How to Move Abroad

Mistelle Godlewski
  • 5.0 (4)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to How to Move Abroad (because Google is not a plan) — the podcast for Americans who are done “considering it” and ready to actually make the move happen. I’m Mistelle. I’ve moved abroad three times, I don’t have a magic second passport, and I’m not here to sell you a fantasy life on a cobblestone street. We’re talking the stuff that actually decides whether you can move: visas, budgets, timelines, jobs, kids, healthcare, paperwork, and the emotional chaos that shows up the second you try to do this with a partner (or a bank account that’s already tired). If you’ve been doom-googling, panic-saving Reels, and ending every research session with “well… that was horrifying,” you’re in the right place. Because moving abroad isn’t a vibe. It’s a project. And I’m here to help you build a plan that works in your real life.

  1. 12H AGO

    Visa Appointments and Processing Times: How to Plan So You Are Not Screwed Later

    Appointments and processing timelines are the part of moving abroad people avoid until it is too late. In this episode, I break down the difference between document timelines, appointment timelines, processing timelines, and your real life move timeline. I explain why appointments are often the real bottleneck, how to plan backwards so you stop getting surprised, and what to do when you cannot get a slot. I also share my Austria appointment adventure and the lesson it taught me about building buffer time and backup plans. Weekly task included: the Appointment Map. Grab the PreparedAF timeline

    20 min

  2. FEB 16

    Paperwork First: The Documents That Decide Your Moving Abroad Timeline

    In this episode, I break down the documents that control your moving abroad timeline, including passports, certified birth and marriage certificates, background checks, income proof, and when apostilles and translations matter. I also explain the three ways people get delayed (wrong document version, authentication requirements, and expiration windows) and I give you a simple weekly task. Grab PreparedAF to make your document checklist SIMPLE! Follow me on Instagram @iammistelle

    18 min

  3. FEB 9

    DIY vs Pay to Move Abroad: How to Stop Wasting Money and Actually Get Out

    Moving abroad is not expensive in one big way. It is expensive in dozens of small ones. In this episode, I break down what you should DIY, what is worth paying for, and where people waste money out of overwhelm instead of strategy. We talk about how to decide based on risk, timeline, and complexity, which parts of moving abroad are safe to do yourself, and when paying for professional help actually saves you time, money, and stress. I also share common traps like paying for country selection before knowing your visa and buying courses without an action plan. You will leave this episode with a simple pay vs DIY framework and a weekly task to help you stop panic spending and start making real progress toward moving abroad. Free checklist

    24 min

  4. FEB 2

    Proof of Funds Explained: What Counts and How to Plan for It (Without Spiraling)

    Proof of funds isn’t a personal attack... it’s a stability check. In this episode, I explain what proof of funds actually means in plain English, what typically counts as “proof” (income, savings, self-employment, combinations, and sometimes insurance), why the requirements change depending on your visa lane, and how to make a plan if you don’t meet the requirement yet, without turning it into a crisis. What I coverProof of funds, translated into normal human languageThe youth hockey analogy: “Can you cover the season?” (that’s the whole point)What typically counts as proofWhy your visa lane controls what proof-of-funds looks likeWhat to do if you don’t meet it today: the levers you can pull (timeline, lane, documentation, country shortlist, buffer strategy) Follow me on Instagram @IAmMistelle

    18 min

  5. JAN 26

    Pick Your Visa Lane (Before You Pick a Country)

    If you’re choosing a country before you know your visa lane, you’re not planning—you’re sprinting at Platform 9¾ without the Hogwarts letter. In this episode, I break down what a “visa lane” actually is, why it’s the first decision that makes everything else easier, and the most common visa lanes Americans use to move abroad (yes, some don’t require a job offer). What we coverThe Platform 9¾ problem: why “dream country first” keeps you stuckWhat a visa lane is (the legal reason you get to live somewhere)The most common visa lanes Americans use:Work-sponsoredStudentFreelancer/self-employedProof of funds / non-lucrative / financially independentFamily/ancestry/partnerSpecial programs (digital nomad, working holiday, etc.)The biggest mistakes I see:Falling in love with a country before checking eligibilityTreating visas like a personality quizThinking a job offer is the only way“Researching” without producing a shortlistHow to pick a lane without spiraling Free visa checklist

    17 min

  6. JAN 19

    Moving Abroad in 2026? The 47-Tab Spiral Is Why You’re Stuck (Do This Instead)

    Welcome to Season 2... and yes, the podcast has a new name. ABROADly Speaking is now How to Move Abroad. Same show, same feed, same me. I just got tired of pretending we’re here to “chat about life abroad” when what you actually need is a plan that works in real life. In the new format, every episode ends with one weekly task because collecting information isn’t progress, and we're done with 'next year' energy. In this kickoff episode, I’m talking about the thing that keeps most people stuck: the 47-tab spiral. It feels productive, but it’s usually just overwhelm in a trench coat. This week’s task: the One-Page Move. You’ll pick 3 non-negotiables and 3 deal-breakers, and choose one next action to do in the next 7 days. Follow me on Instagram @iammistelle Grab our free checklist.

    13 min

  7. JAN 12

    The Only Packing Guide You Need for Moving Abroad

    If you’ve been pacing around your house trying to figure out what the hell you’re supposed to take with you when you move abroad, this episode is the sanity you need. We’re not talking about “decluttering.” We’re not talking about “sparking joy.” We’re talking about what actually needs to go in the boxes when you move your entire life across an ocean. This is the straight-to-the-point, no-Pinterest, no-fantasy guide to choosing what comes with you, what stays behind, and what you should absolutely stop feeling guilty about letting go. I’m walking you through the real questions, the real logistics, the emotional traps, and the “why did I even pack this” regrets you do NOT need to repeat. If you want a grounded, practical “how to” episode without the pep-talk energy — this is the one. By the end, you’ll know exactly what deserves space in your suitcase… and what’s just taking up space in your life. Find out more about the Departure Lounge here: https://www.mistellegodlewski.com/departure-lounge

    19 min

  8. JAN 5

    The Quiet Truth About Wanting to Move Abroad (And Not Doing It Yet)

    This episode is not a pep talk. It’s not a motivational countdown to midnight. It’s not a “new year, new me” vision-board moment. This is the real conversation most people avoid at the end of the year — the one where you look honestly at your life and admit whether it’s actually working for you. Because the holidays have a way of showing us the truth: who we’ve become, what we’ve outgrown, and what we’re still pretending we’re okay with. And if you’ve been telling yourself, “next year will be different,” for the third, fourth, or tenth year in a row… this episode matters. In this conversation, we talk about: Why the “fresh start” feeling of January is a trap we return to every yearWhy waiting to feel ready is the exact reason nothing changesHow to recognize when you’ve already outgrown your current lifeThe difference between wanting change and deciding to changeThe grief, honesty, and courage involved in becoming someone new No resolutions. No pressure. No performative growth. Just the truth you already feel — finally spoken out loud. If you’ve ever felt the quiet ache of “I can’t do another year like this,” this one is for you. Departure Lounge information: https://www.mistellegodlewski.com/departure-lounge

    12 min
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5
out of 5
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About

Welcome to How to Move Abroad (because Google is not a plan) — the podcast for Americans who are done “considering it” and ready to actually make the move happen. I’m Mistelle. I’ve moved abroad three times, I don’t have a magic second passport, and I’m not here to sell you a fantasy life on a cobblestone street. We’re talking the stuff that actually decides whether you can move: visas, budgets, timelines, jobs, kids, healthcare, paperwork, and the emotional chaos that shows up the second you try to do this with a partner (or a bank account that’s already tired). If you’ve been doom-googling, panic-saving Reels, and ending every research session with “well… that was horrifying,” you’re in the right place. Because moving abroad isn’t a vibe. It’s a project. And I’m here to help you build a plan that works in your real life.

Information

  • Creator
    Mistelle Godlewski
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    How to Move Abroad