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).