Expat Blog - Feel at home abroad
The place for inspirational stories, thoughts, dreams, challenges, tips and tools. You can read here, ask questions and share your own story.
Tackling stereotypes abroad
Tackling stereotypes abroad Blog by Kriti Toshniwal Stereotypes, we have all encountered them. And as expats abroad, we encounter them more openly and perhaps more often. As an Indian woman living abroad, I have encountered several stereotypes. Some of these were...
Expat repatriation: home again?
Expat repatriation: home again? Blog by Iemke Janssen - de Leeuw September, autumn is knocking at our front door. People in The Netherlands are confused and divided. On the one hand people are looking forward to the new season; less hot temperatures, leaves changing...
Staying positive abroad
Staying positive abroad Blog by Natalia Veneziani Moving between countries has tremendously affected my life and many aspects of my being. I no longer could escape from difficulties in my life. Everything I unconsciously was hiding from, was imposed to me. I was...
A leap of faith into the unknown
Moving abroad: a leap of faith into the unknown Guest blog by Nina Huygen During my studies a had lived abroad, and a was sure that one day, I would do so again in my professional life. So when my spouse got the opportunity to go abroad for his job for a few years, I...
Mental tips for preparation
When I and my four year- old son Oliver talk about our move from Holland to Brazil, his eyes start to shine. ‘He digs up memories of those last nights, when we slept in an empty house, no curtains, big matrass on the floor were we slept together, because daddy was...
Five tips to boost your relationship
Five tips to boost your relationship One of the thing I like most about my work as a life coach, is the weekends that I go away with couples for relationship counselling. Don't get me wrong, I am not so cruel that I enjoy other peoples struggles. Those weekends are so...
Indian or Dutch identity?
The identity struggles of an expat by Kriti Toshniwal ‘Do you feel more Indian or Dutch?’ a friend asked me recently. We were a company of six; two Dutch, two Germans, one American and me; blissfully tucking in a hearty meal laced with garlic and turmeric, at a...
Saying farewell at distance
Farewell at distance Last month my aunt passed away. She was very ill and couldn't be treated for cancer anymore. She was such a brave person, carrying her destiny with courage and trust. Even in her final months, when she knew death was waiting for her around the...
What is just being yourself?
Just being yourself How often do you get the advice to: "Just be yourself"? Whether it's a job interview or the first visit to your mother in law, but what is “being yourself” exactly? I'm a different person when I'm at home than when I leave the house. Fortunately,...
Letter to my sister from abroad
Letter to my sister Living abroad also means that you are missing out on much of the life of your loved ones. That also brings with feelings of helplessness. Distance can make you feel unable to help the other. People think that you have a fantastic life abroad:...
Solving problems with ease
Solving problems with ease Yesterday, once again, the coolant drained from my car radiator. Hè hè. I had just got a new one only last week. I had to get the car to the side of the road with an overheated engine. Luckily there was a garage on the corner of the street...
Expat women living an easy life?
Expat women, living an easy life? Expat women are sometimes seen as ladies of leisure and luxury. Is that correct, and how does this judgment affect you? You are mainly looked upon with jealousy from the home country. Beautiful house, successful partner, children go...
We are all open cosmopolitans?
We are all open cosmopolitans? In addition to a coach, I am also, and above all, human. 'That means lying awake again tonight, or eating cookies', I thought with a sigh. The reason is really nothing serious, just messed up by authorities and people around me who are a...