What happens when you’re not technically an expat anymore? In this episode, your hosts Big and White discuss the experience of going “home,” whether for a short or a long period of time. It’s a challenge to be a person who lives in many countries, as your identity is always changing. Big and White’s big advice to handle the transition well? Try not to be a jerk!

Don’t forget to check out the Khas Kura podcast, hosted by two Nepalis who have moved to America. (our opposite twins!)

Happy Podiversary! In this episode, your hosts Big and White sit down for an informal international chat to celebrate their one year anniversary of podcasting! They discuss the international travel life, get an update on all the big news in Nepal (including construction, weather, and vegetable status updates). Join them for a relaxed discussion of this ever-shrinking world we live in.

What's it like to travel to somewhere less, well, foreign? In this episode, your hosts Big and White talk about being a tourist in counties very similar to your own, and how different it feels from traveling to a country that is much less like your home country. White recently visited England, and Big recently visited Canada, so if you want to hear about those places probably listen to this episode?

Also, they talk about how writing systems affect dialect and language boundaries. Because they love linguistics.

In this episode, your hosts Big and White talk about what it's like moving overseas unattached. There are many freedoms and opportunities that come with being single, but there are many difficulties as well. They also try to give some advice about being healthy as a single person, drawn directly from their experiences, both successes and failures.

Monsoon is here! In this episode, your hosts Big and White discuss the weather in Kathmandu, Nepal. Seasons here don’t follow the cycle we think of in the West, and you might be surprised!

Don’t forget to use our coupon code bigandwhite at Nepal Umbrella Emporium!

In this especially awkward episode, your hosts Big and White discuss the effects of reverse culture shock - it’s like normal culture shock, only in reverse? Big is in the USA right now and she is experiencing some repatriation challenges. However, she also talks about how after so many culture adjustments, she’s getting more and more adept at just going with the flow, man.

Link to James Shrestha video - amazing example of code switching! https://youtu.be/lYdNh7GbosE?t=641

How often do you use Google and Amazon? In this episode, your hosts Big and White talk about the difference between technology use in Nepal and the US. Use of apps for finances and online shopping aren’t as prevalent, but technology use is increasing quickly and Nepal has its own cultural style of dealing with increasing technology use.

Big and White also review a censored scene from Wonderwoman… are you as disturbed as they are?

How would you define a language? In this episode, your hosts Big and White talk about language boundaries. You might think of languages as similar to countries - having a nice border or boundary between them. And once you cross that boundary, you're in a different language. With languages that are not closely related to each other, that's true. But in fact, languages are on a continuum. So when going from one language to another related language, you have to ask, where does one language end and the next begin? Or where does one dialect end and the other begin? How different do they need to be to qualify as different languages?

Here are the language clips from the episode (no cheating!) https://youtu.be/PwuLTCiSpts https://youtu.be/Tw6xV0Dl-mI https://youtu.be/AIZgw09CG9E?t=38 https://youtu.be/FQ4MWia6xmA https://youtu.be/km98JBqS3ug

Will moving overseas change your life? In this episode, your hosts Big and White talk about all the things that don’t change when you move, like your anger issues and your inability to make new friends. It’s not all sad things though - moving overseas can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life! And! It’s book club time! Here is the list of books about Nepal that Big and White recommend, as promised. Book recommendations: Massacre in the Palace Kathmandu Thamel The Living Goddess Fatalism and Development Finding God in Kathmandu The Gurkha’s Daughter While the Gods Were Sleeping These fine lines And the article about host country blaming: http://www.thecultureblend.com/stop-blaming-your-host-country-for-all-of-your-issues/

What is life like as a foreigner in your own country? This week your hosts Big and White chat with Moon about her recent time in America. Was it horrible, wonderful, or a weird mix of both? Listen to find out!