Ever thought you'd move abroad for love and end up reinventing your entire career? 

That’s exactly what happened to Kate from Career Denmark. In this episode, we chat about her expat story - from landing in Denmark without a clear plan to building a meaningful career that helps other internationals do the same.

We talk job hunting, cultural curveballs, the power of networking (the real kind, not the awkward kind), and what it really takes to stay hopeful when things don’t go as planned.

If you’ve ever felt lost or unsure in your work life abroad - this one’s for you.

Tune in to learn the following takeaways:

• Kate’s expat story, from moving to Denmark for love to creating a career that helps other internationals thrive (spoiler: it wasn’t linear, but that’s the beauty of it!).
  

• Why building a career abroad isn’t just about work - it’s also about who you want to be in this chapter of your life.
  

• The networking advice we wish someone had given us earlier (hint: it’s more about real relationships than handing out résumés).
  

• How understanding local culture, job market quirks, and unspoken norms can totally change your job search game.
  

• And a reminder we all need: unemployment or career twists don’t define your worth, kindness toward yourself is key while figuring things out abroad.

  
  

Timestamps:

06:11 - Navigating Career Transitions Abroad

12:11 - Deciding Between Opportunities: Heart vs. Logic

15:01 - Overcoming Challenges in the Danish Job Market

18:03 - The Importance of Networking and Community

20:48 - Understanding Danish Work Culture

27:01 - The Role of Mindset in Career Success

29:49 - Common Networking Challenges for Expats

33:07 - Strategies for Effective Networking

36:06 - The Value of Continuous Networking - Understanding Danish Work Culture

42:05 - Building Community Through Networking

46:12 - Cultural Differences in Job Markets

52:20 - Navigating Job Applications and Networking

58:54 - The Importance of Personal Branding

01:07:20 - Researching and Adapting to New Cultures

Get in touch with Kate!

• Kate’s Website

• Kate’s LinkedIn

Let’s connect!

• Mary Martha’s Website

• Mary Martha’s LinkedIn

• Mary Martha’s Instagram
  

Have you ever made a big move for love - and then had to figure out everything else after? In this episode, I sit down with Megan, an American expat who’s been living in Germany for over a decade. We chat about what it’s really like to start over abroad: navigating career changes, learning a new language, and building friendships that actually feel meaningful.

Megan shares the highs and lows of parenting in a new culture, especially during isolating times like COVID, and how she’s raising her son to embrace both his American and German roots. From cultural differences at work to finding joy in the small things, we talk about how your perspective on success, identity, and community shifts when you live abroad - and how resourcefulness and connection make all the difference.

If you’ve ever struggled with staying true to yourself while adapting to life abroad, this one’s for you.

Tune in to learn the following takeaways:

• Living and parenting abroad require intentionality—from building community and maintaining cultural identity to navigating career shifts and raising bilingual children.
  

• Expat life offers perspective shifts on success, friendships, and parenting, especially when facing cultural differences and isolation.
  

• Support systems matter—language skills, professional networks, and meaningful connections are essential for thriving abroad.

01:54 - Love and Relocation Decisions

06:00 - Navigating Career and Education in Germany

09:55 - Cultural Adjustments and Work Environment

14:01 - Building Connections and Community

17:49 - Transitioning from Munich to Hamburg

22:14 - Embracing Parental Leave and Community Building

26:00 - Balancing Work and Family Life

30:00 - Perspective on Career and Life Choices

32:23 - Navigating Cultural Comparisons and Personal Choices

34:00 - The Challenges of Parenthood Abroad

36:20 - Building Community as an Expat Parent

39:16 - Resourcefulness in Overcoming Isolation

42:45 - Raising a Bilingual Child in a Multicultural Environment

46:47 - Traveling with a Multicultural Perspective

51:12 - Finding Community and Connection Abroad

55:24 - Maintaining Cultural Identity While Adapting

Mary Martha's Links:

• ⁠After the Honeymoon Ends: My Signature 3-Month 1:1 Coaching Program for Expats⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mary Martha's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mary Martha's Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mary Martha's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

Have you ever felt pressured to “fit in” while adapting to a new culture?

The way you dress, eat, talk, and just are as a person feels like it makes you stick out like a sore thumb?

Been there. For way too long if we’re being honest!

Dive into a question a follower sent in of “Staying yourself while adapting to a new culture” - because you didn’t move abroad to lose your sparkle, to lose what makes you - YOU.

Tune in to learn the following takeaways:

• Stay True to Yourself While Adapting – Balance who you are with the culture around you by defining your non-negotiables and embracing what resonates with you.

• Let Go of Pressure to Fit In – You don’t have to adopt every cultural norm. Choosing what aligns with you leads to growth and authenticity.

• Find Connection and Belonging – Surround yourself with people who accept you and support your journey of cultural adaptation.

Timestamps:01:58 - Staying True to Yourself

03:54 - Defining Your What Makes You, You

08:41 - Identifying Cultural Attachments

12:57 - Letting Go of Unhelpful Norms

17:04 - Embracing Change and Acceptance

Mary Martha's Links:

• ⁠After the Honeymoon Ends: My Signature 3-Month 1:1 Coaching Program for Expats⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mary Martha's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mary Martha's Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mary Martha's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of Your Best Life Abroad Podcast, join me as I chat with Emily Carroll, an American expat in London, about the real ups and downs of life abroad. From studying overseas to navigating post-grad uncertainty, Emily shares how she built a social network, tackled loneliness, and redefined belonging in a new city.

We dive into the contrast between the dreamy expat life and the everyday realities—like perfectionism, culture shock, and language struggles. If you’re living abroad, you don’t want to miss this one as Emily provides so many valuable nuggets of wisdom into how to build a truly fulfilling life abroad. 

Tune in to learn the following takeaways:

• Expat life isn’t all glam—it's everyday life. The honeymoon phase fades, and adjusting to reality takes time, patience, and a strong support system.

• Building a social network is key. Finding your people helps combat loneliness and create a sense of belonging in a new city.

• Mindset shifts make all the difference. Perspective, realistic expectations, and self-acceptance help expats navigate challenges like culture shock and perfectionism.

• Social media vs. reality. Expats often feel pressure to live a picture-perfect life, but embracing the ups and downs is essential for long-term happiness.

• Balance is everything. From managing friendships back home to adapting to new cultures, expat life is about finding joy in both the adventure and the mundane.

Timestamps:

• 00:47 - Emily's Journey from the U.S. to London
• 03:09 - Studying Abroad: A Different Perspective
• 07:05 - Navigating Life After Graduate School
• 11:08 - Building a Social Network in a New City
• 15:39 - Mindset Shifts and Overcoming Loneliness
• 18:51 - The Reality of Expat Life vs. Expectations
• 23:34 - Managing Doubts and Finding Belonging
• 30:02 - The Importance of Perspective in Expat Life
• 37:56 - Navigating the Honeymoon Phase
• 40:24 - Transitioning to Everyday Life
• 43:57 - The Pressure of Perfectionism
• 49:53 - Finding Balance in Expat Life
• 55:43 - Individual Experiences of Expat Life
• 01:01:10 - Overcoming Challenges and Building Confidence
• 01:07:55 - Living Your Best Life Abroad

Mary Martha's Links:

• ⁠After the Honeymoon Ends: My Signature 3-Month 1:1 Coaching Program for Expats⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mary Martha's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mary Martha's Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mary Martha's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

Today in the IG Live (& on the podcast today!) I answer a question from a follower:

How to navigate the flood of extra thoughts that come by being by yourself a lot.

This is something that we all go through. The increase of alone time. The extra flood of thoughts. And let's be real, the uncomfortable, unkind, & unwanted thoughts.

Today I dive into how to navigate these thoughts, and to use this alone time for your own personal self growth.

Tune in to learn this episode's takeaways:

• Why the flood of extra thoughts comes up when you’re alone a lot abroad

• Why distracting and “staying busy” just makes it worse in the long-run

• A simple process to start navigating being flooded by thoughts when you’re by yourself a lot

Mary Martha's Links:

• After the Honeymoon Ends: My Signature 3-Month 1:1 Coaching Program for Expats⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Mary Martha's Website⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Mary Martha's Instagram⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Mary Martha's LinkedIn⁠⁠

P.S.

If we're not connected on IG already - let's be friends on Instagram if we're not already @coachwithmm)!

In the final episode of the friendship series, we explore female friendships abroad. Including decoding girl code in female friendships abroad with the locals, the importance of shared vulnerability in female friendships (& how to start doing this if it scares you!), & more.

Tune in to learn the following takeaways:

Takeaways:

• Female friendships abroad can be challenging but rewarding.
• Cultural dynamics play a significant role in friendship formation.
• Vulnerability is essential for deepening friendships.
• Not all expats will connect just because of nationality.
• Friendships take time to develop and require effort.
• Observing local friendship dynamics can aid in making connections.
• Shared experiences can foster deeper bonds among women.
• It's okay to have mostly expat friends.
• Cultural differences should be viewed with curiosity, not judgment.
• Building friendships is a gradual process that varies for everyone.

Timestamps:

00:00- Introduction to Female Friendships Abroad

02:07- Decoding Cultural Dynamics in Friendships

09:01 - The Role of Vulnerability in Friendships

13:41 - Navigating Connections: Beyond Nationality

16:00 - The Timeline of Building Friendships

18:07 - Understanding Intercultural Friendships

Mary Martha's Links:

• After the Honeymoon Ends: My Signature 3-Month 1:1 Coaching Program for Expats⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Mary Martha's Website⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Mary Martha's Instagram⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Mary Martha's LinkedIn⁠⁠

In today’s part two of the three-part series on friendship we dive into maintaining friendships while living abroad. Discussing why intentional communication, the acceptance of evolving friendship dynamics, and the necessity of grieving changes in relationships are so important to maintaining friendships and navigating friendships amongst shifts in the dynamic. The conversation is structured around two main themes: maintaining long-distance friendships and navigating the shifts in friendships as life progresses. Mary Martha shares personal experiences and practical advice for expats to foster meaningful connections despite geographical distances and life changes.

Tune in to learn this episode's takeaways:

Mary Martha's Links:

• ⁠⁠Your Best Life Abroad: My Signature 3-Month 1:1 Coaching Program for Expats⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Mary Martha's Website⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Mary Martha's Instagram⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Mary Martha's LinkedIn⁠

In today's episode I share why it feels harder than ever to make friends as an adult abroad. Today's episode is the first part of a three-part series of friendships abroad.

We know that our friends abroad can make or break our experience living abroad - but getting there can take time, effort, and consistency - as well as navigating the bumps in those friendships that will eventually happen. 

Tune in to learn this episode's takeaways:

• Why it's so hard to make friends as an adult.

• The invisible obstacles that make it harder to make friends as an adult abroad.

• Mindset shifts to move away from loneliness abroad and move towards new friendships.

Mary Martha's Links:

• ⁠⁠Your Best Life Abroad: My Signature 3-Month 1:1 Coaching Program for Expats⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Mary Martha's Website⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Mary Martha's Instagram⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Mary Martha's LinkedIn⁠

Another baby, house, marriage, etc. announcement pops up on your Instagram feed and you find yourself doubting if you’re in the right place. Comparing your unique timeline to others. Wondering if you’re behind?

This is what happens when we fall down the rabbit hole of comparison. As expats, we live an unconventional life - on our own timelines. Let’s own this, and get back in the driver's seat of our own lives instead of letting the voice of comparison run the show.

Tune in to learn:

• How your aligning your expat life with your values is the antidote to comparison 

• The questions to ask yourself when you’re comparing yourself to others

• How to use jealousy and envy to work for you, instead of against you

Mary Martha's Links:

• ⁠Your Best Life Abroad: My Signature 3-Month 1:1 Coaching Program for Expats⁠

• ⁠Mary Martha's Website⁠

• ⁠Mary Martha's Instagram⁠

• ⁠Mary Martha's LinkedIn

2024 was a big year for me, it was the year I launched my coaching business Coach With MM. From the outside looking in, you probably couldn't tell that 2024 was also the year I struggled with self-doubt. But it sure was.

Improving my self-confidence despite dealing with self-doubt was a major lesson I learned in 2024 - and one that applies to all phases of expat life. Making new friends. Growing a career in another culture & language. Not sure where to move to next. Dating & relationships. You name it. Doubt will be there.

Tune in to learn this episode's takeaways:

• How I moved from an attitude of self-doubt to self-confidence after a tough year
• Why self-doubt is normal in your life abroad

Mary Martha's Links:

• Your Best Life Abroad: My Signature 3-Month 1:1 Coaching Program for Expats
• Mary Martha's Website
• Mary Martha's Instagram
• Mary Martha's LinkedIn