Suitcase Sagas

This week, we begin a new series about Culture Shock and what exactly it is.

Culture shock is one of those things you hear and talk a lot about as an expat.

And it’s not always something you only experience when you first arrive somewhere new.

It can keep sneaking up years after you have lived in a place.

We begin the series by discussing what culture shock is and share some of our personal experiences while living abroad.

Thanks for listening and be sure to join in on the conversation on our Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/suitcase_sagas/

One of the most common reasons many people choose to move abroad is the opportunity for travel. Some places definitely make traveling easier, more accessible, and enticing, while others require a lot more planning, time, and patience.

For some, there can be the occasional headache and heartache in relation to obtaining a visa to visit certain countries with passports that aren’t as flexible as others.

In this week’s episode, we talk about the perks of traveling while living abroad, and how it can open up your eyes to things you never imagined.

Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to connect with us on Instagram!

SUITCASE SAGAS INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/suitcase_sagas/

Making friendships can be difficult no matter our age and geographic location, but as an expat, it can be even trickier.

So many of us are transient, moving around every couple of years or so, and there can be a real fear of connection when you know the ‘loss’ is inevitable.

But as Efua and Jessica prove, expat friendships do not have to be temporary! We haven’t lived in the same country since 2017, and in our experience, we have made many friendships beyond our own that are proving to be forever relationships as we intentionally build on them and keep in touch regularly thanks to technology.

In this episode, the Saga ladies discuss the sometimes tricky situation of making meaningful friendships while living abroad. And the difficult truths of breaking up while living abroad.

Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to connect with us on Instagram!

SUITCASE SAGAS INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/suitcase_sagas/

When you move abroad, you go in knowing that there will be a lot of new things on the horizon- like language, culture, food, and scenery. But some of the experiences come as an unexpected surprise- much like a fly in your drink or finding cash in the dryer.

Some good, some not so good.

In this episode, we are discussing some of the expected and unexpected surprises that are likely to come in life abroad and the adjustments that expats are forced to make.

Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to connect with us on Instagram!

SUITCASE SAGAS INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/suitcase_sagas/

So many people travel abroad and think to themselves, I could totally live here!

But the truth of traveling to a foreign place isn’t always the same as touring that same country.

In todays’ episode, we discuss the novelty and fun that travel provides, and how often living abroad can limit a person’s freedom to choose where they live and work, which can definitely change their perspective on living abroad.

We also discuss the layers of culture shock that is experienced when you live abroad and how it can be quite different than the shock of when you are traveling somewhere for a limited time. And how the differences in work culture and ethics can add some unexpected hurdles and hilarity to the expat experience.

Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to connect with us on Instagram!

SUITCASE SAGAS INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/suitcase_sagas/

Living abroad as an expat can be adventurous and exciting, but it can also bring about some troubling realities and situations.

We continue last week’s conversation and discuss how sometimes when making the decision to leave home and move abroad, it’s difficult to be honest about the struggles involved in adjusting to a new country where there is no support system in place (yet), but that the hardships are totally normal and it’s important to talk it out.

The purpose behind creating Suitcase Sagas was to create a space to safely talk about all the fun, bad, ugly things of life abroad. We want to create a global community of expats where we can network and build relationships.

Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to connect with us on Instagram!

SUITCASE SAGAS INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/suitcase_sagas/

It’s important to know the WHY behind our voices, and in this week’s episode, we share with you what brought us to start recording a podcast and what Suitcase Sagas means to us.

Coming to you from Dallas, Texas, USA and Vaduz, Liechtenstein, Efua and Jessica discuss Jessica’s recent move to Liechtenstein, and the struggles of packing, shipping, storing, and lugging too many things from one country to the next.

And the soon-to-be-famous pup Apricot makes his podcast debut as Efua discusses her experiences growing up as a Third Culture Kid (TCK) in the Middle East, her transition back to living in Dallas, and how we met nine years ago under abnormal circumstances.

Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to connect with us on Instagram!

SUITCASE SAGAS INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/suitcase_sagas/

We’re Efua and Jessica, forever expats who met in 2012. Our experiences living abroad in multiple countries have offered lots of opportunities for adventure and growth. We have always been transparent with one another about the joys and frustrations of living abroad and realize that there is a need for a community where people abroad can connect globally. Our podcast aims to inspire expats to build authentic communities around the world.