, she moved to New York to start a new life and settle. In this episode she shares

• her arrival to the city by sea, on a cargoship just like immigrants would

• how she made her dream of working at UN a reality

• the changes New York has been through

Expat song: Empire State of Mind by Alicia Keys

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Half American, half Swedish, and part Malawi, she is the definition of multi-cultural. In this episode she shares her struggle to understand her identity and the multiple moves she made as a young woman eager to discover the world and what it has to offer.

After a couple of years in the US running after bills, she made the move to Sweeden for a new start in life, enrolled in University, and moved to a few other European countries before settling in France to join her partner in life. They spent a couple of years in Paris suburbs, and then decided on La Rochelle as a compromise to life abroad to settle their roots in a small city by the sea.

Her recommendations for La Rochelle

🍸 Curious bar for interesting cocktails

🍷 Bons vivants for their wine selection

🌶️ Les petits clous restaurant

🍦 Romeo ice cream

🎤 Hurdy Gurdy Man by Donovan

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In their 20s they decided to go live abroad together, and then expat life just never stopped. They traveled from country to country, leveling up as English teachers, until it was time to move on to a new project and go back to Europe.

They are now living in Portugal, and have launched Expats Everywhere, helping aspiring expats make the move.

Recommendations:

☕ SO coffee roasters

☕ Negra Café

O Buraco restaurant

Brasau restaurant

FC porto stadium

Covello park

Check out their Youtube channel

Related articles:

25 essential expat questions to ask

How to learn a new language

Take online language classes with Lingoda

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In her late teens she left Russia for a few months exchange in the US and hated it! But having met the love of her life there, she took it upon herself to go back and go to college there. Fast forward 18 years later she has settled there, overcome all the challenges and now moved to France with her family. This new move came with it's own challenges such as language, culture and of course a new way of life.

On her 5th language now Elena shares her foolproof method to learn and a little more about her upcoming l 5-day free language challenge https://lgelena.com/language-flow-blueprint-challenge/

website
https://lgelena.comMy podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foreign-language-roadmap/id1725992122

Recommendations

☕ Mokxa for wonderful coffee

🌳 Take a stroll along the Rhone and Saone

🎤 Song: Mon ami by Serena x Adrea Banuti

To get in touch with Elena:

Website https://lgelena.comMy

Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foreign-language-roadmap/id1725992122

Related articles:

Moving abroad when you don't speak the language

How to learn a new language

Take online language classes with Lingoda

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Who initially moved abroad to understand her ancestors past, she fell in love with travelling and followed her husband throughout his postings in Africa in the midst of the AIDS pandemic.

In this episode, she shares:

• What life in Africa was like in the 90s

• How she adapted to the different cultures and made friends

• Life with young children abroad

• The many adventures and lessons life abroad has taught her

You can find more of her stories in her latest book: Circling Home, What I learned by living elsewhere

Her recommendations:

🇨🇭in Switzerland

• Café du Soleil in Geneva for fondue

• Perle du lac

• Diner Cruise

🇹🇿 Zanzibar

• Tembo House Hotel

• Blue Oyster Inn

Her song by Karolina by Awilo

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Life and career coach, Jessica is an expat living in Dubaï. After several years spent in Spain, in the hospitality industry, she met her now husband and moved to Dubaï together.

In this episode she shares 

- the decision process to move to Dubaï with her partner, how this was a joint and timely decision that served both of them

- how to maintain and nurture long distance relationships with loved ones

- how to network in Dubaï

Her recommendations include :

Attiko, restaurant for beautiful views and wonderful food

Her song, by Coldplay x Chainsmokers Something just like this 

related articles

10 proven ways to make friends abroad

For 20% off the first month of your Lingoda subscription, use this link: https://try.lingoda.com/Expats or the promo code EXPATS

If you want to contribute to the podcast, check out this page: https://fr.tipeee.com/meet-the-expats/

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Artist, and author, he shares his atypical life starting with a life changing childhood. We then move on to his struggle with depression and how moving to Germany with his wife and children was the change he needed. With this move came a new lifestyle, as he became a stay at home dad looking after his 4 four children.

In the small town of Minden and surroundings, he recommends:

- Paradiso italian  restaurant 🍝

- Schafers brot  bakery for bread rolls 🍞

And surprisingly his expat song is Sponge Bob https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He-LBIyBUz8

Related articles:

Managing grief

Dealing with emotional burnout

Meet the Expats the Blog

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Korean young woman, expat podcaster and founder of HeyGlobally. Early on, she knew deep down she wanted to live in North America, Korea was just too small and traditional for her. 

In this episode learn how she worked her way over to Canada, where she now feels "comfortable" as she says.

Listen as we explore:

- Culture shock even though you move to a nearby country

- How strangely you can feel less lonely alone abroad then in your home country

- How her expectations prior to moving to a new country changed throughout the years

She shares her recommendations

in Singapore: Atlas, Gin Bar for fancy cocktails🍸

in Toronto: try the apple fritters 🍎 at The Fourth Man in the Fire Pizzeria

Check out the beach area in Toronto

Her expat breakdown song is Big girls don't cry by Fergie

Listen to Lucy's podcast here: https://www.lucyjeon.com/podcast

Lingoda's November 2023 👻 offer, get 20euros off with the MEETTHEEXPATS promo code, sign up here: https://try.lingoda.com/MeetTheExpats

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A conscientious Vietnam war objector and author of The Good Lord Willing and the Creek Don't Rise: Pentimento Memories of Mom and Me.

In this episode he shares the stories of his travels around Europe and the world, roadtripping from France to Iran, until he decides to settle in Japan where he moves his way up from a simple teaching job on a student Visa to full-time dean and eventually retired with a pension in a small city close to Fukuoka. 

His recommendations for Japan:

🐟 Log House Alaska  for smoked salmon

🎶 Road  by Takahashi George 

To learn more about Robert and his books, click here 

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American expat living in San Miguel de Allende, Ann Marie left on a sabbatical to test living there with her husband, years later they are still there living their dream among the artistic community.

Very she quickly she got involved in the local community helping build houses with Casita Linda  and then launching Mano Amiga to empower women through microloans for their small businesses.

Recently she wrote a novel The broken hummingbird   the story of an american woman moving abroad to fix her marriage and finding her new path.

Tips in San Miguel de Allende:

San Miguel Life: https://www.sanmiguellife.com/blog

Academia Internacional de San Miguel de Allende: https://academiasanmiguel.org/

Atrio Restaurant https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g151932-d13316579-Reviews-Atrio-San_Miguel_de_Allende_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html

No Volveré (Pedro Infante) https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=no+volvere+pedro+infante+video&view=detail&mid=D82AA859D0C4C1F2366FD82AA859D0C4C1F2366F&FORM=VIRE

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In this special episode, we talk about love ❤️  and dating abroad. I interviewed 3 expats Laurie, David and Sangra at a Pitch Dating event in Paris, and they shared their dating stories;

1. Laurie, founder of 💕 Pitch Dating  tells us about this fun concept of meeting new people and what it was like dating Swedes  in London 

2. David tells us about the 👻 scary dating world in Paris with mixed lines and the importance the friend circle plays when it comes to dating a REAL Parisian

3. Sadra shares the differences between dating 🇺🇸 American boys vs 🇫🇷 French boys and how things seem to go a lot faster in France, and a juicy Italian first date gone wrong 

- music by talented Not The King.   -
free download: https://theartistunion.com/tracks/efa832

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In this episode the french couple shares their surprises, challenges, discoveries and adventures along their first expat adventure in Miami. We explore what each other's expectations with this trip was as well as their own motivations to take the leap.

Both also share their discovery of the latin culture and recommendations:

- 🍸 bar: Botanico gin  in Coconut grove

- 🐟 restaurant Aromas del Peru  for ceviche and https://bullagastrobar.com/Bulla gastrobar  for spanish tapas

- Winwood district upcoming neighborhood

- Key Biscayne beach

🎶 Songs

Welcome to Miami by Will Smith 

Cody Johnson Till you can't 

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An american young woman living in Malaga, Spain for the past few years. In this episode, she shares her love for latin culture and how she improved her spanish and adjusted to the slow-paced life, but also the story behind the local traditional music Verdiales: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1mOsB1AXwo&list=RDQMAFekszLRTH4&start_radio=1

Her recommendations:

La Tranca : bar with old records

El Pimpi : one of the oldest wine bars, now co-owned by Antonio Banderas

Botanical Jardim 

Song: Alba  by Antionio flores

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Former expat, he has lived across the globe, and now back in Michigan is CEO of Greenback Expat Tax Services.

In this special episode, he shares his experience abroad and the results of the recent 2023 Expat Trends Survey built by Greenback. The survey, conducted among over 3,200 US expats across 122 countries, provides invaluable insights into the lives and sentiments of the growing expat community.
From revealing that 1 in 5 US expats are seriously considering or planning to renounce their US citizenship due to tax complexities and perceived governmental hostility to exploring the struggles expats face with government regulations, the survey results shed light on the unique challenges faced by US citizens living overseas.
Interested in diving deeper into these insights? We invite you to explore the full results of the 2023 Expat Trends Survey on Greenback's website. This is a must-read for any American living or considering a move abroad. And if you need help with your expat tax situation, remember, Greenback is here to simplify the process and take the stress out of US expat taxes.

Mike also shares his recommendations across the globe 🌏

☕ Coffees in South Korea, pick your theme or animal, name it you will find one to your tast

🍣 Food in Japan, any small convenience store will actually have very fresh and good food for a bargain

🦓 His carte blanche is going on a safari in Africa to feel the magic and go back to childhood

His expat song, or should I say his guilty pleasure is Baby by Justin Bieber  as a reminder of the kids singing and dancing in Tonga.

Need help with your taxes? get help from Greenback Tax Services

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Childrens author now based in Germany for over 10 years, she shares her arrival in the small city of Bonn and how she made her place in this little town by taking part in the things she loves: books and gardening. 

Indeed she joined the library as a volunteer and very quickly became a part of the community, same by joining the shared gardens and growing her vegetables she has been able to share with experiences with both the locals and migrants of the town.

Her recommendations

Bar: 5 Senses Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5senses_espressobar/

Restaurant:

Früh am Dom (Cologne): https://www.frueh-am-dom.de/brauhaus.html

Expat song: "Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman 

Beethoven's Für Elise --Bonn is Beethoven's birthplace and the ice cream truck plays the first line over and over.

Carte blanche: Botanischer Garten (Uni Bonn) https://www.botgart.uni-bonn.de/en

For a free copy of Trouble with Parsnips, click here: https://mybookcave.com/direct/trouble-with-parsnips/   (limited offer to 30 days)

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TCK and former expat, after traveling the world for work, staying in hotels and short term rentals, he settles back in Paris and enters the real estate industry: this is the premises of Coco. 

In this episode he shares how he founded  Coco Living with the wish of reinventing life in the city of Paris. Coco offers furnished apartment rentals, access to co-working spaces and events to create meaningful connections between internationals. Socialize with like-minded entrepreneurs and creatives in Paris!

Try his favorite places

🥩 Le Dauphin

💃 Bonnie for a  full night out with the best views of Paris

The expat song Puisque tu pars , Jean-Jaques Goldman

If you want to contribute to the podcast, tips against shout outs can be made through Tipee 

Related article https://meet-the-expats.com/expat-tips/10-ways-to-make-friends-abroad/

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Dian was a senior scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, where she contributed to the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize–winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 🌱

After her early retirement, she decided to live the adventure abroad with her husband as english teachers. Little did they know they would end up in Thailand teaching kindergarten children! 🐥

In this episode, she shares how she approached life abroad at 60, adjusted to an entirely new work environment, to say the least, and navigated her life back in the US a year later, publishing her memoir: Kindergarten at 60  📗

Her recommendations are:

• Adam cafe for refreshing drinks and AC
• Paii restaurant in Bangkok 

🎵 And her mediation song breathing in, breathing out  

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Irish expat in France for decades, Susan tells us how a love story turned her vacation in Paris into a lifetime in France ❤️ Having spent the different stages of her life abroad, she shares how she went from party Susan to motherhood and how that impacted her social life but also how drinking became a form of self-care. She gives us practical tips to be aware of our drinking habits, especially when abroad in cultures that put drinking at the center of social interactions and how to find both yourself and the tribe that fits you.

Paris recommendations:

- Au petit fer à cheval traditional café restaurant in the center of the Marais

- Le paon qui boit: sober drinks store

Song: Me too  by Megan Trainor

Find Susan at: https://www.sharpsensecoaching.com/ 

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Italian young woman, who after a first experience in India and in Colombia, decided Italy would not be for the rest of her life. So with her husband, they planned their escape together, and landed on the US early this year.

In this episode, Giulia shares how for once in her life she has no plan and is letting herself live and adapt, her culture shocks and how she is growing in this new culture.

Follow her adventures on her Youtube Channel The Unplaned Project  and try her recommendations

- Restaurant Palo for Spanish food

- Groceries: Wholefoods for organic food and Trader Joe for international

Her song sang by her husband Iris  

To contribute to the podcast, Tipee here 

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Two sisters who grew up in constant change back and forth between Israel and France and embraced this change early on, making it a part of their lifestyle and live by the motto: see everything as an opportunity, make things happen! 💪

After multiple moves throughout their adult life, they are now both settled in Paris, and running Smoozitive together, helping women live their best life abroad.

Recommendations

🍺 Pub Saint Germain  

🍕 Pasta fresco to get a ta ste of Italy 

🍃 île de la Cité for a meditative walk

Song: Look for the good by Jason Mraz 

To learn more about them check out their website  

related article: 25 essential expat questions to ask

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From Northern Ireland, at the early age of 21, without knowing anything about the UAE, she flew off to become an air hostess at Emirates ✈️ from there, she kept on traveling and living in new countries in the UAE, but also in the US with a husband and child this time, in Australia, Japan. She is now recently back in the UK, much closer to home, but perhaps this is the most challenging move. We discover that the challenges can sometimes be things that we don't necessarily think about at first, like just having to drive everywhere can block your independence.

Close to Cambridge, she shares her recommendations:

🍺 The Punter Pub 

🍔 Honest burger  

🧘‍♀️ Banatyne gym for  yoga and bodypump

and her song, Desert Rose  by Sting to dream of the Dubaî deserts

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He has been travelling the world non stop for 20 years and an expat all over the globe. In this episode he shares 

• how he trasnformed his passion for travel into a business, while moving from country to country 
• how he offers an alternative schooling program both online and in brick and mortar schools, which can be a good solution for expat kids
• his recommendations in Panama City:
  • Salvaje Sushi & steak with a wild show
  • Go for a stroll on Avenida balboa 

Learn more about Mikkel here https://expatmoney.com/about-us , and about the school program here 

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Third Culture Kid and host of this podcast. This week I'm in the 🔥 hot seat and talk through my childhood as a french girl in Ireland and South Africa, how I moved on my own terms later on, surprisingly back to Ireland ☘️, and also my return to France after all those years, my reverse culture shock and of course, the genesis of this podcast 🎙️

I'll share some tips to get through RCS and my favorite spots in Paris

☕ Voie 15 a café  and co-working space on the green belt with lovely terrace away from all cars

🌮 Bazurto for Co lombian tapas and a fun night vibe

🔥 Le Cheval Blanc  for a fancy coffee with a view in a 5 star hotel

🎤 My good vibe song I know there's gonna be good times 

Related article: Moving home as an expat, the story of my repatriation & reverse culture shock

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Who takes us to France, Paris where he has been living for over 10 years. From his experience of moving he shares his tips before a move:

• choosing the best country 

• knowing language will factor in

• making friends can take longer in some countries

• learn if residency or citizenship is the best for you

And his parisian recommendations:

☕ Cafe Pure for a casual parisian café, featured in the romantic movie Before Sunset
🍲 The Hood for fusion food

🌳 La promenade plantée for a stroll in the city

And his song is the opening music and scene to Midnight in Paris  for a stroll in the city

Check out Stephens courses for your dream life abroad here and get an extra free consultation call with him.

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Pakistani serial expat. Despite having moved her family and life several times, this last move to Hong-Kong was by far the most challenging. She explains how the Covid restrictions challenged their arrival and integration into the city. She overcame these and came to love her time in Hong Kong by:

• making a comfortable home
• building strong friendships
• joining local activieiities like playing Majong

Recommendations in Hong Kong

🍸 Argo bar in the  Four Seasons for amazing views

 🌮 Coa  bar and restaurant

🍤 Hutong Sezchua n restaurant

🍲 Punjab Club the only P akistani Michelin Star 

Carte blanche go for a hike in the peak area to get city and sea views

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Who has been living the nomad life for years 🌎 After struggling with money trauma, she now masters her budgets and runs her own business enabling her to travel the world debt free. 

In this episode she explains:

- how her first travels were through cruise work

- how she continues her self care journey when discovering new countries

- the beauty and kindness of the strangers she has met across the world

She shares recommendations in Mexico:

🌮 Vegan tacos at No Mames in La Punta,  Puerto Escondido

🍸 Cocktails overlooking the sea at Almoraduz - https://www.almoraduz.com.mx

🧘‍♀️ Yoga studio Marea for an Asana or Yin class https://www.mareayogastudio.com/

🎤 Thelma & Louise, the Ballad of lucy Jordan 

 Thunder by Ima gine Dragons

Find and contact Vangile through:

www.wealthy-money.com

www.twitter.com/vangilemakwakwa

www.youtube.com/wealthmoney1

wealthy-money.com/spotify

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Power woman, living in Indonesia. 💪

In this episode she shares how, with her husband they made the decision to settle where her career took her, even if that meant more challenges for him to integrate in the remote areas of Cameroun and Indonesia. 

She also opens up about their journey of creating a family and going through the process of medically assisted fertilization as an expat.

Her Indonesian recommendations:

🍹 Omlandia at the  River Deli Hotel 

🍣 Sushi Tei for authen tic Japanese food 

🦧 Bukit Lawang to see Orangutans

And for the song: Loreena Mckennit Caravan Serai  

Find Fanny Butler and her podcast Vis ta meilleure vie here 

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Who left her life in Moscow to wander the world after a speed dating session. OK, it didn't quite happen like that but... she decided to move to London to start a master and after that realized she needed an international environment and went on to find a job in the Netherlands.

In this episode, we discuss culture and cross-culture communications. Lena explains how she picked up parts of the dutch culture and traditions but also shared her own culture with her close ones there, and how to prepare for culture gaps!

Before moving to a  new country, check the Hofstede insights to know where yo u will have the biggest gaps.

her recommendations for The Hague

- Patagonia beach club for a casual drink https://patagoniabeach.nl/ 

- Millers for foo d

- Go for a walk in the nearby forest to ressource and ground yourself

And her expat song: 🎤

Michael Kiwanuka Love and hate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMZ4QL0orw0 

Reach Lena

IG: https://www.instagram.com/lena.burykh/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080933204446

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaburykh/

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Zimbabwean, who to pursue her dance dreams left home at 17, and moved to the UK to study ballet and then travelled across the pond to find her new new home in Canada.

In this episode she shares 

• her motivations to move and travel through dance
• as well as how writing became a form of expression and of grief for the zimbabwean life she left
• some insights from her poems All forgotten now 

As for recommendations in Calgary, Canada:

🍹Betty Lou's Library  for some litterary cocktails

🍕Avatara fro so me vegan pizza

📚Calgary Central Library for a visit 

🎤 Her expat song take you to the wild with Scatterlings of Africa  by Johnny Clegg

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A young Nepalese who moved to Colorado to pursue university. After graduating she decided to find a job in the US to continue her life there, little did she know how difficult it would be when you need VISA sponsorship.

In this episode she talks us through:

• Her culture shocks 🤯
• The requirements for international postgrads to stay in the country 🌎
• Her tips in Colorado 🏜️
• Her expat song: Françoise Hardy Comment te dire adieu 🎤

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Podcast host of Flourish in Foreign. In this episode, she shares her journey to expat life in Spain, triggered by an intense hike across the country and gives us tips to

• Set your purpose
• Live your expat life with intention
• Learn how to slow down

In Spain for 5 years now, her favorite places are:

🍹Bar: Bugalü Bar - Valencia 

 🌮 Restaurant: Gallo Santo  in Barcelona for Vegan Mexican food

🍦 Amma  - Barcelona for Vegan Gelato

Carte blanche:  Sant Pol de Mar beach close to Barcelona

And her Expat Song: John Mayer "Why Georgia" 

Check out her podcast Flourish in the foreign 

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Well mainly Nicola, he is italian, from Salerno, and has lived in Milan but now lives in Dublin, with Ann, who is Belgian but has lived in Milan, and Youma, french living in Dublin but just as in love with Italy as I am.

Travelling through Italy for a month I wanted to get different perspectives on the country, in this episode we talk about culture, traditions, the food of course and the work opportunities. 

For some food 🍕recommendations, Ann has your back with Ristorante Sant'Eustorgio 

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Serial expat for 25 years, currently living in Dubaï she recently published Expat wife Happy life, a practical book to live your best expat life.

In this episode she helps us explore 

• the questions you need to ask yourself before agreeing to move your life to a new country
• the questions you need to discuss with your partner
• the challenges you can expect

And shares the reason of her book Expat wife, Happy life ! 

Now living in Dubaî here are her hotspots:

• Shimmers  to enjoy great food on the beach
• Nammos  for all the Dubaï bling fun
• Nara  for an exclusive desert experience

And her expat artist is Cesaria Evoria https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-5y1wOw6NQ 

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Born in Spain, from a german mother and a british father, Nifer has forever been exposed to multiple cultures which have and continue to shape her unique identity.

True european and eager to move every so often, we discuss:

• learning multiple languages as a child
• adapting and understanding new countires, their cultures and societies
• sense of belonging

Now living in Paris, she shares her favorite Parisian spots

🎷Jazz bar café Laurent 

🍖 Le select  for nice celebration, try the duck

🚽The Sewers museum for a better und erstanding of how Paris became this city

and her expat song is An englishman in New York https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d27gTrPPAyk

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Who started working remotely waaaay before the panedmic made it "trendy".

In this episode Raul tells us how his very first internship and job were in a remote 1st company 🤯and how then when working in a startup in Chile he navigated back to the digital nomad livestyle: travelling and working is the dream! 🏝️ he now spends 6 months in Spain and 6 months travelling the world.

We cover 

- why he chose this lifestyle with a corporate job

- the must haves when digital nomad

- his love for Colombia! 

and of course his recommendations for Medellin

🌮 Restaurants in Parque Lleras: https://www.medellin.travel/parque-lleras/?lang=en 

💃    El Eslabon Prendido  Salsa bar

💻 Coworking space: co-Work LaTam 

And his nostalgia song 🎤 Cadiz Carnival songs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLGJz844otQ

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Small town girl who after her very first french class, made up her mind to move abroad and become a french teacher! Little did she know, when she made her move later on what she was in for. 💍
In this episode Karissa talks us through all her culture shocks, from living abroad in a region where english is not the official language, to cooking 🥑 with college friends. 

From the differences in educational and healthcare systems to mariage and family. She tells us how she grew and shifted her mindset in this new environment.

And of course, her recommendations:

🥚 Brunch: Le Toaster 

🍸 For drinks Le Sparrow Bar 

🍷 BYOB Le Pegase 

And to test your fluency in Quebecois, try her expat song 🎤  Toune d'automne by Les Cowboys fringants https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k--T1IbA7l8

Music credits

Not The King - Ice Tea : https://youtu.be/xYI0Rrnk1Jo
Not The King : https://soundcloud.com/coreygagne

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Serial expat and tag along wife, as she tells us how she followed her husband through Asia and Paris with just as many repatriations to LA  as moves. ✈️

She shares how she had to reinvent hersefl and shifted from the music industry to writing ✒️ and the challenges a married couple goes through when relocating.💍

All these experiences, her expat circles experiences, and passion for writing led to Em's awful good fortune, where she explores issues of marriage and compromise, love loss and betrayel.  💔

Recommendations:

🍸Bar in Shanghai Mayita http://mayita-shanghai.com/about-us/ for rooftop margharitas

🥐 Café Chez Pierrot in Paris for a neighborhood café https://www.lesrestos.com/restaurant/fiche/paris/pierrot 

Place des Vosges in Paris for a nice stroll in the Marais

🎤 Song: Should I stay or should I go, The Clash https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN1WwnEDWAM 

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A Scottish woman, who decided to leave the UK to teach in the Middle East. After a few years in Doha, and Dubai she has now cummulated 14 years in the Middle East!

She tells us:

- the differences and various levels of conservatism from emiratee to emiratee 

- the yound kids passion for horse and camel racing 

- and her favorite aspects of the Middle East

And here favorite spots in Dubaï:

🍸 Folly for  drinks with a view

🍱  Marina Social for the food  

🛍️  La Mer beach a rea with cafés and restaurants 

And her home song Caledonia by Frankie Miller for those nostalgia days before coming home for Christmas.

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Serial repatriate, and serial expat she has lived in Tokyo, London Abu Dhabi and reptatriated a few times back to Chicago where she is now living. In this episode she tells us what she has learned from her different moves and what changed in her approach to every new move. 

Plus how she has dealt with these multiple repatriations, that she treats as a new task, what is the Reverse Culture Shock and how to deal with it .

And if you are heading to Chicago, check out her recommendations:

🍣Nobu restaurant to feel back in Tokyo, although it is a perivuian fusion style

☕ Café: Floriole  very homemade vibe

🌷Carte Blanche: Alfred Caldwell lilly Pool  for a nice stroll and some meditation space in the middle of the city

And her expat song 🎤 Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7k0a5hYnSI 

Retaled article: how to navigate Reverse Culture Shock

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Who moved to Paris when he was 9, and 20 years later made the move there again, on his terms.

In this episode he tells us 

• how he lived the move as a nine year old 
• how as an adult he decided to join Paris's growing tech scene
• the differences he has noticed in the french startup ecosystem vs San Francisco's Sillicon Valley
• and how to build your network in Paris

Having spent the past 3 years in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, here is his 18th arr. list of recommendations:

🍺Bar: Supercoin http://supercoin.net/super-carte/

🍕Restaurant for #PizzaTuesday Amore Mio https://amoremio-parigi.fr/

⛪Carte Blanche: Sacre Coeur

🎤Ex-Pat Song: Inspector Norse by Todd Terje -- 

And to find out what Kyle is up to in the tech world check out www.startup-roi.com and subscribe to the newsletter here https://startuproi.substack.com/p/coming-soon

Music credits

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Co-founder of SafetyWing, Sondre studied in Norway and started working as a policy advisor for the government. After getting frustrated with the slow pace of government change, he quit his job, and moved to Berlin to start freelancing and embraced the freedom!

He first founded SuperSide (YC W16), a platform for freelance designers. It was here he discovered the lack of a safety net for online remote workers. SafetyWing was then born with the aim of building a global social safety net.

In this episode we discuss:

• The benefits and challenges of being a digital nomad, 
• Sondre shares his tips to stay organised when freelancing and working remote
• What safetywing provides individuals and companies
• How the pandemic is changing the face of not only work but of cities. Now that companies are moving fully remote long term, who hasn't thought about moving to somewhere new?
• The developing of digital nomads communities and castles 🏰
• What it's like to live in San Francisco, Sillicon Valley! 

Of course he shares his recommendations for San Francisco:

🍺Bar: Church Key for craft beers from all over https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/reviews/church-key

🍝 Restaurant: Portofino for the white fish soup https://www.yelp.com/biz/portofino-san-francisco

🌉 Carte Blanche: Lands End trail for the beautiful landscape. https://www.alltrails.com/fr/trail/us/california/lands-end-trail

and his Expat song 🎤Make your own kind of music by Cass Elliot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC6b3RMs5Z0

🚨For more information on Safety Wing and a 5% discount, click here, 🚨

SafetyWing is your home country online. They are building a global social safety net for remote workers worldwide: from health insurance and remote retirement to a truly borderless world

Music credits 🎶

Musique proposée par La Musique Libre Not The King - Ice Tea : https://youtu.be/xYI0Rrnk1Jo 

Not The King : https://soundcloud.com/coreygagne

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For whom voluntary work has always been a part of her life ♥️ and also a way to go on an adventure and start living abraod 🌎

She tells us:

-how via VSO she went to Nepal fro 3 years, working in education and woman empowerment, helping out in remote schools, 

-and then, with her family moved to France for what was initially 2 years... and has now become 10 years. She is an emigrant as she say! 

- and her tips to learn the language: her favorite way being cooking with a frnech woman 

So if you ever stop by Belfort here are Ann's top recommendations:

- 🥩Restaurant: La fontaine des saveurs 

- ☕Cafés: Mon Café

- 🥐Bakery: Boulangerie François. https://patisserie-l-francois.eatbu.com/?lang=fr

And if you have time to go skiing go to La PLanche des Bellefilles resort 🎿

The exapt 🎤song is Amazing grace : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoJz2SANTyo

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This young American with the dream of checking out every single country in the world 🌎 tells us about his solo backpacking experiences throughout Europe and Asia: flowing from ✈️ country to country meeting new people and experiencing unkown cultures. 

With an early passion for travel, he passed his Toefl exam to be able to exlpore the world and is now teaching english in South Korea. He tells us about the differences in curriculum and age, and of course gives us his top recommendations in Busan:

🥓 restaurant: K-Tuna korean BBQ

🍸 bar: HQ for it's views https://www.facebook.com/hq.bar.5/

🏖️ Carte blanche: go to Busan beach

🎤His expat song My Best life by KSHMR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI62sq7U8G0 as he is currently living his best life 

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An englishman who moved to Hamburg twice! 

He first encountered Germany 🇩🇪 watching german  cable TV as a teenager, and from there went off to work in Hamburg a first time.

After a few years back in the 🇬🇧 UK, he started to miss the German rules that initially bugged him and went back to Hamburg, this time relocating with 🎮 InnoGames, Germany’s leading developer and publisher of mobile and online games.

He tells us:

• How he approached his move differently the 2nd time, 
• How learning German helped tremendously to integrate,
• How InnoGames helped him settle in 
• How he now feels home and wants to get involved in local community by having a vote that counts therefore he went on and got his german citizenship, as well as the Irish one (more as a backup for Brexit). 

His recommendations for Hamburg:

🍸 Bar: Sofa bar for a few G&Ts http://zoebar.de/

🍞Restaurant: Lokmam Turkish restaurant with the best flatbread https://lokmam.de/

🚴‍♂️Carte blanche: take a city bike and ride around the city and along the lake.

His expat songs 🎤

• Gloria Gaynor I will survive - getting through the bumpy challenges of any expatriation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZGwHtGBZJU

• Rockeffellar street by Gettia Joani, estoian eurovision song in 2011: the perfect song to beat the streets of Hamburg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxvmdR7oYdQ

🎮InnoGames is Germany’s leading developer and publisher of mobile and online games. The company based in Hamburg is best known for Forge of Empires, Elvenar and Tribal Wars. InnoGames’ complete portfolio encompasses seven live games and several mobile titles in production. Born as a hobby, InnoGames today has a team of 400 employees from more than 30 nations who share the passion of creating unique games that players across the globe enjoy for years.

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Originally from Malaga in Spain 🇪🇸, she was determined to go abroad to the 🇬🇧 UK in Leeds to finish her studies and improve her english, this despite her family not supporting her in this choice. And so, while still studying and living at her parents, having never left home, she took on a loan to make her move happen and enjoy good conditions there without having the stress of making ends meet.

Looking back, five years later, she tells us how the Leeds accent is one of its own, how she wasn’t expecting to feel homesick nor that she would in the end feel home here in Leeds where, after 2 months back in Spain she decided to move here again, and now teached spanish.

Her top recommendations in the city:

☕ Cafés: Fettle https://fettle.uk/ & IF

🌳 Carte blanche: Roundhay parks & Leeds dock

🎤 And her expat song, Let her go by The Passenger https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBumgq5yVrA

To read more about her adventures in Leeds check out her blog: www.mylittleworldoftravelling.com

Music credits 🎶

Musique proposée par La Musique Libre Not The King - Ice Tea : https://youtu.be/xYI0Rrnk1Jo 

Not The King : https://soundcloud.com/coreygagne

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Journalist and bestselling author for "Bringing up Bébé", Pamela moved to Paris in 2004. 

In this episode, she tells us about her initial fears of this snobby and cold city, in some aspects, versus the romantic place fantacised by most americans who see Paris as their escape city. 

We discuss the parenting differences she noticed with the US, from food to sleep and social benefits.

And with "Paris by phone", her debut picture book with Benjamin Chaud, Pamela takes us through this dream of Paris, as Josephine, a little girl travels through the city via her magic phone, and experiences Paris like a real Parisian.

Recommendations to be a real Parisian:

🍳Have a soft boiled egg at Café Charlot in the Marais 3eme arrondissement https://www.theinfatuation.com/paris/reviews/cafe-charlot

🍷 A drink at the clown bar rue Amelot 11eme arrondissement https://www.clown-bar-paris.fr/

🎾 Play tennis in Jardin du Luxembourg

🎤 Josephine's theme song is Stand by your Man by Carla Bruni: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJq2YsoSHk0

Website: https://pameladruckerman.com/ 📚 And free courses: https://www.pandemoniumu.com/ 

Music credits 🎶

Musique proposée par La Musique Libre Not The King - Ice Tea : https://youtu.be/xYI0Rrnk1Jo 

Not The King : https://soundcloud.com/coreygagne

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

A french 🇫🇷 young woman currently living in Brighton who went abroad for the first time as an aupair when she was 19 years old. 

In this episode she tells us how to become an Au Pair, the requirements, how to make sure you will be in good hands and the benefits of this type of abroad experience: great when you have little savings and want minimum stress in organising your leave! 

Check out www.aupairworld.com which she used for both her trips in the USA and Australia.

Whe then change scenes completely and fly off to Cambodia where she interned for 6 months in a Hotel in Siem Reap 🇰🇭 (think Angkor temples). This time Cinthya experiences a real 🙈 culture shock, far away from all the westner culture she knows 👀, everything is different and takes adapting, from, the weather and the rythm at work to the food, shopping and just getting around. A trip she does not regret!

The top recommendations in Siem Reap:

🍵 Café: la couleur du thé for a poolside tea with homemade cake 🍰https://www.facebook.com/LaCouleurduTheSiemReap

🍝  Restaurant: My Little Café for delicious noodles

 And carte blanche go get yourself a massage and relax! 💆

Her song 🎤 , that get’s her in the mood to explore the 🌎 world is Ed Sheeran’s famous Galway Girl. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87gWaABqGYs

Music credits 🎶

Musique proposée par La Musique Libre Not The King - Ice Tea : https://youtu.be/xYI0Rrnk1Jo 

Not The King : https://soundcloud.com/coreygagne

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Originally from San Diego, she fell in love in with the UK 🇬🇧 literally and decided to stay after her degree and having met the love of her life. Little did she know the struggle it would be to go from being an american student in the UK to being able to work in the UK.

In this episode she shares 

• How she obtained a working Visa for the UK
• How she socialised, built a strong professional network and ajusted her communication style to fit local culture
• Launched her own business in London
• Her take on Brexit as an American and how she saw a shift of mindset as the months went by

And of course her insider recommendations for London ♥️

• 🍹 Cocktail bar: Tonight Josephine, perfect for you instagramable saturday night https://www.tonightjosephine.co.uk/
• 🥩 Restaurant Shaka Zulu - rainforest type restaurant with exotic food https://www.shaka-zulu.com/
• 🏢 Rooftop Bar: The trafagar St James Rooftop bar for incredible views https://trafalgarstjames.com/the-rooftop

Her expat &  wedding 🎤 song Take That https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iACXwsP56a0

Music credits

Musique proposée par La Musique Libre

Not The King - Ice Tea : https://youtu.be/xYI0Rrnk1Jo

Not The King : https://soundcloud.com/coreygagne

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

As the founder of Expat Empire, he is focused on inspiring people to move abroad and showing them how to do it.  In this episode he tells us how his passion for Japan started at a very young age, and how he made his dream of living there, come true. 🌟 

From finding a job, to navigating the unique work culture; from exploring the changing streets of the city to finding the best curry in town David takes us on an in depth tour of Tokyo, and even wrote a book: A passport to working in Japan - https://expatempire.com/books/passport-to-working-in-japan/

His top recomendations being

🍹Bar

Bar Gen Yamamoto: http://genyamamoto.jp/bar_tokyo/English.html , cute little cocktail bar, very small so book in ahead and ask for the bar tenders special

🍱 Restaurant 

CoCoICHI: https://www.ichibanya.co.jp/english/ try out the perfect Japaneese curry 

🍻 Golden Gai is the perfect neighborhood to go bar hopping. A narrow street filled with tiny bars each having their unique vibe

As for his Japan theme song 🎤Utada Hikaru's Passion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT-YtuzNqIY

For more about David's experience abroad check out Expat Empire and the meetups he organises https://expatempire.com/

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Author of Sand and steel: a memoir of longing and fidning home. 

She tells us how she left the US during her college years to find a life she could relate to in Israel. First by serving in the military and then joining a Kibbutz where she founded a family. She tells us all about the community life within a Kibbutz, how they have evolved today and dives into what helped her deal with the reverse culture shock she experienced when she and her family made the difficult decision to move back to the USA and find a completely different set of values.

KIbbutz Recommendations:

Kibbutz Sde Nehemiya or Huliot in the North of Israel

Song: An enlgishman in New York  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d27gTrPPAyk

Link to her website: https://www.doritsasson.com/

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A bolivian wine 🍇 lover who moved to France to study and work in the wine industry, liked it so much he became a french citizen.

In this episode Carlos takes us to Marseille, in the south of France. He shares his integration process  with the long apéros, the local codes, and how eventually, he decided to apply for french citizenship and make Marseille his new home.

His top recommendations are

🍹 Coktail bar Gaspard https://www.facebook.com/bargaspard/

🐠  Restaurant Ouréa https://www.ourea-restaurant.com/

🍷 Penfolds Winery in Australia  https://www.penfolds.com/

🍷 Winery in France: Domaine des Ardoisieres, for it's Schiste Cuvée http://www.domaine-des-ardoisieres.fr/

And the song by the Rolling Stones You can't always get what you want https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krxU5Y9lCS8

Music credits

Musique proposée par La Musique Libre

Not The King - Ice Tea : https://youtu.be/xYI0Rrnk1Jo

Not The King : https://soundcloud.com/coreygagne

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

EP 1

Her taxi ride from the airport takes her by the Eiffel Toweer --> Rue de Rivoli --> Concorde --> Arc de triomphe --> Opera --> her appartment in the 5th

🌳 The parc she runs in is Jardin du Luxembourg

She meets Fabien at Café Flore ☕

EP 7

The corporate party with Brooklyn is at Le musée des arts forains and the clubbing afterwards takes place at Bus Palladium http://www.buspalladium.com/

EP 8

The club in where Mindy sings Le Roxie https://roxie-paris.com/

Gabriel's 🥩 restaurant, named les 2 magots in the show but Tera Nera in real life http://terranera.fr/

And my favorite song 🎤 of the soundtrack is Bien que Paris soit gris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqVQtAkYYHs

Music credits

Musique proposée par La Musique Libre Not The King - Ice Tea : https://youtu.be/xYI0Rrnk1Jo 

Not The King : https://soundcloud.com/coreygagne

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Who joined her boyfriend in Chicago gor a year before ✈️ moving to Heidenheim, Germany 🥨 in the midst of the pandemic to be closer to their families.

In this episode, we cover :

• the struggles of moving during a pandemic, 

• how to find a job in Germany 🇩🇪

• cultural differences

She then takes us on a tour of the region sharing a few recommendations

Restaurants: 

🍣  Kokono, nice asian restaurant for sushi- https://www.google.com/search?q=kokono%20heidenheim

🍕 La Strada, italian restaurant in Heidenheim https://www.speisekarte.de/heidenheim-an-der-brenz/restaurant/la_strada_pizzeria

🥩 Wilhelmshoehe - steakhouse in Aalen https://wilhelmshoehe-aalen.de/mittagstisch.html

And her travel & motivational song 🎤 Let's go by Khalid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-CJrEaftKI

Related article: how to find a job abroad

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• Are the french sooo romantic?
• Do the french all have lovers?
  • Do all french romantic films end tragically?
  • Do french men really like older women? I have no answer for that one

Music creditsMusique proposée par La Musique Libre Not The King - Ice Tea : https://youtu.be/xYI0Rrnk1Jo Not The King : https://soundcloud.com/coreygagne

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

• How speaking 🇫🇷 french is so important 
• How we like to say 🚫 NO to every new idea
  • What ⏰  time do we actually start working
  • And ❤️ relationships at work...

Music credits

Musique proposée par La Musique Libre Not The King - Ice Tea : https://youtu.be/xYI0Rrnk1Jo 

Not The King : https://soundcloud.com/coreygagne

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

She tells us how she met the ♥️ love of her life during her Erasmus in 💃Sevilla, and made a 5 year long distance relationship between New York and London work before they eventually settled in together, back where it all started: in Sevilla! ♥️ 

The struggles they went through to be reunited, the VISA paperwork leading eventually to a smooth and welcome reintegration to Spain, although a few cultural differences with the 🇺🇸US that quickly grew on her 😊

She shares her favorite places 

🌶️- El Rinconcillo: The oldest standing tapas bar that's over 350 years old. It was founded in 1670. Their specialty dish is espinacas con garbanzos (spinach with garbanzo beans). It's much more delicious than it sounds! I would recommend eating in the standing tapas area near the entrance instead of the seated restaurant section. (https://www.elrinconcillo.es/en/home/)

🥪- Bar Alfala: A tiny tapas bar with delicious dishes. Breakfast recommendation: "Tostada Andaluza," which is the traditional breakfast toast in Andalusia. It has olive oil, tomato, and Iberian ham.

🥘- Lobo Lopez: A more modern take on tapas. They offer some typical tapas dishes, as well as fusion. I would recommend any of their wok dishes. (https://www.instagram.com/lobolopeztapas/?hl=en)

along with her ➿ mixtape song 🎤"Las Cosas Más Pequeñitas" by Nolasco, reminding us to enjoy the little things in life  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWixcAWJk-w

And check out her blog for extra travel tips  https://siestaandsangria.com/

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No, Emily Cooper is not on the show!

In this series of short episodes of Meet Emily in Paris🇫🇷TRUE/FALSE I review the brilliant (or not, not judging here) Netflix show, with my Parisian eye👀to debunk myths and laugh about our reality. 

In his first episode talk through a couple of scenes regarding the french lifestyle and philosophy of life. This covers:

• 🚬The Smoking in the show, sooooo overdone!
• 🍰The food, no myth there it is a big part of our life: croissants and pain au chocolat are a must, la cornue the🍆shaped cake, how we eat our red meat tender and “undercooked”
• How we know to take our time and do nothing

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Journalist ✍️ and author, who only a few months after meeting her partner embarked on an adventure to live in 🇨🇳 China! First Hong Kong, as a “housewife” as states her visa and then to Xian. Think remote, traditional China! She tells us all about the culture shock, how she had to learn to get around, a lot about the chinese culture, society, traditions and censorship. 

Her top recommendations in Xian are:

🍣 Mai restaurant  a shushi restaurant within the Westin hotel, where she lived https://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/restaurant/details/xiywi-the-westin-xian/5973133/ 

🍹 Peter’s Tex Mex - unfortunately it has closed 🚫 since

📍Carte balnche: City wall and the muslim quarter

And her nostalgia song 🎤  sung in the back of the car when a child during road trips but also in the back of the car with the chauffeur in Xian! Take me home country roads by John Denver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4jxUVhR1X8

To buy her book 📚 and read more about this great adventure in China, 

👉 https://nicolewebbonline.com/books

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Born and raised in Germany🇩🇪 she caught the travel bug early on and jumped on the opportunity when her husband landed a job in Melbourne, 🇦🇺 Australia, country she had always had a link to. So they packed up in Germany and moved✈️ down under. Little did she know that looking for a job in Melbourne 🐨 was going to be so different than in Germany, starting with CVs. She tells us about the major differences she came across and how to overcome the challenges and adapt to succeed. We then explore the major coffee ☕  and breakfast scene Melbourne has to offer, she shares a few of her favorites:

☕ Higer ground lovely loft style café brunch place in the CBD https://darlinggroup.com.au/venues/higherground/

☕  Brighton Soula Espesso  tiny coffee & lunch place near the Brighton Beach Cabins

🍸 Gin Palace for your Gin cocktails https://www.ginpalace.com.au/

🍸 Madame Brussels for a quirky drink with a view, go for the tea garden style http://www.madamebrussels.com/

And tells us about the relaxed way of life🏝️, her favortie stroll being along the Yarra river.

After 4 years they made the move to Silicon Valley, where it took some getting used to driving everywhere and realising you weren’t going to be going to San Francisco 🌉  as often as you thought unless you plan to spend an hour in traffic, we also touche on how covid has made it harder to build friendships with recent connections.

We end the episode with Martina's expat 🎵 Song Sky full of stars by Coldplay, for it's views of Melbourne and many more reasons.

Make sure to check out her beautiful blog https://almondsandsunset.com/ for expat tips and more recommendations in the USA and Melbourne ❤️

Related article: how to find a job abroad

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Founder of Expat Parenting Abroad.

In this 10th episode 🎉 Emily, mum of two 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧  and expat coach tells how after being an expat 🌎 for 10years in Asia, following her husband to Hong Kong, India, and Taipei, where she could not always work 📚 in a traditional sense, at some point needing more in her life she came up with the idea of Expat Parenting Abroad. Through this business she supports and coaches, mothers and parents in their first expatriation through both group sessions and individual coaching sessions using curated resources📚 and digital courses to come.
Throughout the episode Emily shares valuable tips and perspective on a variety of topics ranging from supporting your teens in their transition when abroad, to the logistics of moving ✈️ your family to a new country, and the hassle of finding the right school when you have a choice. From Third Culture Kids (TCK) qualities to finding yourself, feeling empowered 💪 and what you need to feel complete and balanced.

An episode rich in learnings and full of laughter, you can listen to the two 🎵 songs emily mentions

• I’ve had a life that’s good

• Have it all by Jason Mraz

Related articles:

Expat parenting tips

Meet the Expats the Blog

Credits:

Musique proposée par La Musique Libre

Not The King - Ice Tea : https://youtu.be/xYI0Rrnk1Jo

Not The King : https://soundcloud.com/coreygagne

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Who, freshly married 💍, and not specifically attracted by Asia, decided  within one week to move across the world to China 🇨🇳with his wife, and ended up falling in love with this magical continent, leading the way to their next move to Vietnam 🇻🇳.

In this episode he tells us about the tough beginnings arriving in Shenzhen, China, regarding work, the new management styles, food🍲, his wife’s integration and how step by step they came to enjoy life there and then after a short break in France moved to Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh with their two young children. He explains how having this previous experience in China made the move to Vietnam much easier, and takes us through Ho Chi Minh, chaotic, 🌪️ vibrant city, swarming with motorcycles🛵 that you discover through your senses: smell, noise, lights 💡and the life on every street.

His top recommendations for the city are

🍸Bar: Snuff bar https://www.snuffboxspeakeasy.com/ a speakeasy cocktail bar with great whiskies

🥩Restaurant: l’atelier des rêves french cuisine https://www.facebook.com/adrbistrot/

🛵And the best activity to do in Saigon, aka Ho Chi Minh: the old vespa tour https://vespaadventures.com/

🎤And his classic Karaoke song: Take me to your heart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbLT12eg-lw

Music credits

Musique proposée par La Musique Libre

Not The King - Ice Tea : https://youtu.be/xYI0Rrnk1Jo

Not The King : https://soundcloud.com/coreygagne

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

French man who grew up abroad in Burkina Faso and Morocco, very early on Bastien became an expat and learned to adapt and adjust. He straight away caught the travel bug leading him to live a life of adventure around the world🌎. Moving every few years, for him the people you meet make the experience, and as long you have good friends around you, you can feel home 🏡anywhere. 

After highschool he took off with his own wings , literally, by first moving to Canada🇨🇦 to become a pilot ✈️and then moving to his next planes and dreams, flying over Africa in Botswana and most recently a sea plane in the Maldives 🏝️.  Bastien breaks down the bad press the French may have about the Maldives, of it being a closed and strict  country, and gives us a few tips and recommendations to navigate the islands, travel on local islands and live your best life in paradise.

🍣Restaurant: Isoletta at the Vakkaru resort is the best for fresh sushis with a sunset view

🍺Bar: bars are a tricky one, as no alcohol is allowed on local islands each one has a "Boat Bar" that leaves the island for drinks. They don't have name, ask the locals to find them 🙃

His favorite 🏄surf island 🏝️ for the weekend: Thulusdhoo

And as song Bastien chooses Emmenez-moi by Charles Aznavour, as it's a song about travel, looking for a sunny and better place https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OrKMaeQUx0

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As a Bulgarian woman, she grew up under ae communist regime and has since then well caught up in terms of travelling! With 16 years of living abroad, 12 of them all being over 🇩🇪Germany: Rakenburg, Koln and Frankfurt; Stasy tells us about all the german clichés,🥨 🍺and stereotypes. Are they all true? What she likes and dislikes in this country, her personal timeline to master a whole new city, which pieces of Germany, Ireland and Bulgaria she cherishes and keeps in her heart ♥️to create her own unique culture, and how it’s like to give birth and bring up a child abroad. You maybe fluent, your native language will come out in some situations!

And of course she recommends a few spots in Frankfurt:

• 🍺Applewine pub: Gaststätte Dauth Schneider http://www.dauth-schneider.de/?lang=en try the applewine with a schnitzel with green sauce
• 🍔BareBurger https://www.bareburger.eu/ for an original burger with or without meat, bread and incredible sauces
• 🌳Stroll along the Main river to empty your head

And shares the 🎵song she listens to each time she moves city or country: Monday morning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWGUmcFLdu8 by Melanie Fiona, have a listen and see if it makes you want to pack a suitcase 💼 and go on an adventure! 

Music credits

Musique proposée par La Musique Libre Not The King - Ice Tea : https://youtu.be/xYI0Rrnk1Jo Not The King : https://soundcloud.com/coreygagne

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

French woman who has now spent 7 years abroad between Switzerland and Chicago. When in need of a career change Perrine decided to go back to school and do a PHD in Switzerland. She tells us how she embraced the swiss outdoorsy lifestyle making the most of the lakes and 🏔️ mountains both in summer and winter, giving us a few hot spots along the way. 

We then take a leap across the pond and fly to Chicago, as she pursues her postdoc with a grant, but this time with her husband and 1 year old child! 👨‍👩‍👦 Perrine gives us a few practical tips on planning your move with a young child, a glance at what it’s like bringing up a child in Chicago, and the best spots to hang out.

As always we go through few recommendations both in Geneva and Chicago

Switzerland - around Geneva

🍹Bars

Les Voiles https://les-voiles.ch/ for a fancy cocktail by the lake

Tropical corner - Au bord de l'eau for a relaxed drink feet in the sand

🍳Restaurant

O Calme, cozy spot perfect for your sunday brunch in Carouge

🏊 Les bains de Lavey for the perfect relaxing spa day with an incredible view (thermal baths) https://www.bains-lavey.ch/en/

Chicago

🍹Bar London House Rooftop bar for incredible views of the city 

🍳Restaurant Summer House in Lincoln Park: https://www.summerhousesm.com/chicago/

📚 French Alliance for the homesick frenchies missing the culture https://www.af-chicago.org/

And her expat song 🎵 is Heart of Gold by wonderful Neil Young whom she saw play at Montreux Jazz Festival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3IA6pIVank

Intro & Outro music credits

Musique proposée par La Musique Libre

Not The King - Ice Tea : https://youtu.be/xYI0Rrnk1Jo

Not The King : https://soundcloud.com/coreygagne

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Young malasian who grew up in Singapore. When in need of some independence and an adventure, she decided to go live abroad 🌎 in Europe and in Africa for a few months. What started with a few months in Maun, Botswana turned out to be 5 years! 

She takes through her radical change of life from Singapore’s skyscrapers, and Haussmannian Paris to Maun; small town where 🐂 cattle and chickens run freely in the streets of the city. Describes her day to day as a 🦁 safari camp marketing manager, and takes us on a wonderful tour of the unique Okavango Delta, sharing a couple bush stories along the way, the magic of a 🦒 safari experience, as well as her favorite restaurant and bar in Maun:

🍹Bar: the Old Bridge Backpackers, great for cocktails https://maun-backpackers.com/

🍗Restaurant: Marc’s eatery, mostly open for lunch but experiments new recipes on friday nights and makes the best duck terrine!

As always, I asked for a 🎤song, and Ying shares Am I Wrong by Nico and Vinz, as the video clip was filmed in Maun, to promote Africa and give a better image of this continent. To discover Maun and see nice views of the Old bridge watch this video.

And her top recommendation when on a Safari in Okavango Delta, find a nice spot to watch the 🌄 sunset, and enjoy this present moment.

Credits:

Musique proposée par La Musique Libre Not The King - Ice Tea : https://youtu.be/xYI0Rrnk1Jo Not The King : https://soundcloud.com/coreygagne

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

An Island girl who grew up in paradise between 🌴 Tahiti and Malaysia. In this episode she shares with us her expat experience in Singapore 🇸🇬, how it changed her way of approaching work, and also the move back to Paris.

We start with her decision to leave Paris to move back to Asia. From the rocky beginnings, where finding a job didn’t turn out being as easy as expected to finally settling in, meeting locals and living the stress free life in the Island state. From tasting the fine asian cuisine 🥡, and going on your typical weekend in Bali 🐚, to discovering a work environment and culture giving you time and space to do the things you enjoy, Mado tells us everything there is to know about living in Singapore, the “safe bubble” and shares her favorite places to visit:

• 🍱 Din Tai Fung: a Restaurant chain to sample local cuisine https://dintaifung.com.sg
• 🍹 Level 33: a Rooftop Bar for the best views over Singapore https://www.level33.com.sg

Her favorite neighborhoods 

• Haji Lane + Arab Street : lovely stroll through an area of Singapore with beautiful shophouses (no high-rise buildings!) and a very hipster vibe https://thehoneycombers.com/singapore/guide-to-haji-lane-singapore/
• Lau Pa Sat: a former wet market converted into a sprawling food court.

And the song 🎤she heard during Ramadan, taking her back to her childhood in Malaysia: Selamat Hari Raya  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QY2qEfMpTs

She takes us on her introspective journey 🧘: going through a set back, finding clarity in her career and life direction. And putting it all in action  a few years after her return to Paris, with the creation  of Lumina Travel, a well-being retreats company with a former colleague she met in Singapore.

Credits

Musique proposée par La Musique Libre Not The King - Ice Tea : https://youtu.be/xYI0Rrnk1Jo Not The King : https://soundcloud.com/coreygagne

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A Dutch - Australian born in Zimbabwe who has lived in 8 countries 🌎 up to date, and who’s world tour took a different turn when the Covid- 19 pandemic broke out. 

She tells us how it was moving every two years as a child, the cries when it came to leaving friends but also the richness ♥️of discovering new cultures, foods and most importantly how you become adaptable to change and embrace it when it comes your way.

We then embark on her Asian tour, as she and her partner decided to leave the comfort of their home in Europe to go travelling for a year.  What steps did they take to make it happen, how she continues to run her business while travelling; and how the pandemic led them to change their plans and  settle down for a few months in Cambodia. She shares her favorite spots in Kampot and the music genre which will stick with her Asian trip:

• 🍃Vegan restaurant: Little things which makes the best mango cashew  🍰cheesecake  http://simplethings.me 
• Bar with the best sunsets over the river: Fish Market The Fishmarket Kampot
• Koh Rong Sanloem her favorite island : https://www.google.com/maps/place/Koh+Rong+Sanloem/@10.5837092,103.2739727,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x3107eede3706b249:0xf4bc7be5df0f6e74!8m2!3d10.5886219!4d103.2952096
• Cambodian music:  number one hit in top songs of Cambodia 2020 list: Jay Chan 

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As top tips for New York, more specifically Williamsburg, she recommends:

Lucky Dog, a divebar with dogs running around, and for a nice asian fusion japaneese resaurant Bozu. 🍣

If you too are looking to find balance through yoga in NYC, check out Yoga Vida with studios all around the city https://yogavida.com/ and if yoga is your thing and you want to meet Carly, try one of her online classes with CocoBella 🧘 https://www.cocobellayoga.com/

Related articles:

10 ways to make friends abroad

Why I should try expat life

Meet the expats the Blog

Music credits:

Her NYC Friday song is Sunset Lover by Petit Biscuit

podcast intro & outro:

Musique proposée par La Musique Libre

Not The King - Ice Tea : https://youtu.be/xYI0Rrnk1Jo

Not The King : https://soundcloud.com/coreygagne

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

we discuss recognizing different accents and mention this video by Foil Arms and Hog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3gyQLgr8m8

She also shares her favorite restaurants: Rosa Madre italian seafood and gogarty's for a more trad and local experience with live music.

Related articles:

• Moving abroad when you don't speak the language

• How to learn a new language

Take online language classes with Lingoda

Credits:

Musique proposée par La Musique Libre

Not The King - Ice Tea : https://youtu.be/xYI0Rrnk1Jo

Not The King : https://soundcloud.com/coreygagne

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.