How to be Local

with Vicky and Nanda

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Society & Culture
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How to Be Local is the podcast for anyone living abroad figuring out what it really means to belong somewhere new. Hosted by Fernanda, a Brazilian living in Canada, and Vicky, a German living in Brazil, we get honest about culture shock, intercultural relationships, language barriers, homesickness, and the emotional side of starting over. New episodes every Monday. Come and be local with us!

3d ago

Moving abroad for your Partner: Is love really enough?

Love may be the reason you move abroad for someone, but is it enough to build a fulfilling life in their country? In this episode, Vicky is joined by Diego to react to the story of an American woman who moved to Belgium for her partner. She loves him, but she is struggling to make friends, works difficult hours, feels isolated by the language barrier, and misses the freedom and community she had before. As these struggles grow, she begins to wonder whether everything she gave up could eventually turn into resentment, especially when her partner continues living a life she doesn’t have the same freedom to enjoy. Vicky and Diego compare her situation with their own experience in Brazil and talk honestly about what moving abroad for a relationship demands from both partners. In this episode, we talk about: Why love cannot replace friendships, independence, purpose, and a life of your ownHow much responsibility the local partner has when someone moves countries for themWhy missing your old life doesn’t mean you regret choosing your partnerHow unacknowledged sacrifices can slowly turn into resentmentMoving abroad may technically be one person’s decision, but adapting to a new country affects the entire relationship. The person who moved still needs to take responsibility for building their own life, while the local partner needs to recognise that love alone cannot make a new country feel like home. Do you think love is enough when someone moves abroad for their partner? And how much responsibility should each person carry? _____________________________________________________ Send us your stories, questions, or episode ideas:Email: how2belocal@gmail.com Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes content, updates, and more conversations about living abroad: Podcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@howtobelocal_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Vicky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avidadavi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Fernanda: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nandafernandes
Jul 13

Left out by Language: What it feels like and how friends and partners can help

In this episode of How to Be Local, we talk about one of the most painful sides of living abroad: feeling left out because of the language barrier. Not just in the obvious situations, like ordering food, making appointments, or making grammar mistakes, but in the moments that hurt more quietly. Sitting at a table with people, everyone is laughing, everyone is talking, the energy is good, but you have no idea what is happening. You are there, but somehow you don’t feel included. We share our own experiences with feeling invisible in group conversations, the pressure of trying to understand everything, and how exhausting it can be to keep up with slang, inside jokes, cultural references, and fast conversations in a language that is not your first. We also talk about why inclusion is not only the responsibility of the person learning but friends, family, and partners also play a huge role in helping someone feel welcomed, seen, and part of the group while they are still learning. We also cover what it feels like when your partner becomes your translator, how heavy that can be for both people, and why in intercultural relationships, support sometimes means being the bridge between two languages, two cultures, and two worlds. If you ever felt left out abroad because you couldn’t fully follow the conversation, this episode is for you. And if you have a friend or partner who is still learning your language, this is your reminder that inclusion can be simple: slow down, explain the context, switch languages for a moment, or just check in. _________________________________________________________ Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes content, updates, and more conversations about living abroad: Podcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@howtobelocal_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Vicky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avidadavi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Fernanda: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nandafernandes
Jul 6

World Cup Abroad: who do you support when you have two countries to root for?

Every four years, the World Cup comes around and suddenly football becomes more than just football. It becomes childhood memories, family traditions, national pride, screaming at the TV, preparing food, wearing your country’s colors, and somehow everyone becomes a coach for a few weeks. In this episode, we talk about what it feels like to experience the World Cup while living abroad. Vicky shares what it was like to experience her first World Cup in Brazil, a country where football is not just a sport, but something people truly live with their whole heart. Nanda shares how it feels to support Brazil from Canada and how different it is when the streets around you don’t stop in the same way. We talk about growing up with World Cup traditions in Brazil and Germany, how football culture looks completely different depending on where you are from, and why watching your country lose can feel even heavier when you are not surrounded by people who understand it in the same way. We also get into the funny and complicated side of international relationships during the World Cup. Who do you support when your home country, your partner’s country, and the country you live in are all connected to your life? And what happens when your country plays against your partner’s country? This episode is about football, yes. But it is also about identity, belonging, culture, and what happens when you have more than one country to root for. _________________________________________________________ Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes content, updates, and more conversations about living abroad: Podcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@howtobelocal_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Vicky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avidadavi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Nanda: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nandafernandes
Jun 29

How to deal with Guilt and FOMO after moving abroad

In this episode of How To Be Local, we talk about one of the most confusing parts of moving abroad: dealing with guilt and FOMO when you are far away from the people you love, even when you know you made the right decision for yourself. Moving abroad can bring so much freedom, growth, love and new opportunities, but it also means missing birthdays, holidays, family milestones and all the little everyday moments you used to be part of. Your parents are getting older, your friends continue their lives, your family celebrates without you, and suddenly you find yourself feeling torn between the life you chose and the people you left behind. We share our own experiences with expat guilt, family distance, FOMO, time zones, missing important moments, and the emotional weight of watching loved ones grow older from far away. We also talk about how distance changes friendships and family relationships, why some connections fade while others become stronger, and how staying in touch looks different when you live abroad. This episode is not about saying that moving abroad is easy. It is about being honest with the mixed feelings that come with it. You can love your new life and still miss your old one. You can be grateful and still feel sad. You can choose yourself without abandoning the people you love. If you are living abroad, thinking about moving abroad, or currently struggling with guilt and FOMO because your family and friends are far away, this episode is for you. If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might need to hear this and leave us a rating to support the podcast. _________________________________________________________ Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes content, updates, and more conversations about living abroad: Podcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@howtobelocal_⁠⁠⁠⁠ Vicky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@avidadavi⁠⁠⁠⁠ Fernanda: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@nandafernandes
Jun 22

Should I Move Abroad? — How to know if it’s the right decision

In this episode of How To Be Local, we talk about some of the questions that might come up when you're deciding whether to move abroad and how to find the answer within yourself. Why do you want to move abroad? Are you building a life that excites you, or are you hoping a new country will fix problems that already exist? We also talk about the realities that come with immigration: building a new support system, adapting to a different culture, finding work, learning new skills, and living far away from family and friends. Some sacrifices are obvious, while others only become clear once you're already there. This episode is for anyone who is dreaming about living abroad, considering a big international move, or feeling stuck between staying where they are and taking a chance on something new. If you've ever found yourself asking, "What if I go?" or "What if I stay?", this episode is for you. __________________________________________________________ Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes content, updates, and more conversations about living abroad: Podcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@howtobelocal_⁠⁠⁠ Vicky: ⁠⁠⁠@avidadavi⁠⁠⁠ Fernanda: ⁠⁠⁠@nandafernandes
Jun 15

Identity Crisis Abroad: have I really changed, or am I finally being myself?

What happens when the biggest change of your life isn't your location, but it's you? In this episode, we talk about the identity shifts that can happen when you leave everything familiar behind. From questioning old beliefs and outgrowing friendships to struggling with uncertainty and discovering new sides of yourself, living abroad can sometimes feel like you're caught between two versions of who you are. Together, we talk about identity, personal growth, and how living abroad has changed the way we see ourselves. We also answer the question of how we feel about ourselves now that we are living abroad, and why we both feel more like our truest and most authentic selves than ever before. Being away from the expectations and labels we grew up with has given us the freedom to simply be who we are. If you've ever felt caught between two worlds, or wondered whether you're still the same person you were before moving abroad, this episode is for you. As always, we'd love to hear your thoughts. Have you changed since moving abroad, or do you feel more like yourself than ever before? Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes content, updates, and more conversations about living abroad: Podcast Instagram: ⁠⁠@howtobelocal_⁠⁠ Vicky: ⁠⁠@avidadavi⁠⁠ Fernanda: ⁠⁠@nandafernandes
Jun 8

What Happens When a Brazilian Falls in Love with a German?

In this episode of How To Be Local, Vicky and Nanda finally hand the microphone over to Diego, Vicky’s Brazilian boyfriend, to hear the other side of their intercultural love story. After two episodes of talking about intercultural relationships from the women’s perspective, Diego joins the conversation to share what it was really like falling in love with a German, navigating cultural differences, communicating across languages, meeting the family, and building a relationship between two very different worlds. From their unexpected first meeting and long-distance relationship to the cultural differences that still make them laugh today, Vicky and Diego share an honest look at what it’s like dating across cultures. They talk about German punctuality versus Brazilian flexibility, family dynamics, communication in a second language, and the small everyday habits that reveal just how different two cultures can be. The episode also explores the challenges of intercultural relationships, moving abroad for love, adapting to a new culture, and the lessons they’ve learned from each other along the way. If you've ever been in an international relationship, dated someone from another culture, or wondered what life is really like in a Brazilian-German relationship, this episode is for you. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with a friend who is living abroad, dating across cultures, or navigating life between two worlds. Your support helps us reach more people and continue sharing real stories about expat life, intercultural relationships, and life abroad. Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes content, updates, and more conversations about living abroad: Podcast Instagram: ⁠@howtobelocal_⁠ Vicky: ⁠@avidadavi⁠ Fernanda: ⁠@nandafernandes
Jun 1

What happens when a Canadian falls in love with a Brazilian

In this episode we're joined by our first-ever guest, Johnny, to hear the other side of the story. After hearing Nanda's perspective in previous episodes, it's time to find out what it was like for a Canadian with Ukrainian roots to fall in love with a Brazilian woman and eventually build a life together. We talk about how they met unexpectedly through work, navigating a relationship during the pandemic, surviving long distance, and the moment Johnny realized this relationship might actually lead to marriage. Along the way, we dive into the realities of intercultural relationships that often stay hidden behind the cute travel photos and romantic social media posts. From learning Portuguese and meeting the family to adapting to different communication styles, cultural habits, and even debates about how to wash vegetables, this conversation is full of funny stories, honest reflections, and the everyday moments that come with loving someone from another culture. We also explore the differences between Brazilian and Canadian culture, public displays of affection, family dynamics, culture shock, life as a foreigner, and why keeping an open mind is one of the most important ingredients in any intercultural relationship. Whether you're in an intercultural relationship yourself, living abroad, navigating long distance, or simply curious about how people from different backgrounds build a life together, this episode is for you. Follow us for more conversations about life abroad, cultural differences, relationships, and finding your place in a new country. Podcast Instagram: @howtobelocal_ Vicky: @avidadavi Fernanda: @nandafernandes Youtube Channel from Nanda & Johnny: @fernandanagringa

How to Be Local is the podcast for anyone living abroad figuring out what it really means to belong somewhere new. Hosted by Fernanda, a Brazilian living in Canada, and Vicky, a German living in Brazil, we get honest about culture shock, intercultural relationships, language barriers, homesickness, and the emotional side of starting over. New episodes every Monday. Come and be local with us!

Creator

with Vicky and Nanda
Years Active

2026
Episodes

15
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© with Vicky and Nanda
Show Website

How to be Local