This podcast is a passion project through which expats, digital nomads, freelancers, entrepreneurs and everything in-between can share their stories and insights about living and working overseas.
Episodes
Sunday Jan 10, 2021
Sunday Jan 10, 2021
The host of 'Expat Empire' - David McNeill - makes an appearance here on 'The Expat Experience'! David shares his experiences studying in Singapore, in addition to working in China, Japan, Germany, and finally Portugal. We talk at length about his work life in Tokyo and Berlin respectively, how his line of work has gradually changed over the years, and the cultural differences within continents. He dives deep into adjusting to life in Porto, learning Portuguese, and the finer details of running his expat consulting business before and during the pandemic!
If you'd like to register for 'The Expat Masterclass', you can do so here: https://www.udemy.com/course/the-expat-masterclass/?referralCode=FB36C06E07F629CBC554
Sunday Jan 03, 2021
Sunday Jan 03, 2021
Currently based in Chicago, Kate shares her experiences living and working in India and Singapore! She started her journey to India through learning Hindi, and she expresses how mastering the language helped her better integrate into her local community. Her professional life in both India and Singapore were spent in the same fashion company, and we have the chance to explore expat realities in - and experiences between - both countries. We also explore the visa categories of both countries, which country she would pursue as an expat later in life, and the future of expatism post-COVID. Finally, Kate describes her financial planning business called 'Beyond Money' (beyondmoney.co) for expat and non-expat clients alike!
If you'd like to register for 'The Expat Masterclass', you can do so here: https://www.udemy.com/course/the-expat-masterclass/?referralCode=FB36C06E07F629CBC554
Sunday Dec 27, 2020
Sunday Dec 27, 2020
In this episode, I talk with Anastasia who owns and operates her own digital marketing agency in Australia. Her life has been full of international experiences: she shares her experiences living in multiple countries in her formative years, in addition to her illustrious history with learning foreign languages. We explore her earlier career as a Management Consultant in the U.K. too, and how she used her knowledge of foreign languages and cultures to her advantage! She explains the visa she came to Australia on, and how holding three passports affects her travel. Lastly, Anastasia tells me about Australia's entrepreneurial culture, how she perceives the country as an intriguing mix of German and British cultures, and how well the country has fared during the pandemic!
If you'd like to register for 'The Expat Masterclass', you can do so here: https://www.udemy.com/course/the-expat-masterclass/?referralCode=FB36C06E07F629CBC554
Sunday Dec 20, 2020
Sunday Dec 20, 2020
Borna is an old friend of mine who is residing in London. He tells me about the pricey public transportation system, his favorite parts of the city, and how it has been mythologized in many ways. He also shares his motivations for pursuing his PhD in the U.K. (versus Sweden), how he was able to study more affordably and flexibly when compared to other students, his potential plans after graduation, and why he truly loves walking around and exploring London!
If you'd like to register for 'The Expat Masterclass', you can do so here: https://www.udemy.com/course/the-expat-masterclass/?referralCode=FB36C06E07F629CBC554
Sunday Dec 13, 2020
Sunday Dec 13, 2020
Kicking off the fourth season, I have the chance to talk with the Founder of Cospace Elie Assuied. In our conversation, we explore co-living and co-working spaces, building communities and relationships, working as a digital nomad (including some very unexpected jobs!), and internet connectivity across the world.
Elie shares his multifaceted background as an expat, how he discovered and fell in love with Koh Phangan, starting a school for aspiring digital nomads, why he believes solo travel is hugely beneficial, and the importance of establishing roots!
To learn more about Cospace, visit www.cospacecampus.com
If you'd like to register for 'The Expat Masterclass', you can do so here: https://www.udemy.com/course/the-expat-masterclass/?referralCode=FB36C06E07F629CBC554
Sunday Sep 27, 2020
Sunday Sep 27, 2020
Lana is a Multilingual Trainer who teaches multiple languages online, including Spanish and English! She describes how she pursued her Master's degree in Spain and met her other half there; she even gained experience teaching English to children in Xiamen, China for a year.
We explore the difficulties of applying for a Work Visa in Spain as a Russian citizen, including the laundry list of documents she needed! Lana tells me about the popularity of Alicante, especially among European expats, and what drew her to the city - including "The Spanish Mentality" and its appeal.
Shifting gears, we discuss the impact that the pandemic has had on her work as a Multilingual Trainer, and how it's been felt across Europe more broadly. We also dive into the value of social relationships during these difficult times, and the differences between introverted and extroverted expats.
On the social side of things, we dissect the notorious "carousel" or "revolving door" of faces you encounter as an expat, and how to prioritize quality over quantity. We wrap up with talking about her hilarious online communication over WhatsApp with her mother, and managing familial relationships while abroad.
| Website: https://www.theexpatexperience.org/ | Facebook: The Expat Experience |
Sunday Sep 20, 2020
Sunday Sep 20, 2020
Ali tells me about how she discovered a structured way to pursue life abroad through the Peace Corps for two years, from September 2016 to Dec 2018. She worked at a center for high school girls and taught English, tutored and even did yoga with them!
Her life journey has been a fascinating one, transitioning from farm life, to corporate life, and finally to life abroad! We explore the difference in perspectives of younger vs older expats, what it's like to live as a woman in Morocco, dealing with stares and even coping with harassment.
We discuss the cultural differences and gender politics of the country - in particular, adapting to speaking with men in public in culturally sensitive ways. Further, Ali shares her experience learning 'survivalist' Arabic, specifically the Moroccan dialect, and living with host families. She also explains how doing meditation helped her persevere through difficulties and reinforce positive thoughts.
Ali dives deep into Moroccan hospitality, and how she was consistently invited into others' homes for lunch and tea! We gush over the wide variety of teas you can purchase at local marketplaces, and how certain teas are more commonly consumed during certain seasons.
Lastly, Ali describes what was most meaningful about her experience in the country and what she's learned about the Islamic world.
| Website: https://www.theexpatexperience.org/ | Facebook: The Expat Experience |
Sunday Sep 13, 2020
Sunday Sep 13, 2020
Federica talks with me about how she studied psychology in Italy first, and was an exchange student in Norway. She became a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, then the University of Chicago to pursue her PhD, and finally completed training to become a psychotherapist in Boston.
We spend some time comparing her experiences between Chicago and Boston, and university life between Italy and the United States. She also shares other parts of the US that she traveled to, and which city was her favourite!
Having worked with the veterans' hospital, Federica opens up about the challenging experiences she had in that environment; later, she transitioned to a day hospital that hosted group sessions on life skills and coping mechanisms. She discusses the exceptional support system she received in both her academic and professional pursuits.
Federica returned home to Italy in order for her husband to pursue an exceptional work opportunity, and has been back for eight years. She reveals to me whether or not she would pursue expat life again, even in the era of COVID-19!
Lastly, we explore how priorities can shift and Federica offers her words of wisdom for aspiring expats.
| Website: https://www.theexpatexperience.org/ | Facebook: The Expat Experience |
Sunday Sep 06, 2020
Sunday Sep 06, 2020
Carrie is an Intercultural Coach who resided in Mexico City with her husband from January 2020 until very recently, but has now returned to Europe.
She talks with me about transitioning from academia to cultural competence training and consulting: all with a focus on Latin America, and explains how her work has evolved over the last few years to include pre vs. post-departure considerations for moving abroad.
She shares what drew her to Mexico and Latin America in particular, and how her PhD involved field work in the country! Interestingly, she describes the impact of this work on her personal development.
We dive into how she adjusted to living in Mexico during the pandemic, and what she's learned from the experience; we also speculate as to whether more or fewer people will pursue a life abroad in the near future.
Confronting uncertainty is another area we explore both within and outside of framework of COVID-19, and how expatism requires adaptation in every facet of your life! We also discuss how to ensure your mental health remains strong during these times.
Lastly, Carrie reveals her professional and volunteer plans upon returning to the UK, including a fundraiser she will be hosting called "Coaching for Change" which can be found here:
http://www.almaintercultural.com/blog/coaching-for-change-let-s-all-help-each-other-this-autumn
You can learn more about Carrie's business more generally at http://www.almaintercultural.com/
| Website: https://www.theexpatexperience.org/ | Facebook: The Expat Experience |
Sunday Aug 30, 2020
Sunday Aug 30, 2020
Hailing from Birmingham, Thomas tells me about studying physics at Oxford University and meeting many Germans there. Crazily, he graduated into the 2008 global recession and started doing student jobs in Germany, including one for an online dating platform!
He has spent 8 years in the country thus far, and describes Hamburg's cosmopolitan vibe: a happy medium between being having all of the amenities of a major city without feeling completely anonymous.
After doing a series of student jobs, he entered the game design industry with InnoGames in 2013. He talks about how the company paid for his relocation and language classes, and offers regular after-work activities - many of which have migrated to the online environment due to the pandemic!
We spend some time dispelling common myths around British "sophistication", and describing our experiences in The Reeperbahn: Hamburg's 'Red Light District'. Thomas also shares the aspect of Hamburg life that has won him over completely!
He details the study methods he used for learning German vocabulary, idioms, etc., and how learning the finer nuances of a language fosters a change in mindset! Further, he describes the concept of 'Kurzarbeit' (Short-Term Working) in Germany before and after the pandemic.
Finally, Thomas expresses how proud he was to do his taxes in German without any assistance and how incredible it is to stand on your own two feet as an expat!
| Website: https://www.theexpatexperience.org/ | Facebook: The Expat Experience |