Nicole Webb: The Joys and Difficulties of Expat Life

Send us a message!My guest today is Nicole Webb.Nicole is a journalist, writer, and speaker.  She has spent more than 20 years in Australian television as a reporter, producer and presenter.  She’s also a spouse who has moved abroad to support her partner in his career… sometimes known a trailing spouse, although I don’t love that term, being one myself!I first connected with Nicole through FB when someone learned about my podcast and said – you should talk to Nicole!  I reached out and Nicole kindly was open to connecting with a total stranger on another continent.  In our first conversation, however, we learned of many parallels in our life as expats, trailing spouses, professionals needing to reinvent ourselves repeatedly, and adventurers.Nicole and her husband moved from Australia to Hong Kong for their first overseas assignment in 2010, while She was pregnant with their daughter.  The next move was even more challenging when in 2014 they went to Xi’an China, a city of 9 million people that is one of the oldest and most revered cities in China but where very few westerners lived and very little English was spoken.  Nicole captures her journey in her memoir, China Blonde.  She writes in a beautiful, personal way with great humor – a must for surviving some of the expat challenges.  Nicole also blogs at Mint Mocha Musings and you can learn more about her adventures there.  I highly recommend Nicole’s book and her blogs and have included links in the show notes.Thank you, Nicole, for sharing with us today and also for capturing your experiences – both joyful and painful – in your book.  It’s an insightful glimpse into life as an expat as well as into the culture of China.  Connect with Nicole:WebsiteMemoir: China BlondeMint Mocha Musings Blogwww.makelifelessdifficult.comSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra