Your Bestie Abroad

Dieyun

Overwhelmed by the life abroad that you dreamed of? Feeling isolated in a foreign culture? Wondering what you did wrong that your expat life doesn't look like the ones on Insta? Well, I hear you, I was you, and I am you! I'm Dieyun, an 11-year expat from Beijing finishing her PhD in the U.S. Beyond credit score, visa, academics, and job search, living abroad is about the human experience of integrating a evolving identity, realigning values, and strengthening our alliance with self. This podcast is made for you, and my 17-year-old self, to HUMAN better and belong authentically across borders.

  1. 09/22/2022

    12. Fostering Meaningful Friendships and Know When You've Found One with Sydney R

    The quality and meaning of friendship has been the biggest question I’ve been reflecting upon during my recovery after my recent car accident. How do we hold different cultural expectations of friendship? How to foster meaningful friendships that are beyond words and surface-level celebrations but show up with actions and aligned love? What are some important markers we should be more mindful of to find and focus on true friendships? I discussed these questions with my special guest Sydney R, a first-generation American from an immigrant household, where she experienced and navigated through delicate and different cultural experiences and values. We found four foundational markers of true friendships 1. True friends normalize asking for help and don’t make you feel inadequate when you need support. 2. True friends follow through with their words with actions. 3. True friends help us process jealousy and support us through it instead of policing our emotions. 4. True friends celebrate our wins and never see us as a threat. What are your true friendship markers? Are you struggling with calling in more aligned friendships? I’d love to hear from you—DM or connect with me on Tiktok and Instagram @yourbestieabroad. If you enjoy this episode, I’d so appreciate it if you could leave me a five-star review and feedback. You can connect with Sydney @brujitasydnoire and @earth_is_ghetto_ podcast.

  2. 08/25/2022

    10. Vicky/Yang Zhou: Through Her Eyes From China to Canada--Identity, Racism, and Finding Pride as a Chinese Woman Abroad

    "Can I trust what Chinese say about China?" "Is there freedom of speech in China?" "Is China as bad as what the media says?" Are these some of the questions in your head when you hear the word "China?" Do you want to know more about what China is like beyond the media coverage? Welcome to this episode with Vicky Zhou, one of my favorite creators on Tiktok and the author of Through Her Eyes: Exploring the World While Being Asian. As we both are Chinese woman living, studying, and working abroad, we shared our biggest challenges and joys about living abroad, as well as areas we hope our motherland can improve and the human experiences of growing up Chinese that we want the world to know. Follow Vicky @vicky_zzzzzzz on Tiktok and Instagram, and get a copy of her book Through Her Eyes: Exploring the World While Being Asian on Amazon.  I strive to create content that encourages you to practice courage and authenticity to belong truthfully wherever you are. If you enjoy this episode, I’d so appreciate it if you could leave me a five-star review and feedback. Take it to social media @yourbestieabroad on Instagram and Tiktok so I can thank you personally, and join my free Telegram community pinned on my Tiktok so we can support each other on our journey home. Remember border is only where our expansion begins and bond never ends. Celebrate yourself until we meet in the next one!

About

Overwhelmed by the life abroad that you dreamed of? Feeling isolated in a foreign culture? Wondering what you did wrong that your expat life doesn't look like the ones on Insta? Well, I hear you, I was you, and I am you! I'm Dieyun, an 11-year expat from Beijing finishing her PhD in the U.S. Beyond credit score, visa, academics, and job search, living abroad is about the human experience of integrating a evolving identity, realigning values, and strengthening our alliance with self. This podcast is made for you, and my 17-year-old self, to HUMAN better and belong authentically across borders.