Meet the Expats
In Meet the Expats, expat podcast, you will hear stories from expats all over the world as they share their motivations, challenges and unique experiences in the new place they have decided to call home, for a few years, months or a lifetime. 🌍 From making new friends, and dating, to kids and looking for a new job, these expats will share how they got through the challenges of moving their lives to a new country, their top secret addresses and favorite spots we all wish we had when we settled into a new city. ✈️ Tune in every second wednesday to discover...
Meet Umberto : his American Dream in New York
Meet Umberto,
Born and raised in Italy, he grew up with a picture of his grand father in Brooklyn, and that became his life goal. Travelling to New York, he started networking in the airport, while waiting in line to board the plane, little did he know this person would later become his very first employer in New York.
They stayed in touch, and a few months later he was offered a job. Then off he went to New York, the rest is history. Ambitious and hard working he settled right in...
Meet Salina : a life built around community in Madrid
Meet Selena, an American expat who moved from Texas to Madrid at just 24, despite never having visited the city before.
Eight years later, Selena is still living in Spain and has gone through quite the expat journey, from teaching English and learning Spanish to navigating multiple visas, building a community from scratch, and eventually switching to Spain’s digital nomad visa.
In this episode, Selena shares what motivated her to leave the US and try life in Europe after a six-week backpacking trip opened her eyes to a different way of living. She ta...
Meet Urmi: From Italy to Montreal, Finding Home Across Cultures
Meet with Urmi,
an Italian with Bengali roots who grew up in Italy, spent time in the UK, and has now been living in Montreal, Canada for the past decade.
Urmi is a Third Culture Kid, and her story is one of navigating different identities. Growing up with Bengali parents in Italy, she experienced a “dual life”: one version of herself at school and another at home. She shares the challenges of feeling both Italian and not quite Italian, while also feeling different within her Bengali community.
We follow her...
Meet Dennison: Life Beyond the Golden Visa
Meet Denison Smith, an American novelist who recently traded the wide-open landscapes of New Mexico for the rolling countryside of Portugal’s Alentejo region.
In this episode, Denison shares the story behind her move from the United States to Portugal, a journey that was years in the making thanks to Portugal’s Golden Visa program. What started as an “insurance policy” gradually became a life-changing decision, prompted by political shifts in the U.S., a desire for new possibilities, and the opportunity to build a slower, more intentional life abroad.
We tal...
Meet Amanda: from nomadic lifestyle to settled down in Copenhagen
Meet Amanda,
Who at the age of 17 started a nomadic lifestyle, bartending across 10 different countries, seizing every opportunity, before settling down with her family in Copenhagen.
Amanda shares her reverse culture shock when moving back to the US, and more about life, culture shocks and the wonderful work-life balance in Denmark.
Follow for more expat stories:
📘 Meet the Expats Blog
📹 Youtube Channel
📱TikTok
Credits:
Intro outro Ice tea, Not the king
Meet Maddalena : dating as an expat
Meet Maddalena,
an Italian relationship and dating coach now living in London, whose expat journey took her from a small town in Southern Italy to Dublin, Rome, and eventually London. In this episode, Maddalena shares how living abroad transformed not only her life, but also her approach to love, dating, and emotional connection.
Dublin became her turning point. What started as an exciting new chapter quickly turned into a deeper personal journey. Away from her support system, Maddalena began noticing repeating patterns in her relationships — idealising partners, confusing chemistry with compatibility, and un...
Meet Yolanda: from loneliness to belonging in the US
Meet Yolanda, a global expat who has relocated six times across the world before eventually settling in California — what started as a one-year adventure turned into 16 years, two children, and a deep journey of rebuilding home from scratch.
In this episode, Yolanda shares how she and her husband moved to the U.S. after winning the Green Card lottery, chasing sunshine and a new adventure. But beyond the excitement of Yosemite road trips and the honeymoon phase of expat life, reality soon set in: loneliness, cultural differences, and the unexpected challenge of building a li...
Meet Cécile: rediscovering France
Follow for more expat stories:
📘 Meet the Expats Blog
📹 Youtube Channel
📱TikTok
Credits:
Intro outro Ice tea, Not the king
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Meet Shannon: building her small business in Germany
Meet Shannon,
an American expat who followed love to Germany—and ended up building a thriving small business in Baden-Württemberg.
Originally from the San Francisco area, Shannon moved to Germany for what was meant to be a temporary chapter. Fourteen years later, she’s still there, raising a family and running her own aesthetics business from the ground up. In this episode, we talk about navigating entrepreneurship abroad, dealing with German bureaucracy, learning the language while building a client base, and adapting to cultural differences without losing yourself.
Shannon share...
Meet Josh: Community Building on the French Riviera
Meet Josh,
Entrepreneur, community builder, and Dutch expat who turned isolation on the French Riviera into connection, and a thriving international community.
Joshua moved to the South of France in 2018 with his wife, chasing a better quality of life, sunshine, and a slower pace. What he didn’t expect was how isolating life abroad could feel, even in one of the most beautiful regions in the world.
In this episode, we talk about
the reality of settling into the French Riviera: navigating language barriers, adapting to a slower (ve...
Meet Zach and Anna: making it easy for expats to move with StartAbroad
Meet Zach and Anna,
Serial expats and founders of StartAbroad, a relocation company built from real-life experience moving abroad, sometimes with support, sometimes completely on their own.
From the Dominican Republic to Kenya, Rwanda, an unexpected year stuck in the US during Covid, and finally settling in Costa Rica, Zach and Anna share the highs, lows, and emotional rollercoaster of expat life. We talk about culture shock, common expat mistakes, outdated information, scams, and why moving without the right support can quickly become overwhelming.
They also explain why they created...
Meet Tracey: identity shifts and finding home in your body
Meet Tracey,
Relocation coach, somatic practitioner, and six-time expat who has turned “trying it for three months” into a life philosophy. In this episode, we explore what it really means to build home within yourself—especially when life (and identity) keeps shifting with every move.
Tracey takes us through her first unexpected opportunity at just 16, the resilience she discovered in herself, and the massive identity shift that unfolded years later in Canada, where she learned that relocation doesn’t fix what hurts, it magnifies it. We dive into her FEEL framework for processi...
Meet Nancy: dealing with grief abroad
Meet Nancy,
After two decades of living abroad in Switzerland and Denmark, Nancy opens up about navigating grief as an expat — balancing a global career in biotech with the heartbreak of losing loved ones from afar.
She shares how returning to the U.S. reshaped her sense of home, what helped her cope with loss overseas, and how she found purpose again by building a new life (and business) back in Montana.
We discuss:
Managing grief and guilt while living abroad
Staying connected to fa...
Meet Megan: learning languages and building confidence
Meet Megan,
From starting out as an au pair in Germany to running her own language coaching business, Megan talks about how travel shaped her career, changed her mindset, her top tips for learning languages, and why confidence is the secret to better communication.
We discuss:
Building confidence when learning a new language
The difference between language lessons and coaching
Overcoming “learned helplessness” and perfectionism
Tips for immersion — from switching your phone language to joining local meetups
Megan’s Mexico Picks:
🌮 Tropical Ta...
Meet Dr Elefant-Yanni: the affective toll of expat life
Meet Dr. Elefant Yanni, a Swiss psychologist now based in Singapore, who has built a career helping expats and international couples navigate the highs and lows of life abroad. From her first move to Canada, then Korea, and now Singapore, Dr. Yanni shares how each relocation shaped her understanding of relationships, resilience, and the invisible bonds between expats.
In this conversation, we dive into the realities of expat life—the loneliness of the “trailing spouse,” the provider complex that can strain couples, and the small daily habits that keep love and family strong...
Meet Rekha: making nomad life easy for families
Meet Rehka,
Co-founder of Boundless Life, a program that helps families live, learn, and work abroad together. From childhood trips and student exchanges to creating a whole new way of schooling on the road, Rekha shares her journey to building a community where children thrive and parents connect while traveling the world.
She tells us about the spark that inspired Boundless Life, what a day in their schools looks like, and the magic of building deep friendships across cultures.
✨ Rekha’s recommendations:
Café...
Meet Tim: reuniting with his family in Mexico
Meet Tim,
Who met his Mexican wife at work in the US, at the time none spoke each other's language, but still they pushed through one word at the time. His wife, who already had children back in Mexico, had to go back to take care of them, and that's when their 18 year long distance relationship started, with children that he did not see grow up. During those 18 years, Tim managed to go visit her in Mexico 3 times, this by walking, yes walking across the US, until he eventually moved full time to Acapulco...
Meet Tsahia: back to her studies in Paris
Meet Tsahia,
After years of working in the healthcare sector in the US, it was time for a change: a Luxury Marketing Masters in Paris, her dream city. In this episode Tsahia shares her culture shocks regarding life in Paris and differences in the educational system.
We also discuss the similarities and differences with Emily in Paris, the fashion style and how she made friends through communities and her open spirit.
Her recommendations:
Petit Marcel for the snails
Le Gainsbourg for cocktails
<...Meet Natasha: from NYC to following her dream to live in London
Meet Natasha,
She left Russia with her family to move to Boston, despite the US not being her dream country. After finding a contract there, and trying to fit in to the culture, she moved on her own to New York, where she discovered a vibrant and buzzing city. 4 years in, it was time for a change and to live her dream: move to London.
In this episode we discuss
The differences when moving with your family versus moving alone and by choice: the empowerment this brings...
Meet Angela: questions to ask as an expat parent
Meet Angela,
New Yorker now living in Brussels, Belgium. After a layoff as a teacher in the US, Angela decided to make her first move abroad to South Korea. As South Korea did not "feel like real life", as in she did not see herself settling there for good, The Netherlands seemed like a good option for her. She moved there, and set up her business discovered the local culture for a few years before moving next door to Brussels with her partner, but this time pregnant.
In this...
Meet Tu-Oanh: co-founder of Carom, or how to build your social network
Meet Tu-Oahn,
Half French half American, she grew up between France and Tahiti where she had family, before moving off to Los Angeles living the American teenage and college dream.
She is now back in France, where she joined Ayoub as co-founder of Carom, a unique social networking app designed to connect you with like-minded individuals who share your interests and activities. As an expat and as an adult, meeting new people or just connecting with your friends to go out to restaurants or events is harder. Carom enables these connections around...
Meet Fiorenza: juggling multiple cultures in London
Meet Fiorenza,
Expat in London for 14 years now, she shares her love for languages and how she is juggling her Italian and french roots while living in London bringing up two kids who are embracing all the cultures and languages they are surrounded with and making them their own.
We dive into education differences in France, Italy and the UK. how Fiorenza has become so attached to vibrant London and of course she shares her recommendations for the city.
Sky garden for food with...
Meet Taha: when exile leads to the Dissident Club
Meet Taha Siddiqui,
Pakistani award-winning journalist, he has been living in exile in Paris since 2018, following a kidnapping attempt. Listen to his journey from fleeing Pakistan, to finding exile in France with his family, and building a new life by founding the Dissident Club, a Parisian cultural bar open to all.
His recommendations:
🥩 Eat at a Bouillon in Paris (Bouillon Chartier, Bouillon Julien, Bouillon Pigalle) for traditional food in a lively art deco hall
Have a stroll and picnic along Canal de l'Ourqq
His...
Meet Marc: Expat Experts in Athens
Meet Marc,
Fellow Expat podcaster he has moved his life twice now, in two very different situations. In this episode he shares how he left is native Spain, to settle in Frankfurt, Germany, with only 2 weeks notice 😱, as a job opportunity came up, and then a few years later, this time in a remote job he followed his partner who had an opportunity in Athens.
Now settled in Athens he shares his insights on Greek life: the slow way of life of the city, and the small-town vibes each neighborhood has to off...
Meet Mariam: TCK and multicultural expat family
Meet Mariam,
Pakistani, TCK and eternal expat, Mariam has lived in over 10 countries: moving alone, moving with her husband, and later moving as a multicultural family with their three children. Together, with her German-Italian husband, they have found different ways to bring their own cultures into their children's lives, creating traditions and some stability, all while embracing what each country has to bring. Each creating their own Mola as she likes to describe a TCKs identity.
As her expat life evolved, Mariam found new ways to reinvent herself and shifted her career...
Meet Sibylle: Immigrant in New York making dreams come true
Meet Sibylle Eschapasse,
After living the island life during part of her studies, she moved to New York to start a new life and settle. In this episode she shares
her arrival to the city by sea, on a cargoship just like immigrants would
how she made her dream of working at UN a reality
the changes New York has been through
Expat song: Empire State of Mind by Alicia Keys
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more...
Meet Daniella: finding roots in La Rochelle
Meet Daniella,
Half American, half Swedish, and part Malawi, she is the definition of multi-cultural. In this episode she shares her struggle to understand her identity and the multiple moves she made as a young woman eager to discover the world and what it has to offer.
After a couple of years in the US running after bills, she made the move to Sweeden for a new start in life, enrolled in University, and moved to a few other European countries before settling in France to join her partner in life. They...
Meet Josh & Kalie: Expats Everywhere
Meet Josh and Kalie,
In their 20s they decided to go live abroad together, and then expat life just never stopped. They traveled from country to country, leveling up as English teachers, until it was time to move on to a new project and go back to Europe.
They are now living in Portugal, and have launched Expats Everywhere, helping aspiring expats make the move.
Recommendations:
☕ SO coffee roasters
☕ Negra Café
O Buraco restaurant
Brasa...
Meet Elena: how to learn languages with a method
Meet Elena,
In her late teens she left Russia for a few months exchange in the US and hated it! But having met the love of her life there, she took it upon herself to go back and go to college there. Fast forward 18 years later she has settled there, overcome all the challenges and now moved to France with her family. This new move came with it's own challenges such as language, culture and of course a new way of life.
On her 5th language now Elena shares her foolproof method...
Meet Terry: Expat adventures in Africa
Meet Terry,
Who initially moved abroad to understand her ancestors past, she fell in love with travelling and followed her husband throughout his postings in Africa in the midst of the AIDS pandemic.
In this episode, she shares:
What life in Africa was like in the 90s
How she adapted to the different cultures and made friends
Life with young children abroad
The many adventures and lessons life abroad has taught her
You can find more of her stories...
Meet Jessica: building and maintaining relationships as an expat
Meet Jessica,
Life and career coach, Jessica is an expat living in Dubaï. After several years spent in Spain, in the hospitality industry, she met her now husband and moved to Dubaï together.
In this episode she shares
- the decision process to move to Dubaï with her partner, how this was a joint and timely decision that served both of them
- how to maintain and nurture long distance relationships with loved ones
- how to network in Dubaï
Her recom...
Meet Carlos: battling depression with a new life in Germany
Meet Carlos Baker,
Artist, and author, he shares his atypical life starting with a life changing childhood. We then move on to his struggle with depression and how moving to Germany with his wife and children was the change he needed. With this move came a new lifestyle, as he became a stay at home dad looking after his 4 four children.
In the small town of Minden and surroundings, he recommends:
- Paradiso italian restaurant 🍝
- Schafers brot bakery for bread rolls 🍞
And...
Meet Lucy: making her way to Canada
Meet Lucy Jeon,
Korean young woman, expat podcaster and founder of HeyGlobally. Early on, she knew deep down she wanted to live in North America, Korea was just too small and traditional for her.
In this episode learn how she worked her way over to Canada, where she now feels "comfortable" as she says.
Listen as we explore:
- Culture shock even though you move to a nearby country
- How strangely you can feel less lonely alone abroad then in your home country
...
Meet Robert: a 70s' nomad settles for life in Japan
Meet Robert Norris,
A conscientious Vietnam war objector and author of The Good Lord Willing and the Creek Don't Rise: Pentimento Memories of Mom and Me.
In this episode he shares the stories of his travels around Europe and the world, roadtripping from France to Iran, until he decides to settle in Japan where he moves his way up from a simple teaching job on a student Visa to full-time dean and eventually retired with a pension in a small city close to Fukuoka.
His recommendations for J...
Meet Ann Marie: giving back in San Miguel de Allende
Meet Ann Marie,
American expat living in San Miguel de Allende, Ann Marie left on a sabbatical to test living there with her husband, years later they are still there living their dream among the artistic community.
Very she quickly she got involved in the local community helping build houses with Casita Linda and then launching Mano Amiga to empower women through microloans for their small businesses.
Recently she wrote a novel The broken hummingbird the story of an american woman moving abroad to fix her marriage and...
Meet the Lovers: expats go dating
Meet the lovers,
In this special episode, we talk about love ❤️ and dating abroad. I interviewed 3 expats Laurie, David and Sangra at a Pitch Dating event in Paris, and they shared their dating stories;
1. Laurie, founder of 💕 Pitch Dating tells us about this fun concept of meeting new people and what it was like dating Swedes in London
2. David tells us about the 👻 scary dating world in Paris with mixed lines and the importance the friend circle plays when it comes to dating a REAL Parisian
3. Sadra shar...
Meet Philippe & Anne-Mathilde: Couple in Miami
Meet Philippe & Anne-Mathilde,
In this episode the french couple shares their surprises, challenges, discoveries and adventures along their first expat adventure in Miami. We explore what each other's expectations with this trip was as well as their own motivations to take the leap.
Both also share their discovery of the latin culture and recommendations:
- 🍸 bar: Botanico gin in Coconut grove
- 🐟 restaurant Aromas del Peru for ceviche and https://bullagastrobar.com/Bulla gastrobar for spanish tapas
- Winwood district upcoming neighborhood
- Key B...
Meet Nicole: music in Malagà
Meet Nicole,
An american young woman living in Malaga, Spain for the past few years. In this episode, she shares her love for latin culture and how she improved her spanish and adjusted to the slow-paced life, but also the story behind the local traditional music Verdiales: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1mOsB1AXwo&list=RDQMAFekszLRTH4&start_radio=1
Her recommendations:
La Tranca : bar with old records
El Pimpi : one of the oldest wine bars, now co-owned by Antonio Banderas
<...Meet Mike: expat taxes
Meet Mike,
Former expat, he has lived across the globe, and now back in Michigan is CEO of Greenback Expat Tax Services.
In this special episode, he shares his experience abroad and the results of the recent 2023 Expat Trends Survey built by Greenback. The survey, conducted among over 3,200 US expats across 122 countries, provides invaluable insights into the lives and sentiments of the growing expat community.
From revealing that 1 in 5 US expats are seriously considering or planning to renounce their US citizenship due to tax complexities and perceived governmental hostility to exploring t...
Meet Laurel: finding her place through the library volunteers
Meet Laurel,
Childrens author now based in Germany for over 10 years, she shares her arrival in the small city of Bonn and how she made her place in this little town by taking part in the things she loves: books and gardening.
Indeed she joined the library as a volunteer and very quickly became a part of the community, same by joining the shared gardens and growing her vegetables she has been able to share with experiences with both the locals and migrants of the town.
Her r...
