Meet the Expats

Meet Tracey,

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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Meet Nancy,

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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Meet Megan,

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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Meet Dr. Elefant Yanni, a Swiss psychologist now based in Singapore, who has built a career helping expats and international couples navigate the highs and lows of life abroad. From her first move to Canada, then Korea, and now Singapore, Dr. Yanni shares how each relocation shaped her understanding of relationships, resilience, and the invisible bonds between expats.

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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Meet Rehka,

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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Meet Tim,

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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Meet Tsahia,

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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Meet Natasha,

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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Meet Angela,

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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Meet Tu-Oahn,

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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