The Expat Pod

Summary:

Katie Andrews, a stress and time management coach, shares her experience of traveling the world since July 2020. She sold everything she owned in the UK and embarked on a journey to explore different countries. She highlights her travels in America, South America, and Asia, including countries like New Orleans, Mexico, Colombia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. Katie explains that her decision to travel was motivated by a desire for a new chapter in her life and a need for a change from toxic work environments. She also discusses her use of house sitting as a way to minimize costs while traveling. In this conversation, James Doran discusses his experiences living abroad and offers advice for others who want to do the same. He talks about the challenges of dealing with flies and the importance of air conditioning in certain locations. He also shares his insights on building connections and meeting people while traveling, including using platforms like Facebook and Meetup. James emphasizes the need for self-awareness, enjoying the journey, and not being too hard on oneself. He also provides advice for those interested in house sitting and offers resources for personal development and coaching.

Takeaways:

Traveling can provide an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery.

Leaving toxic work environments and embracing new experiences can lead to increased happiness and fulfillment.

House sitting can be a cost-effective way to travel and experience different cultures.

Different countries and regions have varying costs of living, and it's important to plan and budget accordingly.

The kindness and hospitality of people in different countries can greatly enhance the travel experience. Living abroad comes with its challenges, such as dealing with flies and the need for air conditioning in certain locations.

Building connections and meeting people while traveling can be challenging, but it's important to make an effort to do so.

House sitting can be a great way to find accommodation while traveling.

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If you enjoyed this episode of The Expat Pod, please subscribe, rate, and leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners like you and continue to deliver valuable content on life as an expat.

Sound Bites:

"Our happiness is paramount. So we just wanted to give it a go."

"The first port of call that we went to was, I'm just trying to think back now because it's going back a while, I think we headed into Malaysia first and foremost, KL, Kuala Lumpur."

"I'm taught swarms. I'm taught like there's a reason people eat at dusk and dawn here and when we first got here people were like eat at dusk, eat at dawn and I was like yeah but I've got a bit of a routine I like to you know stick to that and then when we tried to stick to that and cook the army of flies was surreal."

"I would say that first 12 months, no, because we was hopping so much, we were cramming so much in, just didn't have time to build connections."

"I do try and meet people and I meet people through my work as well through my coaching. So that's a great way to reach it out with people from around the world as well."

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:07 Embracing a New Chapter: Traveling the World

08:45 From America to Asia: Exploring Different Countries

16:37 First Impressions: New Orleans and California

25:51 Experiencing the Flavors of Asia

29:54 The Kindness and Hospitality of Sri Lanka

32:10 Challenges of Living Abroad: Dealing with Flies and the Need for Air Conditioning

33:36 Building Connections and Meeting People While Traveling

39:49 Resources for Personal Development and Coaching

47:33 The Importance of Self-Awareness and Enjoying the Journey

54:55 House Sitting: A Great Accommodation Option for Travelers

Summary:

John shares his favorite place to live, favorite international food, favorite international tradition, favorite thing about living abroad, best homesickness remedy, hardest thing about living abroad, best phrase learned, best way to make new friends, and best ex-pat life hack.

Takeaways

Living abroad can provide a sense of constant adventure and new experiences.

Finding people with similar interests is a great way to make new friends while living abroad.

Having access to familiar foods and traditions can help alleviate homesickness.

The language barrier and adjusting to new structures can be challenging when living abroad.

Learning the local language can greatly enhance the expat experience.

Focusing on your strengths and finding your niche can lead to success in a foreign country.

Using a VPN can help expats access familiar websites and content from their home country.

Sound Bites:

"Every day felt like an adventure."

"Finding people with similar interests to you."

"Access to familiar foods helps me feel better."

Connect with Us:

Subscribe, Rate, and Review:

If you enjoyed this episode of The Expat Pod, please subscribe, rate, and leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners like you and continue to deliver valuable content on life as an expat.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Favorite Place to Live

01:01 Favorite International Food and Tradition

04:38 Favorite Thing About Living Abroad

06:06 Best Homesickness Remedy

07:33 Hardest Thing About Living Abroad

08:01 Learning the Local Language

09:18 Best Phrase Learned

11:11 Best Way to Make New Friends

12:36 Best Expat Life Hack

Summary

John discusses his journey to China and his experiences living there. He talks about how he decided to teach English in China and the motivations behind it. He shares his first impressions of Beijing and Shanghai, as well as the challenges he faced in finding accommodation. John also discusses his social life in China and the importance of learning Mandarin for better integration. John reflects on his experience living and working in China, highlighting the importance of learning the language and having proper insurance. He advises future expats to be open-minded and adaptable to different cultural practices. John also emphasizes the value of focusing on one's strengths and passions rather than trying to be good at everything. Despite the challenges he faced, John remains open to the possibility of returning to China or exploring other countries in the future.

Takeaways

Teaching English in China can be a great opportunity for travel and personal growth

Finding accommodation in Shanghai can be challenging, but it's important to be flexible and open to different options

Learning Mandarin can greatly enhance the experience of living in China and help in building connections with locals

Immersing oneself in the local culture and making an effort to socialize with both foreigners and locals can lead to a more fulfilling experience Learning the local language is crucial for a more immersive and fulfilling experience abroad.

Having proper insurance coverage is essential to avoid financial stress and uncertainty.

Being open-minded and adaptable to different cultural practices is key to navigating life in a foreign country.

Focusing on one's strengths and passions can lead to a more fulfilling career and personal life.

Despite the challenges, living abroad can provide valuable experiences and opportunities for personal growth.

Sound Bites

"Take this opportunity while you can and make the most of it."

"China's controlled chaos."

"Right place at the right time."

"If they could speak in Mandarin or in language, which is your first choice, and you can understand it, then you can understand someone's personality a lot more."

"I found that I prefer teaching adults a lot more than children."

"University life in China is very different compared to the UK or Europe."

Connect with Us:

Subscribe, Rate, and Review:

If you enjoyed this episode of The Expat Pod, please subscribe, rate, and leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners like you and continue to deliver valuable content on life as an expat.

Chapters

00:00 Journey to China: Motivations and Decision

12:26 First Impressions of Beijing and Shanghai

16:09 Challenges of Finding Accommodation in Shanghai

29:21 The Importance of Learning Mandarin

36:03 Building a Social Life in China

38:13 Language Learning and Cultural Misconceptions

39:40 Teaching Adults vs. Children

41:30 University Life in China

48:35 Health Issues and Insurance Challenges

01:06:02 Lessons Learned and Advice for Future Expats

Summary

In this quickfire questions episode, James asks Trent about his favorite place he's ever lived, favorite international food, favorite international tradition, and more. Trent shares his love for Mission Bay in New Zealand, Indian food, Las Fallas in Valencia, and the experience of living abroad. He also talks about his homesickness remedy, access to American food, the language barrier, making new friends, and the best things to do in Auckland. Trent's expat life hack is to put your wallet in your front pocket.

Takeaways

Living in Mission Bay, New Zealand was a great experience for Trent because of its proximity to the beach and the city.

Trent's favorite international food is Indian food, which he discovered and fell in love with while living in New Zealand.

Las Fallas in Valencia, Spain is Trent's favorite international tradition, where huge paper mache structures are built and burned in a big party.

The best thing about living abroad for Trent is meeting internationally open-minded people and having conversations with them.

Trent's homesickness remedy is to drink apple cider vinegar and water with ginger or lemon to reduce fever.

Access to American food was possible for Trent through an American store in Auckland, where he could find familiar comfort foods.

The language barrier was the hardest thing for Trent when living in Spain, but he learned to communicate with people without talking a lot.

Trent's best way of making new friends was by showing up to places alone and striking up conversations, or joining group activities like boxing training or volleyball.

Getting out of Auckland and going to the beach or countryside was the best thing to do in the city for Trent.

Trent's expat life hack is to put your wallet in your front pocket to avoid potential theft or loss.

Sound Bites

"Man, I was 600 meters from the beach"

"The flavor and it's just amazing with the rice and then the curry thing and then you got your naan bread with it man you throw a throw a lager in there man Unbelievable Rob."

"Once a year they build these huge like paper mache things that are you know three or four stories high man and right in the city I mean like you know meters away from like an apartment building man. They're crazy man they let the they light these things on fire and watch them burn up you know it's just yeah it's wild it's awesome man you know it's a big it's a big party deal."

Connect with Us:

Subscribe, Rate, and Review:

If you enjoyed this episode of The Expat Pod, please subscribe, rate, and leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners like you and continue to deliver valuable content on life as an expat.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

02:28 Best Thing About Living Abroad: Meeting Internationally Open-Minded People

04:18 Access to American Food in Auckland

06:45 Making New Friends: Showing Up Alone and Joining Group Activities

08:08 Expat Life Hack: Put Your Wallet in Your Front Pocket

09:04 Conclusion

Trent shares his journey of living in different countries, starting from the US to Spain and then to New Zealand. He initially moved to Spain to learn Spanish and teach English. He faced challenges in learning the language but eventually became intermediate-level proficient. In Spain, he embraced the laid-back culture, built friendships, and traveled extensively in Europe. After a year in Spain, Trent moved to New Zealand for better job opportunities in the IT sector. He settled in Auckland and eventually started his own business, a kettle corn manufacturing company. In this conversation, Trent shares his experiences living abroad in both Spain and New Zealand. He talks about starting a business in New Zealand and the challenges he faced with the healthcare system. Trent also discusses the cultural differences between the US and New Zealand, including work ethic and political views. He offers advice for those considering living abroad, emphasizing the importance of doing research and being prepared.

Takeaways:

Living in different countries provides unique experiences and opportunities for personal growth.

Learning a new language can be challenging but rewarding, and immersion is key to improving language skills.

Embracing the local culture and building relationships with locals can enhance the overall experience of living abroad.

Researching job opportunities and understanding the local market is crucial when moving to a new country.

Starting a business in a foreign country requires adaptability, perseverance, and understanding of the local market. Do your research and be prepared before moving abroad

Cultural differences can impact work ethic and political views

Experiencing different countries and cultures can broaden your perspective

Connect with locals and join forums to get a better understanding of a new place

Appreciate the beauty and opportunities that come with living abroad

Connect with Us:

Subscribe, Rate, and Review:

If you enjoyed this episode of The Expat Pod, please subscribe, rate, and leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners like you and continue to deliver valuable content on life as an expat.

Takeaways:

Living in different countries provides unique experiences and opportunities for personal growth.

Learning a new language can be challenging but rewarding, and immersion is key to improving language skills.

Embracing the local culture and building relationships with locals can enhance the overall experience of living abroad.

Researching job opportunities and understanding the local market is crucial when moving to a new country.

Starting a business in a foreign country requires adaptability, perseverance, and understanding of the local market. Do your research and be prepared before moving abroad

Cultural differences can impact work ethic and political views

Experiencing different countries and cultures can broaden your perspective

Connect with locals and join forums to get a better understanding of a new place

Appreciate the beauty and opportunities that come with living abroad

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:13 From the US to Spain: Language Learning and Teaching

12:03 Embracing the Culture and Traveling in Europe

25:05 Moving to New Zealand for Better Job Opportunities

34:39 Starting a Business in a Foreign Country

39:00 Starting a Business in New Zealand

42:40 Dealing with Cancer Diagnosis

45:36 Challenges with the Healthcare System

47:32 Overcoming Health Challenges

51:48 Making Friends and Embracing the Culture

58:00 Cultural Differences: Work Ethic and Political Views

01:06:30 Advice for Living Abroad

01:14:08 Embracing New Experiences and Perspectives

Summary:

In this episode, Molly answers 10 quick-fire questions about her expat life in Costa Rica. She talks about her favorite place to live, her favorite international food, and her favorite international tradition. Molly also discusses the best thing about living abroad, the hardest thing about it, and her best expat life hack. She shares her love for being on boats, the phrase she's learned while living abroad, and her advice for making new friends. The episode ends with a thank you message.

Takeaways:

Connect with Us:

Subscribe, Rate, and Review:

If you enjoyed this episode of The Expat Pod, please subscribe, rate, and leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners like you and continue to deliver valuable content on life as an expat.

Sound Bites:

"What's your favorite place you ever lived? Well I live right on Lake Arnall in a town called Tronadora and I love it here because it's just beautiful there's rolling green hills and a lake and a volcano in distance and it's just an absolutely beautiful place to be."

"Oh, kebabs, hands down, kebabs."

"Well, I guess technically St. Patrick's Day is an international tradition for me now since I live in Costa Rica. So I'll go with that one."

Chapters:

00:00 Favorite Place and International Food

01:53 Favorite International Tradition

03:19 The Best Thing About Living Abroad

04:45 The Challenges of Living Abroad

06:33 Molly's Expat Life Hack

08:27 Making New Friends

09:19 Boats and Bliss

10:45 The Versatile Phrase: Pura Vida

12:40 Making the Most of Expat Life

13:10 A Thank You Message and Call to Engage

Summary:

Molly, an American expat living in Costa Rica, shares her journey of moving abroad and the reasons behind it. She was motivated by a desire to be closer to nature and alleviate chronic pain. Molly's move was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced her to adapt her podcast production business to a remote model. She chose Costa Rica because of her previous connections to the country and the positive experiences she had during a visit. Molly initially faced challenges, including a difficult living situation and a traumatic home invasion, but she persevered and found a safe and welcoming community. She now enjoys the natural beauty and outdoor activities that Costa Rica has to offer. Molly shares her experiences of living in Costa Rica and offers advice for those considering moving abroad. She discusses the challenges of driving in Costa Rica, the importance of learning the local language, and the need to stay visible in your industry when working remotely. Molly also talks about her visits back to the US, the impact of the January 6th insurrection in DC, and the political climate in Costa Rica. She advises taking it slow when moving abroad, joining local crime groups for accurate information, and envisioning your perfect day to make it a reality.

Connect with Us:

Subscribe, Rate, and Review:

If you enjoyed this episode of The Expat Pod, please subscribe, rate, and leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners like you and continue to deliver valuable content on life as an expat.

Takeaways:

Sound Bites:

"Being closer to nature and a little bit more grounded."

"I'm gonna be better at doing everything fully remote than everybody else."

"I was drugged and robbed in a home invasion."

"There's always a chance you're going to die every time you get in your car because the roads are so narrow and windy."

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:53 Motivation for Moving Abroad

06:11 Adapting to Remote Work

09:03 Navigating the Visa Process

12:00 Finding Accommodation

14:52 Initial Impressions of Costa Rica

17:01 Dealing with a Traumatic Experience

19:48 Interacting with the Police and Government

24:07 Settling into a New Community

28:00 Embracing the Natural Beauty of Costa Rica

30:48 Living Abroad: Cultural Differences and Local Laws

31:44 The Importance of Language Learning

33:03 Staying Visible in Remote Work

37:42 The Impact of the January 6th Insurrection

39:40 The Changing City of DC

42:00 The Political Climate in Costa Rica

53:21 Joining Local Crime Groups for Information

56:45 Envisioning Your Perfect Day

Summary:

In this conversation, James Doran interviews Mary Martha, an American expat living in Chile. They discuss various topics related to expat life, including favorite places to live, favorite international food, favorite international tradition, favorite thing about living abroad, best homesickness remedy, hardest thing about living abroad, best phrase learned while living abroad, best way to make new friends, and best thing to do in a new city. Mary Martha shares her experiences and insights, providing valuable advice for other expats.

Takeaways:

Sound Bites

"Living abroad allows for the opportunity to create our own kind of hybrid of cultures."

"Connect with your culture through food, calls with friends or family, or watching familiar movies."

"I love exploring a new city by walking and just observing people."

Connect with Us:

Subscribe, Rate, and Review:

If you enjoyed this episode of The Expat Pod, please subscribe, rate, and leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners like you and continue to deliver valuable content on life as an expat.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

04:16 Creating an International Mindset

05:09 Coping with Homesickness

12:21 Exploring a New City

14:50 Navigating the Challenges of Expat Life

Summary:

Mary Martha shares her experience of moving to Chile and living as an expat. She initially wanted to learn Spanish and chose Chile as her destination. She had a family friend living there, which made the decision easier. Mary Martha entered Chile with a tourist visa and later applied for a temporary work visa. She started teaching English and later transitioned to working at a digital marketing company. Mary Martha found it challenging to learn Spanish as many people wanted to practice their English with her. She also noticed that Chileans tend to hold onto their high school friends, making it difficult to integrate into social groups. In this conversation, Martha shares her experiences of living abroad in Chile for the past eight years. She discusses the challenges she faced, such as language barriers and cultural differences, as well as the rewards of immersing herself in a new culture. Martha emphasizes the importance of self-care and prioritizing personal values while living abroad. She also offers advice for those considering a move abroad, encouraging them to be compassionate with themselves and to focus on their own well-being and growth.

Takeaways:

Connect with Us:

Subscribe, Rate, and Review:

If you enjoyed this episode of The Expat Pod, please subscribe, rate, and leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners like you and continue to deliver valuable content on life as an expat.

Sound Bites:

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Connection with the Host

01:12 The Inspiration for Moving Abroad and Choosing Chile

05:05 Visa Process and Teaching English in Chile

12:18 First Impressions and Settling into Life in Chile

24:04 Finding Permanent Accommodation and Social Life

28:49 Transitioning to a Chilean Company and Language Learning Challenges

36:52 Navigating Language Barriers and Cultural Differences

38:16 Meeting Chilean Friends and Partners

41:38 Building Relationships and Making Connections

43:08 Professional Life and Language Use

44:05 Exploring South America and Travel Experiences

46:27 Maintaining Connections with Friends and Family

49:49 Balancing Social Life and Personal Well-being

55:05 Career Growth and Personal Development Abroad

58:32 Prioritizing Self-Care and Personal Values

01:08:31 Aligning with Personal Values for a Fulfilling Life Abroad

Summary:

In this quickfire questions section of the podcast, James asks Aleksandra about her experiences living abroad. They discuss her first place of living, favorite international food, favorite international tradition, best thing about living abroad, homesickness remedy, hardest thing about living abroad, best phrase learned abroad, making new friends, exploring new cities, and expat life hacks.

Find the amazing literature Aleksandra has produced about her travels here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=sasha+borya

And go listen to Aleksandra Fayermans podcast "Teach a man to think" - https://open.spotify.com/show/6RBmguRAMopo82hqzFP1j0?si=cfb1756cb16346c8

Takeaways:

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:03 Experiencing Home Away from Home

01:59 Savoring International Flavors

02:30 Embracing New Traditions

03:23 Breaking Free from Routine

04:21 Finding Comfort in Familiarity

04:51 Navigating the Language Barrier

06:30 Building Connections Abroad

07:29 Exploring Cities Like a Local

08:29 Thriving as an Expat

Connect with Us:

Subscribe, Rate, and Review:

If you enjoyed this episode of The Expat Pod, please subscribe, rate, and leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners like you and continue to deliver valuable content on life as an expat.