In this heartwarming and insightful episode of Abroadly Speaking, Mistelle sits down with a very special guest—her 7-year-old daughter (affectionately called "Monkey"). Together, they dive into what it’s really like to grow up as an expat kid in Switzerland.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Monkey’s favorite parts about living in Switzerland, from skiing in the Alps to hiking through breathtaking landscapes.
• A day in the life of a Swiss schoolkid: bilingual education, woodworking classes, and spending Fridays in the forest.
• How their family stays connected with grandparents and relatives back in the United States—complete with FaceTime calls and playful pranks.
• Monkey’s favorite global adventures, including camel rides in Morocco, safaris in Denmark, and countless gondola rides in Venice.
• The unique perspective of a child exploring new cultures, embracing adventure, and creating unforgettable memories abroad.

Whether you’re a parent considering the expat life, a fellow traveler, or just curious about what growing up abroad is like, this episode offers a delightful peek into the joys, challenges, and unforgettable experiences of expat family life.

Tune in for an adorable, funny, and inspiring conversation you don’t want to miss!

Connect with Mistelle:

Instagram: @iammistelle

Website: MistelleGodlewski.com

Liked this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend!

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In this episode of Abroadly Speaking, we dive into one of the unexpected challenges of expat parenting: managing life when your safety net—family, close friends, or a trusted tribe—is thousands of miles away. What do you do when your child gets sick, and there's no grandma or best friend nearby to step in?

Mistelle shares her personal experiences of parenting abroad, from navigating a chickenpox outbreak with her toddler to the added complexities of managing work and childcare during COVID lockdowns. Learn how cultural differences, workplace policies, and a bit of creativity helped her juggle it all and find solutions in seemingly impossible situations.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• A story of managing a toddler with chickenpox while both parents worked full-time.
• The surprising benefits of family leave policies in Austria and Switzerland.
• How COVID-19 added new layers of complexity to parenting abroad.
• Creative strategies for balancing work and parenting without a local support system.
• Tips on making the most of cultural differences, like extended sick leave policies.

Who This Episode is For:

This episode is perfect for expat parents, dual-working households, or anyone considering the move abroad and wondering how to handle parenting challenges far from home.

Resources Mentioned:

• The GroClock for rest-time management (not sponsored but highly recommended!)
• Disney+ and how screen time can be an occasional lifesaver.

Let’s Connect!

Have your own story about parenting abroad? Share it with me on Instagram [@iammistelle]!

Navigating the holiday season as an expat comes with its own set of challenges, especially when you're living thousands of miles away from family. In this episode of Abroadly Speaking, I'm diving into how my family and I have celebrated Christmas over the years while living abroad, from renting cozy ski chalets in Switzerland to inviting everyone to us instead of flying across the U.S.

I share stories of juggling long-haul flights with a small child, the magic of European Christmas markets, and how we've found joy in creating new traditions while staying connected to loved ones. If the thought of missing family during the holidays is holding you back from moving abroad, this episode is full of tips on making the season special—no matter where in the world you are.

I would love to connect on Instagram @iammistelle

Welcome to another episode of Abroadly Speaking, where we unravel the exciting, challenging, and sometimes tedious details of moving and living abroad. In today’s episode, we dive deep into the not-so-glamorous but absolutely crucial topic of visas—what they are, why they’re essential, and how to tackle the paperwork without losing your sanity.

If you’re daydreaming about starting a life overseas, this episode is packed with practical tips to make sure your visa process goes smoothly (or at least as painlessly as possible).

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why visas are non-negotiable: No, you can’t skip this step if you want to stay legal in your new home.
• Key documents you can prep NOW: Save time (and headaches) by getting your passport, birth certificate, marriage license, and more in order.
• The deal with apostille stamps: Spoiler: a notary stamp won’t cut it in many cases.
• How to navigate the dreaded police certificate: Yes, you may need to ask the FBI to vouch for you—don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds.
• Visa renewals are a thing: Why your journey doesn’t end after you get that first shiny visa.

Whether you're gearing up for your first move abroad or already living the expat life, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the intricate world of visas.

🎧 Don’t miss out—hit play and let’s demystify the visa process together!

Connect with me

Got questions or stories about your own visa adventures? Drop a comment or connect with me on social media [@iammistelle]—I'd love to hear from you!

Make sure to subscribe to Abroadly Speaking for more insights and tips on living your best life abroad. 🌍

In this episode, I dive into one of the heaviest parts of expat life: the guilt that comes with being far from family.

For anyone who’s moved abroad or is considering it, the decision is often clouded by questions like, Will I miss out on time with my parents? Will my kids know their grandparents? What happens if there’s an emergency?

I share my personal experiences, including the emotional challenges of being an ocean away when family emergencies happen. I'll open up about how I cope with these feelings, ways my family has stayed connected despite the miles, and why choosing this path for my family’s best life doesn’t mean I don’t carry the weight of being far from loved ones.

If you'd like to chat, find out more, or just get a window into the life of an expat, I've got you. Head on over to Instagram and come along (@iammistelle)

In this special Thanksgiving episode, I'll reflect on the tradition that means the most to me and how we've made it work thousands of miles from home.

As an expat living in Switzerland, I share my journey of keeping the Thanksgiving spirit alive, even though the holiday doesn’t officially exist here. Discover the origins of my "Nomad Thanksgiving," an annual feast that brings together a melting pot of friends from all over the world, each bringing comfort foods from their own cultures. It's a tradition we call framily—friends who have become family.

Listen in as I recount stories of gratitude, community, and adapting traditions, from cooking two small turkeys to make up for a European-sized oven to finding creative substitutes for ingredients like canned pumpkin and cranberries. I also dive into the deeper challenges and joys of maintaining family traditions as an expat, including how I'm passing Thanksgiving down to my daughter in a way that’s meaningful—even if it looks a bit different.

So, whether you're an expat missing home or someone dreaming of building a life abroad, this episode is a heartwarming reminder that you don’t have to leave your traditions behind—you just might need to adapt them.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

• The origins of "Nomad Thanksgiving" and how it’s become a beloved tradition
• Creative ways to adapt holiday meals and ingredients abroad
• The beauty of sharing traditions with friends from around the world
• My personal take on building a life abroad while staying connected to family traditions

Connect with me: Follow along with the expat life and join the conversation on Instagram @iammistelle. And remember, life’s too short to stay in one place—keep that passport handy!

One of the biggest fears I hear about moving abroad is not being able to speak the language. It holds so many people back from taking the leap to move, but is it really that big of a problem?

In this episode, we'll talk about why NOT knowing the language before you move is NOT a problem.

You'll also hear three ways that I found that helped me go from not speaking any German (the language where I live) to fully fluent quickly.

No more excuses. No more fears. If you're feeling the itch to move abroad, don't let the fear of not knowing the language stop you from creating your life overseas.

Ever feel like you're just not ready to make the leap abroad? Today, I'll unpack one of the biggest myths around moving overseas: the idea of being “ready.”

With over a decade of experience and three international moves under my belt, I share why “readiness” is more a mental block than a real milestone, and offer practical steps to start your journey even if you’re feeling unprepared.

From planning your budget to connecting with expat communities in your future destination, my tips are all about making your dream a reality without waiting for the elusive “perfect time.”

Join me for a candid chat on getting comfortable with the unknown and taking control of your plans.

Key Topics:

• Why the idea of being “ready” is a myth (and what’s actually holding you back)
• Practical ways to start preparing for life abroad, from budgeting to visa timelines
• How to build your new community online before you even set foot in your new country
• Tips for backward planning to feel more confident and in control of the move

Looking for our "Ultimate Move Abroad Checklist?" You can find it here:

Take me to the Checklist

Follow me on the gram: @iammistelle

If this episode inspired you to think bigger and take action, subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a friend who's ready for their own adventure! And don’t forget to download the checklist and start planning your next steps abroad.

Let's discuss one step you can take today to move abroad, even if you're not quite ready to move abroad... yet.

Reminiscing about things that maybe we could have done differently when we moved, I'm sharing with you some ideas of different things to consider when you're considering the move.

We'll explore different options for shipping your goods (air and sea shipments) as well as consider what the various things to consider when you're moving your things.

So whether you're ready to start packing or you're just in the start of your journey abroad, I invite you to listen in and find the first step you can take today to start your journey.

Follow me over on Instagram for all things unfiltered life abroad. @iammistelle