E053 - Being Present: Embracing the Experience

Summary: Aleksandra shares her experiences living abroad, starting from her childhood move to the US and her travels across various countries. She discusses the challenges of obtaining visas, the decision to sell everything and live a nomadic life, and the importance of being present and enjoying the experiences. She talks about her impressions of different countries, including Japan, South Korea, China, North Korea, and Malaysia. Aleksandra emphasizes the need to form one's own opinions about a country and not rely on stereotypes or preconceived notions. In this conversation, Aleksandra shares his incredible journey of living abroad and traveling to various countries. He talks about his experiences in North Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Moldova, and Spain. James emphasizes the importance of being present, letting go of expectations, and embracing different cultures. He also discusses the benefits of house sitting and provides advice for those considering a similar lifestyle. Aleksandra is a life transformer and mentor, helping others through mindset shifts and personal transformations. Find the amazing literature Aleksandra has produced about her travels here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=sasha+borya And go listen to Aleksandra Fayermans podcast "Teach a man to think" - https://open.spotify.com/show/6RBmguRAMopo82hqzFP1j0?si=cfb1756cb16346c8 Takeaways: Living abroad can be a transformative experience that allows for personal growth and self-discovery. It is important to form one's own opinions about a country and not rely on stereotypes or preconceived notions. Obtaining visas can be a challenging process, but it is possible to navigate through it with research and planning. Being present and enjoying the experiences is more important than focusing on work or other obligations. Exploring supermarkets and trying local foods can be a fascinating way to immerse oneself in a new culture. Language barriers can be overcome through gestures, smiles, and a willingness to communicate. Every country has its own unique qualities and it is important to approach each one with an open mind and curiosity. Be present and let go of expectations when living abroad and traveling Embrace different cultures and understand that what may seem strange or different is just a part of their culture Consider house sitting as a way to travel and experience different places Sound Bites: "I was feeling really unchallenged, unfulfilled, and kind of everything I've been dealing with my whole life just kind of came crashing down" "We took the risk and actually like made the step first before we got the blessing" "I don't know what's in Japan. I don't eat sushi. I don't eat ramen. I don't watch anime. Like it didn't really speak to me" "We loved Malaysia so much, even being there during monsoon season." "There's some aspect that is just so liberating when you're in a place like that." Connect with Us: Website: https://www.tallmantravels.co.uk/the-expat-pod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089327439022 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.expat.pod/ X: https://twitter.com/ExpatPod LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-expat-pod/ Subscribe, Rate, and Review: If you enjoyed this episode of The Expat Pod, please subscribe, rate, and leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners like you and continue to deliver valuable content on life as an expat. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:24 Section 1: Getting There 23:59 Section 2: Being There 44:31 Choosing a Flight and Unexpected Changes 45:29 Embracing Malaysia During Monsoon Season 48:19 The Liberating Experience of Cambodia 52:02 Dubai: A Unique Middle Eastern City 58:29 Believing in the Journey and Trusting the Process 01:21:08 Letting Go of Expectations and Embracing Different Cultures 01:27:18 Celebrating Diversity and Finding Your Purpose