My funny encounter at Colombian Customs at the Bogotá airport gave me my first minor viral moment on Tiktok, then it opened up dialogues about ignorance, the need for more cross-cultural communication and double standards society applies to developed vs developing countries, white vs people of color. I shared my eventful experiences and lots of learning in just five days of being in Bogotá. Join the ride and hear about what I've learned on this journey. 

If you enjoyed this episode and my content, I'd be so grateful if you could leave me a five-star rating and feedback so it can reach more people who'd find it beneficial. Let's connect on Instagram and Tiktok @yourbestieabroad so I can thank you personally. Have a great week and I'll see you in the next one!

In the past 5 days I lost running, AC, a functioning fridge, wifi, and my health (all great now). These 120 intense hours took away things that I take for granted and thought were "normal" all too often and gave me a mandatory "time out." I've been feeling creatively blocked in terms of my dissertation writing and my entrepreneurial endeavors. Although this reset didn't point me to the answer but has led me to come to terms with the "mundane" between the extreme highs and lows. We put almost all focus and hope on the triumphs and setbacks, and deem everything in between as stagnation or "being stuck." My point isn't to persuade your worldview but to share how I make the most out of life when it feels discouraging. If you are in an episode of reset, I hope this episode lets you know that you are really not alone and that this reset is here to bring you renewal! <3 

Let's connect on Instagram and Tiktok @yourbestieabroad. Let me know what kind of content you are interested in. I'd love to hear from you! 

I still remember how overwhelmed and stressed I was when I was looking for my first adult apartment in a new city for my PhD. From finding creditable leads that fit my budget to finding a trustworthy realtor, it was a lot of work, especially when I wasn't in the U.S. physically. In this episode, I have a very special and my first guest who is also a friend Jenn @miamihomefinder and Jennifer Home Realty, who has been a realtor specializing in the South Florida residential and commercial markets for 24 years. She'll walk you through the rental and homeownership process in the U.S. We talked about the essential paperwork, alternatives if you don't have a Social Security Number and/or a credit score, security deposit, and the general housing market in Miami and the U.S. if you are torn between renting vs. buying. 

If you find this episode helpful and enjoy the podcast, please so kindly rate it and leave me feedback. Find me on socials @yourbestieabroad so I can thank you in person. If you have any topics regarding living abroad, identity, cultural adjustment, and just the human experience of living abroad, please share them with me and I'd love to cover them in the future, maybe having you as a guest <3

Do you ever struggle with your name and identity abroad? Did you have to make a nickname or adopt a foreign name to make it "convenient" for others to call you? I felt embarrassed and anxious to say my name to a stranger for the longest time because I was afraid of being made fun of again or causing any inconvenience. I share how I came to terms with my identity, culture, and name while living in the U.S, and why I encourage every expat and international student to do so too. 

Did you know most creditable PhD programs offer full funding AND health insurance? Did you know that most industries don't recognize PhD as professional expereince? Do you know what a realistic day look like for a PhD? Come on in my friends, in this episode I share the 5 ugly and most important truths I wish I could tell my past self before applying for a PhD. I just want to share my honest observations to help you make the best decision for you. I'll share why I love doing a PhD and the unique values it's offered me in future episodes. 

If you enjoyed the episode, please be so kind and leave me a rating and comment so more people can find the show. I'd so love it if you could share it to your socials and tag me @yourbestieabroad so I can thank you personally! 

I am your bestie abroad who empowers you to flourish beyond an F1 OR H1B and, instead, human better to belong authentically. I want to normalize the neglected isolation, transition, and identity evolution as a shared human experience so that the border is only where our expansion begins and bonds never end. Shoot me a message on social and I'd love to hear your story abroad!

College applications, job search, immigration---the logistics of living abroad are coachable and outsourceable. But NOT the human experience of belonging and finding a sense of home in a foreign country. As an 11-year expat and international scholar living in the U.S., I share in this 3-part series about the 6 most important steps I took to align my values, evolving identities, and services to build a home abroad. In this episode I discuss "Seeking the Self" and "Allowing Compassion for Imperfection" to build the foundation for a steady and sustainable social circle and meaningful life abroad. 

If you enjoyed this episode, I'd so appreciate it if you could rate and share your feedback. Take it to social media and tag me @yourbestieabroad in your post and story so I can thank you personally. 

I am your bestie abroad who empowers you to flourish beyond an F1 OR H1B and, instead, human better to belong authentically. I want to normalize the neglected isolation, transition, and identity evolution as a shared human experience so that the border is only where our expansion begins and bonds never end. Shoot me a message on social and I'd love to hear your story abroad!