Boarding Call

Drew Portnoy is an American from Colorado whose connection to Germany began as a high school exchange student. He later returned to Germany, where he would go on to build his life. Now based in Berlin, he has spent 25 years in the country, seamlessly adapting to the culture—even performing stand-up comedy in German, a testament to his deep integration and command of the language.

Aaron Arnold is an American from Georgia who relocated to Slovenia and has been based in Ljubljana for the past 18 months. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree at a local university while immersing himself in Slovenian culture and language. Alongside his studies, Aaron also creates YouTube content about his life in Slovenia, sharing his experiences adapting to a new country.

Emmanuel Ventura is originally from the Philippines, where he trained as a nurse before beginning his career abroad. After spending several years working in Saudi Arabia, he eventually relocated to Ireland, where he has now been based for eight years. Alongside his work in healthcare, Emmanuel creates YouTube content about life as a nurse abroad, often interviewing others who share similar international experiences.

Sandra Mora is originally from southern Germany but set out to explore Latin America in search of new experiences. After her first trip to Colombia, she quickly fell in love with the country and made the bold decision to quit her job and relocate there. Sandra has now spent four years in Colombia in total, including the last three years based in Cali.

Tiana Thomson is an American originally from California who moved to France six years ago. Her journey began as an au pair and later evolved into becoming an international student, eventually leading her to establish herself as a full-time resident. Having lived in Nice and now based in Paris, Tiana has experienced multiple sides of French life while adapting to a new culture far from home.

Dylan Stafford is an American from Pennsylvania whose connection to Chile began through an international relationship that had him traveling back and forth between the two countries. That experience eventually led him to spend six months living in Chile, where he immersed himself in the culture and daily life. Although he’s now back in the U.S., Dylan continues to share his appreciation for Chilean culture through the content he creates online.

Billy Peters is an Australian from Melbourne who developed a passion for Spanish and Latin American culture through language learning. That interest eventually led him to travel throughout the region before deciding to settle in Mexico City. Now based there for the past six months, Billy creates content about his life abroad while also teaching English to Latin American learners.

Kamil Kowal, originally from Poland, relocated to the Netherlands six years ago in search of a new place to call home. What began as a short stay eventually turned into a permanent move, and he now calls Amsterdam home. Through his videos, Kamil shares his experiences adapting to Dutch life, exploring cultural differences, and navigating everyday life as a foreigner in the Netherlands.

Amber Barnes is an American from Connecticut who recently relocated to Bogotá, Colombia. After making the move six months ago, she quickly embraced her new life abroad and began documenting the experience online. Through her videos, Amber shares honest reflections on adapting to daily life in Colombia, navigating cultural differences, and discovering what it means to start fresh in a new country.

AK Joel is an Australian from Melbourne who moved to Colombia four years ago after traveling to 48 countries in search of a place to settle. Now based in Medellín, he is a business owner working in real estate, with a focus on the city’s more luxurious neighborhoods. Alongside his Colombian wife, AK has built a new life in Colombia and has integrated into the local culture.

Marcel Kirst is a multicultural content creator born in Germany with Guatemalan heritage. He spent many years living in Guatemala before relocating to the United States, where he has now been based for eight years. Having grown up between cultures and surrounded by people from across Latin America, Marcel brings a unique perspective to his work, creating content that explores cultural differences, traditions, and the diversity that shapes our identities.

Anna Muckerman is an American from Maryland who first came to France as an exchange student to learn the language. What began as a study-abroad experience took a life-changing turn when she met and eventually married a Frenchman. Six years later, Anna has built a life in Nice, France and now proudly calls it home.

Rob D. Willis is a British Strategic Story Producer from Norfolk, England who has spent the past 16 years based in Berlin. He gives storytelling workshops and public-speaking coaching, drawing on his long experience living abroad. Rob also creates content about culture, blending perspectives from his British roots, his life in Germany, and his multicultural marriage with his Brazilian wife.

Brendan and Susie Davis are an American–Chinese couple who run a YouTube channel about life in France as foreigners, sharing practical advice for anyone considering the move. For the past two years, they’ve been based in France, where they also welcomed their daughter. Brendan is a writer, director, producer, and composer, while Susie is a working professional, and together they offer a grounded look at building a new life abroad.

Nya Yeanafehn is a stand-up comedian from New Jersey who relocated to Berlin after touring Europe with comedy gigs. He’s been based in Berlin for two years now, fully immersed in the city’s vibrant comedy scene. Alongside performing, Nya creates content about life abroad and hosts the Third Culture Talk podcast, where he explores identity, humor, and culture.

Maddie Lucas is an Australian creator from Adelaide, whose life took an unexpected turn after meeting the man who would later become her husband — a half-Uruguayan with deep roots in Latin America. What started as a cross-cultural relationship eventually brought her all the way to Uruguay, where she’s been based for the past six years. Maddie now makes YouTube videos about life abroad, the Spanish language, and her experiences adapting to Uruguay as an Australian.

Stepan Bogatyrev is a YouTuber and cinematographer from Saint Petersburg, Russia. After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, he made the difficult decision to leave his home country and start anew in France. Now based there with his wife for over a year, Stepan continues to pursue his passion for filmmaking, creating visually striking content that reflects his journey and his experience rebuilding life abroad.

Jared Hartmann is a Canadian who, after traveling to a number of countries, became fascinated by the stories of those who choose to build lives far from where they were born. This curiosity led him to create the Boarding Call Podcast, a show dedicated to conversations about culture shock, identity, and the process of embracing new ways of life. Now reflecting on the first year of hosting the podcast, Jared shares what he’s learned from these international stories and how the experience has reshaped his own understanding of the world.

Liam Dean is a British content creator from England who moved to Chile after meeting a Chilean woman who would later become his wife. What started as a cross-cultural love story turned into a brand-new life abroad. For the past seven years, Liam has been living in Santiago with his wife and their son, where he streams video games and creates videos about his experiences adapting to life in Chile as a Brit.

Luardo Gamero is a Mexican content creator and podcast host who moved to Europe in his twenties in search of new experiences. What began as an adventure abroad led him to Germany, where he met his future wife and built a new life. For the past 13 years, he has called Berlin home. Luardo is the host of the Guten Tag and Berlin & Elsewhere podcasts, which talk about life in Germany, both in English and Spanish.

Conor Mangan, originally from Cork, Ireland, moved to Canada 12 years ago. His career as a professional rugby and football player took him across both Canada and the United States before he eventually made Toronto his home. Today, he works as a real estate agent, bringing the same drive and adaptability that defined his athletic years to his life and career in Canada.

Paul Strikwerda is originally from the Netherlands but moved to the United States 25 years ago, eventually settling in Vermont. Over the years, he has built a career as a professional voice actor, and has also been making content online. Having spent so much of his life in the U.S. gives this Dutchman a unique perspective on both countries.

David Wen is from California who moved to the Netherlands to pursue his Master’s degree. What began as a study abroad experience grew into seven years of living in the country, where he fully immersed himself in Dutch culture and daily life. While in the Netherlands, David also began creating YouTube videos about Dutch culture and life in Europe.

Josh Collins was born in the United States but moved to Okinawa, Japan, when he was in sixth grade. He spent nearly a decade growing up there, navigating life as a third culture kid and balancing both American and Japanese influences. Fluent in the language and deeply connected to the culture, Japan still feels like home to him even though he now resides in the U.S.

Tait Lawton is a Canadian from Edmonton who has maintained a deep connection with China for over 20 years. Altogether, he has spent a decade living in Nanjing, where he met his wife, achieved fluency in Mandarin, and even started his own business. Today, Tait runs a marketing agency based in China while also creating content in both Mandarin and English that covers current events, pop culture, and language. 

Cole Fogle is a Canadian from Toronto who first moved to Taiwan nearly 26 years ago. Over the years, he went back and forth between Canada and Taiwan in search of a place to call home, eventually settling in Taiwan, where he built a life with his wife and their two children. Cole creates content about daily life in Taiwan, often featuring interviews with other foreigners who have also made the island their home.

Nick Pilgrim is a Russian-Ukrainian musician and content creator who fled Ukraine at the onset of the war. Holding dual citizenship between two countries in conflict, he faced immense challenges navigating borders and leaving Russia during a time of heightened political tension. Two years ago, he finally began a new chapter in Canada and now calls Edmonton, Alberta  home.

Fabien, originally from Marseille, France, has lived in Denmark for the past nine years, while Anastasia, from Saint Petersburg, Russia, has called Denmark home for seven. Together, they are based in Copenhagen, where they are raising their two children in a multilingual environment. Drawing on their own experiences of navigating life abroad, they create content about raising kids in a foreign country, language learning, and overcoming cultural differences.

Jonny Arnott is a Canadian traveler and content creator from Ottawa who has visited 34 countries. After an intensive backpacking trip, he moved to Amsterdam on a working-holiday visa, where he lived for a year. Drawing from his wide-ranging travel experiences across the globe, Jonny creates content that offers a window into the cultures, food, and adventures that have shaped his journey.

Alex is a Russian content creator who has spent the past 11 years living in Taiwan. Based in Tainan, he creates insightful and engaging content that often features fellow foreigners navigating life on the island. From food and festivals to language and local customs, Alex offers a unique perspective on Taiwanese culture—one shaped by being both an outsider and long-term resident.

Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Fernando Tábora has spent the last 10 years adapting to life in Munich, Germany. Through his entertaining content, he explores the contrasts between Latin American and German culture, offering sharp commentary on everyday life, identity, and what it really means to adapt to a new country.

Alysa is a content creator with a multicultural background and a lifelong connection to China. Born to an American father and Polish mother, she moved to Guangzhou in 1999 at the age of four and has called it home ever since. Her unique upbringing shaped her perspective on culture, belonging, and identity. Through her content, Alysa explores what it means to grow up between worlds and shares thoughtful reflections on culture, language, and what it's like to be seen as an outsider in the only country she’s ever truly known.

Molli Sébrier is an American writer, and content creator who spent nearly a decade living in France. Her journey began in 2014 as an au pair, but a desire for deeper integration led her to pursue intensive language studies and a university degree in French literature. After years of navigating visas, cultural nuances, and life in Paris, Molli fully integrated into French society. She’s now back in the U.S., where she shares insights on language, identity, and her experience abroad through engaging social media content.

Marcos Wolf is a content creator from Canada with German and Argentinian heritage. Motivated by a desire to explore his roots, Marcos traveled to Argentina—and quickly fell in love with the culture. What started as a visit became a life-changing experience, inspiring him to produce informative content about Argentinian life, culture, and identity through the lens of someone both foreign and familiar.

Nick is a content creator and comedian from California, who has called Japan home for the past 18 years. What began as a fascination with Japanese culture eventually led to a permanent move—and a remarkable career in comedy. Nick has spent most of his time in Japan performing as a manzai comedian, mastering the language and immersing himself fully in the culture.

Chad Kubanoff is a professionally trained chef originally from the United States. Drawn to Southeast Asia early in his career, Chad made the bold decision to relocate to Vietnam, where he has lived for 9 years. From running cooking classes and restaurants to producing thoughtful videos about Vietnamese cuisine and culture, Chad has carved out a unique niche at the intersection of food, travel, and cross-cultural connection.

Raul is a Venezuelan exporter, musician, and content creator based in Shenzhen, China. Nearly two years ago, he made the move to China in search of new professional and personal opportunities. By day, he works in international trade, and by night, he channels his passion for music and storytelling into digital content. Through his videos, Raul documents everyday life in China from a foreigner's perspective, along with his ongoing journey to learn Mandarin. 

Samuel is a Swedish content creator and entrepreneur based in Mérida, Mexico. After meeting his girlfriend and visiting her hometown, Samuel fell in love with the country and made the bold decision to relocate to Mexico permanently. Through his content, he shares cultural insights, travel tips, and stories of daily life as a foreigner integrating into Mexican society.

Conor is an American traveler and content creator with a deep appreciation for Thailand. Over the past nine years, he has visited the country multiple times, developing a strong connection to its culture, people, cuisine, and language. His passion eventually led him to relocate to Bangkok, where he spent eight months immersing himself in daily life and learning to speak conversational Thai.

Eric con C, originally from Mexico, moved to Canada with his girlfriend in search of new opportunities. He is now based in Toronto, where he has lived for the past six years. Eric is the host of the podcast Chingoneando, a show in which he engages in conversations with guests from diverse backgrounds, all with the aim of expanding his understanding of the world.

Donnie is an American content creator and co-founder of the YouTube channel Passport Two. In 2018, he and his wife Aubrey left their jobs to travel full-time, eventually settling in southern Germany. Through their videos, Donnie shares humorous and insightful takes on daily life and cultural differences between the U.S. and Germany.

Paulina de los Santos, a native Texan and host of The Pod Abroad podcast, discovered an alternative way of life in Europe after completing her Master’s program abroad. The experience inspired her to permanently relocate to Munich, Germany, where she has lived for the past nine years.

Tomasz Jakub Kusienicki is a software engineer from Poland who relocated to Vienna, Austria, together with his family in 2020. Captivated by the charm and character of the city, Tomasz soon developed a deep appreciation for its culture, lifestyle, and vibrant atmosphere and began creating content that explores various aspects of life in Vienna. His work touches on cultural differences, travel tips and restaurant recommendations, among other topics. 

Tristan Martin is a content creator from the U.S. Over the past five years, he’s gone on numerous journeys through Latin America, with Uruguay capturing most of his attention. After spending many months in the country, he’s deeply immersed himself in the local culture and picked up fluent Spanish along the way. He’s now based in Montevideo, where he plans to settle for the next 18 months.

Jen and Stevo are a couple from California who have been living and traveling abroad since 2011. They have fully embraced the digital nomad lifestyle, working remotely as they explore the world. Their YouTube channel highlights their travel adventures, offers insights into remote living, and shares practical tips for those interested in long-term travel. Two of their most significant journeys were to China in 2011 and Cambodia in 2015, where they spent three years immersing themselves in the local culture.

Michy Herzog is a videographer and photographer from Munich, Germany. His work has taken him extensively throughout Latin America, where he has become fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese. After discovering the beauty of Brazil in 2015, Michy chose to make Rio de Janeiro his home. He is currently in the process of obtaining permanent residency in Brazil.

Grace Robinson, known online as Lukgate, is a British entrepreneur and content creator based in London. She first visited Thailand at the age of 18 and quickly fell in love with the country, its people, and its language. She went on to study Thai and Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Leeds and has been speaking Thai for 17 years.

Stas Konstantinov is a Moldovan-born content creator whose passion for cultural exploration has shaped his online presence. Drawn to Latin America, he relocated to Colombia, where he has lived for the past 12 years. On his YouTube channel, Stas shares vlogs in Spanish, documenting his experiences and insights as a foreigner in Colombia.

Mally, known online as Mobile Mally, is a British content creator. His fascination with Japanese culture began nearly a decade ago when he discovered the world of anime. This passion led him to immerse himself in the language, achieving proficiency in Japanese before ultimately relocating to Tokyo, where he has been based for the past two years.

Jewells Chambers, originally from New York, moved to Iceland nine years ago. Embracing the local culture and language, she has even learned to speak Icelandic. She is the founder of the YouTube channel and podcast All Things Iceland, where she creates informative content for those considering a similar journey.