3.5 - Thriving as an Expat: Real Stories and Tips for Life Abroad

Welcome back to season three of G+T Conversations! We are your hosts, Gwenda + Tatjana, and in this episode, we speak about all things Expat Life. Follow G+T Conversations on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@GTconversations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and join the conversation.

G+T Catch-up:

• Tatjana and her family re-visited Dubai (the city she met her husband, and one of her expat locations).
• Gwenda celebrated her company's 4th birthday on the day of recording (06 Nov).

Some of the things we mentioned in this episode:

• Expats vs Migrants: Expats move to a different country other than their home country for a short and specific time for a job, education, etc. with the plan to return to their home country after the time period (usually 2-3 years). Migrants move to a different country on a permanent basis and make the new country their "home country".
• Globally, there are approximately 870 million expats
• Tatjana's Expat stints: Netherlands, Switzerland, UK, Dubai, India
• Gwenda's Expat stints: Venezuela, Singapore, India
• Don't compare cultures - every culture is different, none is better or worse.
• Different communication styles in different cultures - learn to understand each other.
• Downsides of Expat Life: you are far away from friends and family (especially during holidays and birthdays); homesickness and cultural shock.
• Expat Life is not for everyone - and that's okay!
• Technology makes it so much easier to stay in touch with friends and family.
• ATTITUDE is everything! Be open minded, stay positive, and look at the good side of things!
• Create your own little safe spaces whether that's your home, a favorite cafe, a neighborhood park, etc.
• Stay authentic to who you are and don't lose yourself in the new country/culture.
• Continuing your hobbies or starting new hobbies is a great way to meet new people and make local friends.
• Join expat communities such as ACIW, Mumbai Connexions, Aadhaar, Bombay Expats, and country specific groups by the Consulates.
• Consider talking your expat transition through with a life coach or therapist to help you during this phase of your life.

Follow G+T Conversations on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@GTconversations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can also connect with us on our personal accounts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gwendaschobert⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@craving_expat_life⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Tune in every Friday for a new episode.

* G+T Conversations is created using Spotify for Podcasters. The music is Motivating Indie Rock (30s) by UNIVERSFIELD (https://freesound.org/s/755863/, License: Attribution 4.0) and Fifties Stomp Clap Loop 115BPM.wav by waggstar (https://freesound.org/s/698782/, License: Creative Commons 0).