The host of 'Expat Empire' - David McNeill - makes an appearance here on 'The Expat Experience'! David shares his experiences studying in Singapore, in addition to working in China, Japan, Germany, and finally Portugal. We talk at length about his work life in Tokyo and Berlin respectively, how his line of work has gradually changed over the years, and the cultural differences within continents. He dives deep into adjusting to life in Porto, learning Portuguese, and the finer details of...

Currently based in Chicago, Kate shares her experiences living and working in India and Singapore! She started her journey to India through learning Hindi, and she expresses how mastering the language helped her better integrate into her local community. Her professional life in both India and Singapore were spent in the same fashion company, and we have the chance to explore expat realities in - and experiences between - both countries. We also explore the visa categories of both countries,...

In this episode, I talk with Anastasia who owns and operates her own digital marketing agency in Australia. Her life has been full of international experiences: she shares her experiences living in multiple countries in her formative years, in addition to her illustrious history with learning foreign languages. We explore her earlier career as a Management Consultant in the U.K. too, and how she used her knowledge of foreign languages and cultures to her advantage! She explains the visa she...

Borna is an old friend of mine who is residing in London. He tells me about the pricey public transportation system, his favorite parts of the city, and how it has been mythologized in many ways. He also shares his motivations for pursuing his PhD in the U.K. (versus Sweden), how he was able to study more affordably and flexibly when compared to other students, his potential plans after graduation, and why he truly loves walking around and exploring London! If you'd like to register for 'The...

Kicking off the fourth season, I have the chance to talk with the Founder of Cospace Elie Assuied. In our conversation, we explore co-living and co-working spaces, building communities and relationships, working as a digital nomad (including some very unexpected jobs!), and internet connectivity across the world. Elie shares his multifaceted background as an expat, how he discovered and fell in love with Koh Phangan, starting a school for aspiring digital nomads, why he believes solo travel...

Lana is a Multilingual Trainer who teaches multiple languages online, including Spanish and English! She describes how she pursued her Master's degree in Spain and met her other half there; she even gained experience teaching English to children in Xiamen, China for a year. We explore the difficulties of applying for a Work Visa in Spain as a Russian citizen, including the laundry list of documents she needed! Lana tells me about the popularity of Alicante, especially among European expats,...

Ali tells me about how she discovered a structured way to pursue life abroad through the Peace Corps for two years, from September 2016 to Dec 2018. She worked at a center for high school girls and taught English, tutored and even did yoga with them! Her life journey has been a fascinating one, transitioning from farm life, to corporate life, and finally to life abroad! We explore the difference in perspectives of younger vs older expats, what it's like to live as a woman in Morocco, dealing...

Federica talks with me about how she studied psychology in Italy first, and was an exchange student in Norway. She became a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, then the University of Chicago to pursue her PhD, and finally completed training to become a psychotherapist in Boston. We spend some time comparing her experiences between Chicago and Boston, and university life between Italy and the United States. She also shares other parts of the US that she traveled to, and which city...

Carrie is an Intercultural Trainer who resided in Mexico City with her husband from January 2020 until very recently, but has now returned to Europe. She talks with me about transitioning from academia to cultural competence training and consulting: all with a focus on Latin America, and explains how her work has evolved over the last few years to include pre vs. post-departure considerations for moving abroad. She shares what drew her to Mexico and Latin America in particular, and how her...

Hailing from Birmingham, Thomas tells me about studying physics at Oxford University and meeting many Germans there. Crazily, he graduated into the 2008 global recession and started doing student jobs in Germany, including one for an online dating platform! He has spent 8 years in the country thus far, and describes Hamburg's cosmopolitan vibe: a happy medium between being having all of the amenities of a major city without feeling completely anonymous. After doing a series of student jobs,...

Phil describes his role as the Lead Trainer for a non-profit learning center focused on experiential education, and how he came to the US through a summer camp program. He expresses how the job profoundly reshaped his career path in education! We spend some time laughing about the common mix-up between New York State and New York City, and his experience traveling to the Grand Canyon with his friends. We also banter about airlines offering massively discounted flights in the era of...

Juriy and I chat about his work as a Solution Architect for a large IT company, developing solutions for insurance companies and banks. He shares how a business trip transformed into extended time in Switzerland, and why he took a break in Shenzhen, China for three years prior to returning to Switzerland! He describes the broad array of leisure options in Zurich (especially outdoor sports), and how the city has a much slower, quieter pace of life. We also discuss how well-organized,...

Sophie talks with me about her job as a Content Manager for a travel company, and how she was moved to working from home at reduced hours during the peak of the pandemic. She explains how revenue is steadily rising within the EU with increased travel. We also discuss the ease of transitioning into life in Germany from the Netherlands, with no need for a visa as an EU citizen! She shares about how prior to Germany, she lived and worked as a digital nomad; her encounters with people in the...

We start off by discussing the job market for foreign teachers in Taiwan, how he made the journey from S. Korea to Taiwan, and how easily he transitioned into his new life there. He tells me about how he effortlessly balances his time between working as a teacher and authoring fantasy and extreme horror fiction! He also describes the ease of entering Taiwan vs. South Korea. In Taiwan, you are required to have the Alien Registration Card (ARC), even though it isn't technically considered a...

Naomi and I dive deep into the remote work lifestyle, and how workaholic tendencies can creep in! We also explore the differences in work culture between North American and Europe, and how the pandemic has shifted our collective thinking on 'conventional' work. She shares how she met her husband in Europe and experienced difficulty proving her marriage to the visa office! Lastly, we talk about why they'll be heading to the US eventually, the flexibility afforded by entrepreneurial and remote...

We're all enduring difficult times right now, but I don't want this podcast to fade away! I wanted to update my listeners on what's next, and hopefully lift your spirits a bit. If you're a current or recent expat who would like to share your experiences on the podcast, feel free to reach out! | Website: https://www.theexpatexperience.org/ | | Email: [email protected] | | Facebook Page: 'The Expat Experience' | 

(!!! Bear in mind, this episode was recorded prior to the COVID-19 outbreak !!!) Forsythia and I have a very raw, in-depth conversation about life in Shenzhen, China. She explains why she chose China over South Korea, how she truly got out of her comfort zone, and how the alluring photos of foreign countries on Instagram drew her into expat life! She compares and contrasts teaching children in public schools vs. international schools in Shenzhen, and how the latter represents a much more...

Zack Shay is a savvy Online Marketing Consultant working remotely in Ireland. She talks at length with me about her unconventional choice to relocate to a country in which many of the locals are trying to get out! We dive into what it's like living in a small Irish town vs. in Dublin, her journey into working in online marketing, and foregoing the "go, go, go!" culture of the US in exchange for a calmer one. She also shares how she's acquired local and governmental information through sheer...

Dave tells me about his career as a Laughter Coach in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)! He shares how he started creating 'laughter demonstration' videos in the U.S., and how he uses "laughing on purpose" to connect with people across the world. Further, he gives me insight into the accommodation perks he's received while touring in different places! He describes how he originally planned to write his next book in the city, and was drawn to it by an old friend. We talk with considerable detail about...

We explore Leanne's multifaceted reasons for relocating to Hamburg eight years ago! We dive deep into comical and charming Germany vocabulary, along with our future travel aspirations. Further, we tackle German bureaucracy, job applications and taxes; Leanne also shares her experience in becoming a German citizen, namely completing the test and attending the ceremony! Continuing on the humorous side, she describes a hilarious, yet terrible mistake she made in her spoken German! She offers...

Jerod talks with me about joining the Peace Corps, particularly the rigorous requirements and interview process! He also articulates the need to overcome naivete and idealism when working in a volunteer position overseas. We speak at length about his life growing up in the United States, specifically about conquering his fear of flying post-9/11, the precarious nature of retirement, social security and the middle class, and the intense "live to work" culture. He shares how living and working...

Jerod talks with me about joining the Peace Corps, particularly the rigorous requirements and interview process! He also articulates the need to overcome naivete and idealism when working in a volunteer position overseas. We speak at length about Jerod's life growing up in the United States, specifically about conquering his fear of flying post-9/11, the precarious nature of retirement, social security and the middle class, and the intense "live to work" culture. He shares how living and...

Josee is a Mindful Travel Coach based in Madrid, Spain. She shares her experiences in transitioning from living in Peru to Spain, and from a 9-5 work life to an entrepreneurial one. She explains how she has cultivated a unique lifestyle that balances having a 'home base' while also enabling her to freely travel and explore!We explore at length the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded people, especially if you are seriously considering designing an authentic, unconventional...