Leaving Home with a Plastic Bag: A Story of Identity, Survival & Reinvention with Tanja Podvrsan

In this episode of Stories Beyond Borders, I sit down with Tanja Podvrsan, a cross-cultural trainer and coach whose life journey spans Slovenia, the United States, and now France.Tanja’s story begins in Slovenia, where, as a young girl, she would look up at the sky and dream of a life beyond what felt familiar. That dream turned into reality most unexpectedly, as she left her home with nothing but a plastic bag, a book, and a doll, when she immigrated to the United States as a teenager.But starting over wasn’t easy. Navigating a new culture came with challenges, including bullying and being labeled as “different.” At home, she held onto her Slovenian identity, while outside, she learned to adapt, code-switch, and survive in an environment that didn’t always understand her.Her journey didn’t stop there. Years later, life took her to France—another culture, another transition, and another set of challenges. What was meant to be temporary became a new chapter filled with unexpected difficulties, especially when it came to integration and finding her place once again.Through exposure to multiple nationalities and languages, Tanja shares how communication goes far beyond words—each language carrying its own etiquette, nuance, and identity.Today, she uses her experiences to help others navigate international careers and cross-cultural environments, guiding individuals, teams, and executives through the complexities of working and living across borders.This conversation is about more than moving countries—it’s about identity, resilience, and what it really means to belong.Her message is simple yet powerful: trust yourself, and everything will be all right.🔗 Connect with Tanja:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tpodvrsanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanjapodvrsan/Website: www.tptalks.comEmail: [email protected]