Your Favorite Expats

Water breaking ten days early. Laboring in another language. And reaching seven centimeters before practically begging for an epidural. 👶🇪🇸In this episode, Victoria shares what it was really like giving birth in Barcelona — from those first contractions at home to navigating a Spanish hospital, the lifesaving presence of her doula, and all the little things she definitely wasn’t expecting.We also get into what happens after the baby arrives: hospital quirks, newborn paperwork, getting an American passport, and one truly unforgettable passport photo.Whether you’re expecting abroad, curious about giving birth in Spain, or just love a good birth story, this one’s for you.Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!Website: ⁠⁠https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/⁠⁠Tik Tok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexes⁠⁠Youtube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes

Finding out you’re pregnant comes with a million questions. Finding out you’re pregnant while living abroad? Add a few more. 🤰🇪🇸

In this episode, Victoria shares what it was like navigating her first pregnancy in Spain — from figuring out the healthcare system and appointments in another language to the things that surprised her most along the way. We talk about what felt different, what she loved, and what it’s really like preparing for a baby far from family.

Pregnant abroad, thinking about it, or just curious? This one’s for you.

Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!

Website: ⁠⁠https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/

⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/⁠⁠

Tik Tok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexes⁠⁠

Youtube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes

Say Ahhh...broad! American healthcare: expensive, complicated, familiar. European healthcare: affordable, efficient, confusing. Is there no co-pay, or did I just doctor-and-dash? Should I stock up on children’s Tylenol on my next trip back to the US? From kids’ checkups in a foreign language to adult-sized confusion at the pharmacy, we’re sharing what it’s like to be sick (or just slightly concerned) in a brand-new system.

Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!

Website: ⁠https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/⁠

Tik Tok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexes⁠

Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes

Are you still you if your zip code, friend group, language, and grocery store snacks have all changed?

In this episode, we dive into the complicated question of identity abroad. From subtle shifts in how we speak or dress to major parenting pivots—we're figuring out whether moving abroad rewrites your personality—or just edits it in a different font.

Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!

Website: https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexes

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes

Moving abroad sounds exciting—until you’re at the doctor’s office or a parent-teacher meeting with zero clue what’s going on. In this episode, we get real about what it’s actually like to learn a new language while building a life in a new country. From awkward conversations and unexpected wins to feeling guilty about not being fluent “yet,” we talk about what helps, what doesn’t, and why asking for support isn’t a weakness—it’s survival. Whether you’re mixing up verbs or just trying to make a friend, this one’s for you.

Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!

Website: ⁠https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/⁠

Tik Tok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexespodcast?_t=ZT-8wJxwJENG4k&_r=1⁠

Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes⁠

Hope is Google Translating her way through parenting abroad. In Part 2 of our interview series, Victoria’s asking all the questions about being a mom in a foreign country. How do you choose a school from halfway across the world? And is that toddler babble—or a Spanish word we just haven’t learned yet?We dig into what it’s like to sort through unfamiliar parenting norms—deciding which ones to embrace, and which to toss out with the stale breadsticks.It’s an honest look at raising kids far from home: new challenges, new snacks, and the weirdly wonderful ways discomfort builds resilience (for both you *and* your tiny humans).If you’re thinking about parenting in a place where you don’t even know the word for “diaper,” this one’s for you.Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!

Website: https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexespodcast?_t=ZT-8wJxwJENG4k&_r=1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes

Welcome to part one of our two-part interview series!

This week, Hope channels her inner journalist and puts Victoria in the hot seat to talk all things working abroad. From Corporate America to Café Culture, we unpack what it’s really like to live and work in Spain—and how it shapes everything from career goals to daily routines. Spoiler: slower doesn’t mean slacking.

Next week, we flip the mic. Victoria will interview Hope about parenting abroad (yes, we’re talking navigating the school system in a second language).

If you've ever wondered what it’s like to quit the grind and take your laptop to Europe—this one’s for you.

Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!

Website: https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexespodcast?_t=ZT-8wJxwJENG4k&_r=1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes

Moving to Barcelona and realizing unfurnished means literally four walls and a prayer.

In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of our chaotic journeys to find apartments abroad—complete with mystery rental contracts and miscommunication.

We navigate second-hand shopping like it’s a scavenger hunt, debate whether a couch is a luxury or a necessity, and slowly unravel the complicated and beautiful world of European rental life.

It’s part travel diary and part therapy session.

Spain/European Home Store options for furnishing an unfurnished apartment

Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!

Website: https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexespodcast?_t=ZT-8wJxwJENG4k&_r=1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes

Ever wonder how to choose the right country to live in? It’s not just about picking somewhere "cool" — there’s a lot more to consider when making a big move abroad! In this episode, we dive into the how-to of picking the perfect place, from finances and language barriers to figuring out how often you’ll want to fly back home.

We’ll chat about the realities of travel vs. living somewhere long-term, and why some cities (even if they’re dreamy) just might not be worth the price tag. We also discuss important things to consider, like whether you want to live in the suburbs, a city, or rural areas, and how to test out the vibe of a place—from public transport to language barriers and getting lost in a new neighborhood. Ready to start your own adventure? Tune in to get all the advice you need before you pack your bags!

Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!

Website: ⁠https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/⁠

Tik Tok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexespodcast?_t=ZT-8wJxwJENG4k&_r=1⁠

Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes

Going back home after moving abroad isn’t always as simple as booking a flight. From juggling family expectations to squeezing in time with friends (all while trying to enjoy your trip), visiting home can be an emotional, financial, and logistical challenge.

In this episode, we unpack the pressures of returning home—who gets priority, what events you feel obligated to attend, and whether you “owe” more visits because you left. We also dive into the trade-offs of using vacation time to go home versus exploring new places and how to set boundaries to make visits more enjoyable and less exhausting.

If you’ve ever struggled with homecoming guilt or felt torn between two places, this one’s for you.

Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!

Website: https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexespodcast?_t=ZT-8wJxwJENG4k&_r=1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes