Expat Focus

Expat Focus: For Anyone Moving Or Living Abroad
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Expat experiences, information and advice for anyone moving or living abroad. Visit Expat Focus at expatfocus.com for more.

  1. -6 h

    Looking After Your Mental Health While Living Abroad

    Co-Founder of My Expat Mind Anna Zhadan joins the Expat Focus Podcast to talk about expat mental health. After leaving Belarus at just nine years old and making many international moves since, Anna knows first-hand the psychological toll that living abroad can take. She channelled that experience into My Expat Mind, a directory built to help expats find therapists who understand what it's really like to start over in a foreign country. In this conversation, she and Carlie unpack the emotional side of expat life — homesickness, loneliness, identity shifts, the FOMO of watching family and friends move on without you, and how moving so often shaped Anna's independence and her sense of home. The pair then dig into the practical side of looking after your mental well-being abroad: how to find a therapist who speaks your language and gets the expat experience, why therapy is for everyday good health and not just crisis moments, and how insurance and reimbursement can vary wildly from country to country. Anna explains how My Expat Mind works as a free directory for clients, and shares a simple packing tip for making any new place feel a little more like home. If you've ever struggled with the hidden emotional challenges of living abroad — or you're considering a move and want to look after your mental health along the way — this episode is for you. #ExpatLife #ExpatMentalHealth #MovingAbroad #ExpatTherapy #LivingAbroad #Homesickness #ExpatFocus 👉 Visit Expat Focus at https://www.expatfocus.com 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:55 Anna's First Big Move 02:37 Defining Home Abroad 05:08 Challenges of Frequent Moves 06:45 Friendships Across Borders 10:06 How My Expat Mind Began 12:06 Common Expat Mental Struggles 13:52 Finding the Right Therapist 16:03 Why Therapy Helps 20:39 Insurance and Reimbursement 21:59 Packing Tip for Feeling at Home 23:17 Where to Find My Expat Mind 23:56 Final Thoughts and Outro 🎥 Video/Transcript – https://www.expatfocus.com/international/podcast/looking-after-your-mental-health-while-living-abroad 📝 Show Notes My Expat Mind – https://myexpatmind.com/ 👉 Follow Expat Focus here: RSS | https://www.expatfocus.com/feed YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ExpatFocus Podcast | https://www.expatfocus.com/podcast LinkedIn Page | https://www.linkedin.com/company/expatfocus LinkedIn Group | https://www.linkedin.com/groups/673267 X | https://x.com/expatfocus Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/expatfocus Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/expatfocus.bsky.social Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/expatfocus TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@expatfocus Mastodon | https://mastodon.social/@expatfocus Website | https://www.expatfocus.com

    25 min

  2. 26 mai

    An American In The UK – The HONEST Truth About Moving Abroad In Your 40s

    Victoria Pearce, the writer behind A Life Away, joins the Expat Focus Podcast to talk about moving abroad after 40. Victoria has lived in the UK twice — once as a young grad student, and again in her 40s with a husband and an 11-year-old in tow. Her story unpacks what it really looks like to uproot a settled life, swap a legal career for a writing one, and rebuild from scratch on the other side of the Atlantic. Victoria is candid about the cons of relocating in your 40s — selling the house, losing the easy school-gate friendships, rebuilding a settled life from very little — and equally honest about the upsides, including the career confidence that makes a midlife move surprisingly workable. She also discusses the practical side: moving an 11-year-old into the UK secondary school system, navigating GCSEs as an American parent, pivoting from practising attorney to content writer, the strange double life of being an American abroad in a politically turbulent moment, citizenship plans, and the pull of ageing parents back home. If you're weighing up a move abroad later in life, supporting a child through an international relocation, or rethinking your career as a trailing spouse, this conversation offers a grounded look at what to expect on the other side. #ExpatLife #LivingInTheUK #MoveToTheUK #USToUK #ExpatOver40 #TrailingSpouse 👉 Visit Expat Focus at https://www.expatfocus.com 00:00 Introducing Victoria 00:34 Why Move Abroad After 40 01:05 Victoria's First UK Move  02:35 Returning Abroad Post Covid 05:09 Cons of Moving in Your 40s 07:45 Confidence and Career 09:21 Decluttering and Moving Logistics 11:48 Moving an 11 Year Old 14:33 Navigating UK School Culture 18:24 Trailing Spouse Career Pivot 21:44 Politics, Identity and Home 27:02 Citizenship and Belonging 28:02 What to Change and What to Love 32:06 Wrap Up 🎥 Video/Transcript – https://www.expatfocus.com/united-kingdom/podcast/an-american-in-the-uk-the-honest-truth-about-moving-abroad-in-your-40s 📝 Show Notes A Life Away – https://alifeaway.com/ 👉 Follow Expat Focus here: RSS | https://www.expatfocus.com/feed YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ExpatFocus Podcast | https://www.expatfocus.com/podcast LinkedIn Page | https://www.linkedin.com/company/expatfocus LinkedIn Group | https://www.linkedin.com/groups/673267 X | https://x.com/expatfocus Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/expatfocus Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/expatfocus.bsky.social Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/expatfocus TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@expatfocus Mastodon | https://mastodon.social/@expatfocus Website | https://www.expatfocus.com

    33 min

  3. 29 avr.

    The Secret To Expat Happiness – Building Friendships Abroad

    Yolanda Reshemah, host of The Places We Call Home Podcast, joins the Expat Focus Podcast to talk about building authentic community when you move abroad. Yolanda's expat journey began at just 10 years old when she moved from the Caribbean to the UK, and she's since lived in France and the USA. She shares how each move shaped her identity — from discovering Parisian culture to navigating reverse culture shock — and why feeling at home starts with knowing yourself. Carlie and Yolanda dig into why shared expat status isn't enough to build lasting friendships, and how Yolanda sought deeper connections through volunteering, classes at Berkeley, and being intentional about what she needs. They also swap stories about cultural quirks in the US, from California's yoga-outfit uniform to the phenomenon of "flaking," and discuss what it really means to thrive rather than just settle in a new country. #ExpatLife #ExpatCommunity #MovingAbroad #LivingInUSA #BuildingCommunity 👉 Visit Expat Focus at https://www.expatfocus.com 00:00 Yolanda's Expat Journey 01:25 Caribbean to UK at 10 02:42 Finding Parisian Community 04:13 Reverse Culture Shock 04:41 Tourist to Local Mindset 05:43 How Early Moves Shape You 08:09 Lessons on Slowing Down 09:41 Starting Her Podcast 12:23 A Process for Belonging 13:47 What Feeds and Anchors You 18:39 Building Lasting Friendships 22:15 Beyond Expat Friend Groups 24:48 US Culture Quirks 29:32 Where Home Is Next 31:19 Find Yolanda Online 32:36 Final Thoughts 🎥 Video/Transcript – https://www.expatfocus.com/international/podcast/the-secret-to-expat-happiness-building-friendships-abroad 📝 Show Notes The Places We Call Home Podcast – https://theplaceswecallhome.com/ 👉 Follow Expat Focus here: RSS | https://www.expatfocus.com/feed YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ExpatFocus Podcast | https://www.expatfocus.com/podcast LinkedIn Page | https://www.linkedin.com/company/expatfocus  LinkedIn Group | https://www.linkedin.com/groups/673267 X | https://x.com/expatfocus Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/expatfocus Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/expatfocus.bsky.social Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/expatfocus TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@expatfocus Mastodon | https://mastodon.social/@expatfocus Website | https://www.expatfocus.com

    33 min

  4. 28 avr.

    How To Really Feel At Home In A New Country – Tips From A Lifestyle Consultant

    Relocation and lifestyle consultant Laura Poggioli joins the Expat Focus Podcast to talk about what it really takes to settle into life abroad. Laura is the founder of La Relocation Group, which operates across Switzerland, Spain, South Africa, and soon Dubai. After relocating more than 108 people around the world in her previous corporate role, she recognised that traditional relocation support was missing something crucial — ongoing lifestyle assistance that goes far beyond the typical checklist of finding a house and a school. From navigating building rules and recycling systems to finding a dog sitter, language classes, or a French-speaking ballet companion, Laura explains how her team helps expats handle the everyday things that can become overwhelming in an unfamiliar environment. Carlie and Laura swap stories about the unwritten rules of apartment living in Europe, the culture shock of adjusting to narrow Swiss mountain roads, and Laura's philosophy of "expat aptitude" — an open mindset that lets you accept a new culture without judging it, while also knowing it's okay to admit a country isn't the right fit and make a Plan B. If you're preparing for a move abroad or already living in a new country and feeling the strain of adjusting, this episode is full of practical perspective on how to find your comfort zone again — and why the small things matter more than you think.  #ExpatLife #Relocation #LivingAbroad #ExpatMindset #CultureShock #MovingAbroad 👉 Visit Expat Focus at https://www.expatfocus.com 00:00 Welcome 01:02 Why Laura Started La Relocation 02:14 Beyond the Checklist Support 05:53 Community and Expat Mindset 08:03 Building Lifestyle Services 13:14 House Rules and Recycling Culture 18:18 Integration and Family Pressure 19:40 Solving Problems and Bureaucracy 22:51 Emotional Support and Referrals 27:25 Keys to Living Well Abroad 30:32 Where to Find La Relocation 31:34 Wrap Up 🎥 Video/Transcript – https://www.expatfocus.com/international/podcast/how-to-really-feel-at-home-in-a-new-country-tips-from-a-lifestyle-consultant 📝 Show Notes La Relocation Group website –http://larelocationgroup.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=expat-focus La Relocation Group Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/larelocationgroup La Relocation Group Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576952125116 La Relocation Group LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/larelocation/ Laura Poggioli LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurapoggiolimaraniello/ 👉 Follow Expat Focus here: RSS | https://www.expatfocus.com/feed YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ExpatFocus Podcast | https://www.expatfocus.com/podcast LinkedIn Page | https://www.linkedin.com/company/expatfocus LinkedIn Group | https://www.linkedin.com/groups/673267 X | https://x.com/expatfocus Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/expatfocus Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/expatfocus.bsky.social Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/expatfocus TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@expatfocus Mastodon | https://mastodon.social/@expatfocus Website | https://www.expatfocus.com

    32 min

  5. 26 mars

    Moving To Portugal? Visas, Costs And A Citizenship Deadline You Need To Know

    Susana Yang, founder and CEO of The Golden Portugal, joins the Expat Focus Podcast to talk about moving to and retiring in Portugal. Originally from Hong Kong, Susana moved to Portugal in 2018 and founded her immigration agency after a frustrating experience with local legal services. She breaks down the three main visa routes — the D7 passive income visa for retirees, the D8 digital nomad visa and the D2 entrepreneurial visa — and explains the income and savings requirements, realistic cost of living, rental market challenges, healthcare access, and why buying property might be a simpler route for some. Susana also dives into Portugal's Golden Visa programme, the step-by-step visa application timeline, and a looming citizenship law change that could double the residency requirement from five to 10 years. Her advice for anyone already in Portugal: apply for citizenship now, even if you haven't hit the five-year mark, because processing times mean the current rules may still apply to your case. If you're considering Portugal for retirement, remote work or simply a better quality of life, this episode is packed with practical guidance on what to expect. #ExpatLife #MoveToPortugal #PortugalExpats #RetireInPortugal #D7Visa #GoldenVisa 👉 Visit Expat Focus at https://www.expatfocus.com 00:00 Portugal Retirement Boom 00:45 Founding The Golden Portugal 02:37 Service Culture Shock 03:38 Why Move to Portugal 04:23 Who Uses Which Visas 04:59 D7 D8 D2 Explained 06:17 D7 Income Requirements 07:39 Realistic Living Costs 09:44 Rent Pressures and Co-Living 11:12 Healthcare for Residents 12:43 Visa Steps and Timelines 15:03 DIY vs Using an Agency 17:13 D7 Permit Timeline 18:27 Citizenship Rule Changes 20:23 Apply Now Strategy 21:58 Renting Reality Check 23:26 Finding Rentals and Fees 25:44 Buying Property Instead 26:57 D7 Stay Requirements 29:37 Golden Visa Explained 31:53 Why Portugal and Wrap Up 🎥 Video/Transcript – https://www.expatfocus.com/portugal/podcast/moving-to-portugal-visas-costs-and-a-citizenship-deadline-you-need-to-know 📝 Show Notes The Golden Portugal – https://www.thegoldenportugal.com/ 👉 Follow Expat Focus here: RSS | https://www.expatfocus.com/feed YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ExpatFocus Podcast | https://www.expatfocus.com/podcast LinkedIn Page | https://www.linkedin.com/company/expatfocus LinkedIn Group | https://www.linkedin.com/groups/673267 X | https://x.com/expatfocus Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/expatfocus Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/expatfocus.bsky.social Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/expatfocus TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@expatfocus Mastodon | https://mastodon.social/@expatfocus Website | https://www.expatfocus.com

    34 min

  6. 26 mars

    US Expats - How To Get Your Money Out Of The USA (And Why You May Not Want To)

    Tom Zachystal, Founder of International Asset Management, joins the Expat Focus Podcast to talk about how US citizens can manage their money when moving abroad. With 25 years of experience advising American expats, Tom breaks down the difference between physically moving money into non-US accounts and simply diversifying out of the US dollar. He covers the challenges of opening overseas investment accounts due to FATCA reporting, why US-based accounts often offer better protections and lower fees, and how currency fluctuations can act like hidden inflation on your retirement spending. The conversation also digs into real estate tax implications, gold and precious metals, ADRs and international ETFs, private equity and interval funds, and the 4% retirement withdrawal rule. Tom shares practical advice on using local banking products to manage currency risk and warns about the pitfalls of collectibles taxation. If you're a US citizen planning a move abroad and wondering what to do with your investments, this episode will help you understand your options — and why sometimes the smartest move is no move at all. #ExpatLife #USExpats #ExpatFinance #MoneyAbroad #InvestingAbroad 👉 Visit Expat Focus at https://www.expatfocus.com 00:00 Moving Money Abroad 01:40 Currency Risk Explained 03:10 What Getting Money Out Means 04:54 Keep Investments in US 07:11 FBAR and FATCA Basics 08:42 Real Estate and Taxes 11:43 Diversifying Beyond Dollars 14:25 Gold Crypto Collectibles 18:44 Local Bank Products 20:11 Retirement Withdrawal Rules 21:20 Private Equity Warnings 24:48 Why US Accounts Can Win 27:02 Where to Find Tom 27:37 Podcast Wrap Up 🎥 Video/Transcript – https://www.expatfocus.com/international/podcast/us-expats-how-to-get-your-money-out-of-the-usa-and-why-you-may-not-want-to 📝 Show Notes IAM Advisors – https://services.expatfocus.com/us-citizens-financial-advice 👉 Follow Expat Focus here: RSS | https://www.expatfocus.com/feed YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ExpatFocus Podcast | https://www.expatfocus.com/podcast LinkedIn Page | https://www.linkedin.com/company/expatfocus LinkedIn Group | https://www.linkedin.com/groups/673267 X | https://x.com/expatfocus Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/expatfocus Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/expatfocus.bsky.social Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/expatfocus TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@expatfocus Mastodon | https://mastodon.social/@expatfocus Website | https://www.expatfocus.com

    28 min

  7. 24 févr.

    Could You Retire In Thailand For Less Than €400 A Month?

    American military nurse Lisa Denmark joins the Expat Focus Podcast to talk about retiring in Chiang Mai, Thailand — and why she has never looked back. After eight years working for the US military in Germany, Lisa faced a visa deadline that forced a decision: return to the States, or start over somewhere new. She chose Thailand, moved sight unseen, and hasn't left since. Lisa shares how she landed on Chiang Mai, what it was really like to arrive during COVID lockdown, and why the city's calm, small-town feel won her over completely. Lisa breaks down the real cost of living — from a three-bedroom house in a gated community for 310 euros a month to a full Thai meal delivered for under a euro — and walks through the visa journey from visa-exempt to education visa to retirement visa. She also gets into the wilder side of expat life: finding rentals through word-of-mouth (and one very memorable connection), the challenges of bringing a 40kg service dog to a country that doesn't recognise service animals, several scooter wrecks, and major surgery covered entirely by her Thai health insurance. If you're considering retiring abroad on a fixed income, this episode is packed with practical insight, honest numbers, and a lot of heart. #ExpatLife #RetireAbroad #LivingInThailand #ChiangMai #ThailandExpats #ExpatFocus 👉 Visit Expat Focus at https://www.expatfocus.com 00:00 Introducing Lisa Denmark 05:29 Arriving in Chiang Mai During Lockdown 06:40 COVID Logistics and Quarantine 07:53 Chiang Mai Cost of Living Breakdown 11:44 Retirement Visa 16:26 Finding Rentals by Word of Mouth 19:04 Bringing a Service Dog to Thailand 21:56 Chiang Mai Expat Scene Today 23:00 Healthcare Insurance and Pharmacies 26:20 Travel Insurance Reality 28:45 Medical Culture Differences 32:41 Scooter Wreck Stories 34:57 Living Without Thai 37:20 Retirement Daily Routine 41:27 Finding Community in Chiang Mai 46:01 Future Plans 🎥 Video/Transcript – https://www.expatfocus.com/thailand/podcast/could-you-retire-in-thailand-for-less-than-400-a-month 👉 Follow Expat Focus here: RSS | https://www.expatfocus.com/feed YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ExpatFocus Podcast | https://www.expatfocus.com/podcast LinkedIn Page | https://www.linkedin.com/company/expatfocus LinkedIn Group | https://www.linkedin.com/groups/673267 X | https://x.com/expatfocus Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/expatfocus Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/expatfocus.bsky.social Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/expatfocus TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@expatfocus Mastodon | https://mastodon.social/@expatfocus Website | https://www.expatfocus.com

    20 min

  8. 17 févr.

    How To Move To Europe On A Student Visa (No Job Required)

    Travis Drews, founder of the Global Citizen Hub, joins the Expat Focus Podcast to discuss an often-overlooked route to moving abroad: student visas. Originally from the US and now based in Berlin, he shares how his own international journey — and a surprising message from family — led him to help others find realistic migration pathways, even without a job offer, investment capital, or a partner overseas. He explains why student visas are among the most accessible relocation options, challenging misconceptions about age limits, work restrictions, and cost. Travis highlights the wide range of scholarships across Europe, including programs with free or low-cost tuition, and outlines where students can work part-time while studying. He also clarifies which student visas count toward permanent residency and which serve as stepping stones, stressing the need to plan long term from the outset. For those considering a career change or seeking a foothold in Europe, the episode offers practical guidance on selecting programs, meeting language requirements, and using education as a pathway to a new life abroad. #expatlifestyle #StudentVisa #MoveToEurope #StudyAbroad #EuropeExpats #ExpatFocus 👉 Visit Expat Focus at https://www.expatfocus.com 00:00 Meet Travis Drews: An American in Berlin 03:01 Introducing Global Citizen Hub 05:31 Student Visas: A Pathway to Moving Abroad 09:49 Challenges and Realities of Student Visas 15:36 Scholarships and Affordable Education in Europe 24:05 Finding the Right Study Program 28:01 Conclusion and Contact Information 🎥 Video/Transcript – https://www.expatfocus.com/podcast/how-to-move-to-europe-on-a-student-visa-no-job-required 📝 Show Notes Global Citizen Hub – https://www.theglobalcitizenhub.com 👉 Follow Expat Focus here: RSS | https://www.expatfocus.com/feed YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ExpatFocus Podcast | https://www.expatfocus.com/podcast LinkedIn Page | https://www.linkedin.com/company/expatfocus LinkedIn Group | https://www.linkedin.com/groups/673267 X | https://x.com/expatfocus Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/expatfocus Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/expatfocus.bsky.social Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/expatfocus TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@expatfocus Mastodon | https://mastodon.social/@expatfocus Website | https://www.expatfocus.com

    31 min
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À propos

Expat experiences, information and advice for anyone moving or living abroad. Visit Expat Focus at expatfocus.com for more.

Informations

  • Création
    Expat Focus: For Anyone Moving Or Living Abroad
  • Années d’activité
    2010 - 2026
  • Épisodes
    168
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © Expat Focus 2024
  • Site web de l’émission
    Expat Focus

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