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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Phil describes his role as the Lead Trainer for a non-profit learning center focused on experiential education, and how he came to the US through a summer camp program. He expresses how the job profoundly reshaped his career path in education!
We spend some time laughing about the common mix-up between New York State and New York City, and his experience traveling to the Grand Canyon with his friends. We also banter about airlines offering massively discounted flights in the era of COVID-19.
Afterwards, he tells me about his negative experience entering Canada and trying to return to the US; he describes how he and his wife were locked in a holding area because of missing paperwork and wound up losing hotel accommodation!
Changing gears, we talk about the growth he experienced being away from his country and family, and how living as an expat is "double the adulting" yet living like a child again. He also explains how he maintains his relationships with family members back in the UK.
Lastly, he opens up about what he aspires to do after the curve flattens and we speculate about how much people will want to pursue the expat life and recreational travel!
| Website: https://www.theexpatexperience.org/ | Facebook: The Expat Experience |
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Juriy and I chat about his work as a Solution Architect for a large IT company, developing solutions for insurance companies and banks. He shares how a business trip transformed into extended time in Switzerland, and why he took a break in Shenzhen, China for three years prior to returning to Switzerland!
He describes the broad array of leisure options in Zurich (especially outdoor sports), and how the city has a much slower, quieter pace of life. We also discuss how well-organized, streamlined, and hyper-efficient Swiss bureaucracy is!
When it comes to laws, Juriy tells me about the strict enforcement of traffic laws in the country, and compares the strictness of laws more generally in Switzerland with China from the expat perspective. He also reiterates that a suitable country for one person could be ill-fitting for another, and how this can change for the same person in one country!
He goes into detail about the benefits contained in his contract, including housing, and how the passport you hold profoundly impacts your ability to relocate and find work abroad. In the era of COVID-19, Juriy describes the ease of transitioning to fully remote work with his company on a technical level, but the challenges on a social level.
We finish with him sharing his favourite aspect of living in Switzerland, and advice he has for aspiring expats who have their sights set on the country!
| Website: https://www.theexpatexperience.org/ | Facebook: The Expat Experience |
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Sophie talks with me about her job as a Content Manager for a travel company, and how she was moved to working from home at reduced hours during the peak of the pandemic. She explains how revenue is steadily rising within the EU with increased travel. We also discuss the ease of transitioning into life in Germany from the Netherlands, with no need for a visa as an EU citizen!
She shares about how prior to Germany, she lived and worked as a digital nomad; her encounters with people in the lifestyle helped her realize she could do the same thing! As someone who speaks multiple languages and has great writing and translating skills, she freelanced and pursued her travels for two years. We even explore careers for digital nomads outside of the IT/tech industry, and how the pandemic has helped companies worldwide realize the endless list of benefits to remote work!
Later on, we dispel common myths around how "advanced" and "modern" Germany is, and how traditional it still can be - even in Berlin! We also confess how scary doing your taxes in German is, even as a fluent speaker. Finally, we describe the benefits of being an expatriate, and from solo travel.
| Website: https://www.theexpatexperience.org/ | Facebook: The Expat Experience |
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We start off by discussing the job market for foreign teachers in Taiwan, how he made the journey from S. Korea to Taiwan, and how easily he transitioned into his new life there. He tells me about how he effortlessly balances his time between working as a teacher and authoring fantasy and extreme horror fiction!
He describes the ease of entering Taiwan vs. South Korea. In Taiwan, you are required to have the Alien Registration Card (ARC), even though it isn't technically considered a visa. We also dive into the challenges of socializing and meeting new people leading up to the pandemic, and compare the learning process for Korean vs. Mandarin.
Todd characterizes Taipei as a "city of mopeds", and other similar cities in Asia. He also explains his average number of hours of teaching a week, and how the contracts can sometimes differ drastically from what's actually offered to someone. Lastly, we wrap up with sharing future travel aspirations within Asia!
| Website: https://www.theexpatexperience.org/ | Facebook: The Expat Experience |
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Naomi and I dive deep into the remote work lifestyle, and how workaholic tendencies can creep in! We also explore the differences in work culture between North American and Europe, and how the pandemic has shifted our collective thinking on 'conventional' work.
She shares how she met her husband in Europe and experienced difficulty proving her marriage to the visa office! Lastly, we talk about why they'll be heading to the US eventually, the flexibility afforded by entrepreneurial and remote work lifestyles, and the value of networking.
| Website: https://www.theexpatexperience.org/ | Facebook: The Expat Experience |
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We're all enduring difficult times right now, but I don't want this podcast to fade away! I wanted to update my listeners on what's next, and hopefully lift your spirits a bit.
If you're a current or recent expat who would like to share your experiences on the podcast, feel free to reach out!
| Website: https://www.theexpatexperience.org/ |
| Email: [email protected] |
| Facebook Page: 'The Expat Experience' |
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(!!! Bear in mind, this episode was recorded prior to the height of the COVID-19 outbreak !!!)
Forsythia and I have a very raw, in-depth conversation about life in Shenzhen, China. She explains why she chose China over South Korea, how she truly got out of her comfort zone, and how the alluring photos of foreign countries on Instagram drew her into expat life!
She compares and contrasts teaching children in public schools vs. international schools in Shenzhen, and how the latter represents a much more fulfilling experience. She also describes dealing with country's overbearing censorship, praising the virtues of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
We also confront some of the less savory aspects of living there, such as explicit racism, language barriers, significant cultural differences, bug infestations, pollution and smoking in restaurants. We wrap up with Forsythia offering very insightful advice if you ever consider relocating to China in the future!
(Note that due to our inability to record a non-timed session, we had to rush at the end! Thanks Chinese censorship laws...)
| Website: https://www.theexpatexperience.org/ | Facebook: The Expat Experience |
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Zack Shay is a savvy Online Marketing Consultant working remotely in Ireland. She talks at length with me about her unconventional choice to relocate to a country in which many of the locals are trying to get out!
We dive into what it's like living in a small Irish town vs. in Dublin, her journey into working in online marketing, and foregoing the "go, go, go!" culture of the US in exchange for a calmer one. She also shares how she's acquired local and governmental information through sheer happenstance, along with colloquial differences and the European "first floor"!
We wrap up with exploring personality as a major factor in deciding to move abroad, and how the lifestyle entails "double the adulting" when compared to life at home.
You can find Zack on her website zackshay.com, on her Facebook page @zackshaybiz, and on Instagram @zack_shay!
| Website: https://www.theexpatexperience.org/ | Facebook: The Expat Experience |
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Dave tells me about his career as a Laughter Coach in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)! He shares how he started creating 'laughter demonstration' videos in the U.S., and how he uses "laughing on purpose" to connect with people across the world. Further, he gives me insight into the accommodation perks he's received while touring in different places!
He describes how he originally planned to write his next book in the city, and was drawn to it by an old friend. We talk with considerable detail about business vs. tourist visas, and the value of enlisting an affordable lawyer/consultant for the application process.
What's especially fascinating is how Dave has used "laughing on purpose" to survive and even embrace the hectic and sometimes tense nature of the city, particularly the heavy congestion of traffic. Moreover, he shares how much he treasures the spontaneous and adventurous interactions he's had with the locals!
You can find Dave on his website davebermancoaching.com, and even join his Facebook group titled 'Daily Laughers'.
| Website: https://www.theexpatexperience.org/ | Facebook: The Expat Experience |
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We explore Leanne's multifaceted reasons for relocating to Hamburg eight years ago! We dive deep into comical and charming Germany vocabulary, along with our future travel aspirations.
Further, we tackle German bureaucracy, job applications and taxes; Leanne also shares her experience in becoming a German citizen, namely completing the test and attending the ceremony!
Continuing on the humorous side, she describes a hilarious, yet terrible mistake she made in her spoken German! She offers detailed differences between Brits & Germans, and solid advice on what you should do if you want to pursue expat life.
Finally, we discuss German labour laws and working full-time vs. as a freelancer in the country.
| Website: https://www.theexpatexperience.org/ | Facebook: The Expat Experience |
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