Navigate Across Borders

Dotty
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Welcome to Navigate Across Borders! If you are an expat, a global professional, or simply someone fascinated by international living, you are in the right place.I’m Dotty, a French expat and global educator who has lived across Asia for over 20 years. I’m currently based in Bangalore, India.This channel explores the real-life stories of people who live and work outside of their country. But it’s also about locals who are willing to share their cultural stories.

  1. 2d ago

    21 - Living Abroad vs. Surviving It - A German Entrepreneur in India

    She's founded three companies on two continents, and still won't leave the house without her emergency snack kit. In this episode of Navigate Across Borders, I virtually sat down with Anna Kuhnt, a German entrepreneur based in Bangalore for over six years.  Anna talks about building Quadrigo, her German-language learning centre and about co-founding a business network connecting expats in Bangalore with Indian professionals. The conversation covers her culture shocks and life in different countries. Anna's network organisation If you've ever felt like a slightly different person depending on the language you're speaking, this one's for you. Subscribe for more on identity, migration, and building a life across borders. Chapter 00:00 - Introduction & Welcome 01:22 - Icebreaker Questions: Cultural Quirks & Food 03:51 - Travel Essentials & Commuting in Bangalore 05:13 - What Drives an Expat: Motivation & Mindset 07:24 - Building the Expat Business Council 11:06 - Community Support, Events & Expat Services 13:44 - Quadrigo: German Language & Cultural Learning 16:43 - Navigating Cultural Differences: Germany vs. India 24:06 - Experiencing Culture Shock & Adapting Abroad 29:02 - How Speaking Multiple Languages Changes You 30:52 - Closing Thoughts: Staying Curious & Living Abroad Access the other podcast episodes of Navigate Across Borders on YouTube and on your favorite platforms here If you are an expat, a global professional, or simply someone fascinated by international living, you are in the right place. This podcast explores the real-life stories of people who live and work outside of their country. But it’s also about locals who are willing to share their cultural stories. Who am I? I'm a French expat and international educator. I've lived and worked in Asia since 2004, and I'm based in Bangalore. EBC: https://www.expatbusinesscouncil.org/ Learning center Quadrigo: https://www.quadrigo.in/ Support the show

    21 - Living Abroad vs. Surviving It - A German Entrepreneur in India

  2. Jul 29

    20 - From Bangalore to Madrid: How To Adapt To A New Culture

    In this episode I chatted with Sangeetha, a Spanish teacher from India who speaks five languages. She shares her captivating journey from Bangalore to Madrid. She had to figure out how to survive in a meat-heavy culinary culture as a vegetarian. Ultimately, she learned how to understand Spanish traditions and culture.  Beyond her European adventures, Sangeetha helps us decode the contrasts between North and South India. We also uncover essential etiquette for working in India. Chapters 00:00 – The weirdest food combinations 04:31 – Leaving the corporate world for teaching Spanish 08:05 – Culture shock in Madrid 16:14 – How speaking five languages changes your personality 20:45 – The deep cultural contrasts between North and South India 32:24 – The unspoken rules of Indian business etiquette 39:42 – Conclusion and final thoughts Access the other podcast episodes of Navigate Across Borders on YouTube and on your favorite platforms here If you are an expat, a global professional, or simply someone fascinated by international living, you are in the right place. This podcast explores the real-life stories of people who live and work outside of their country. But it’s also about locals who are willing to share their cultural stories. Who am I? I'm a French expat and international educator. I've lived and worked in Asia since 2004, and I'm based in Bangalore. Support the show

    20 - From Bangalore to Madrid: How To Adapt To A New Culture

  3. Jun 15

    19 - India, USA and The UK: Lessons From 30 Years of Living Across Cultures

    After spending decades living in India, the United States, and the United Kingdom, Kusum Mongia has learned that the question "Where are you from?" is not always easy to answer. In this episode of Navigate Across Borders, Kusum shares her journey across three cultures, reflecting on identity, belonging, work culture, and the realities of building a life across borders.  We discuss the differences between American, British, and Indian ways of living and working, the challenges of returning to a country after years abroad, and the hidden emotional cost of expatriation. Kusum also shares a beautiful poem about transition and what it means to move from one chapter of life to another. Whether you're an expat, an international professional, or simply curious about life between cultures, this conversation offers thoughtful insights into finding home in more than one place. Access the other podcast episodes of Navigate Across Borders on YouTube and on your favorite platforms here Who am I? I'm a French expat and international educator. I've lived and worked in Asia since 2004, and I'm based in Bangalore. Chapters 00:00 Introduction & Kusum's Global Journey 02:57 Cultural Habits, Time, and Life Across Three Continents 08:48 Work Culture: USA vs UK, Competition & Work-Life Balance 18:18 Where Is Home? Identity, Expat Life & Belonging 26:34 The Expat Experience, Transitions & Returning to India Support the show

    19 - India, USA and The UK: Lessons From 30 Years of Living Across Cultures

  4. May 14

    18 - Vivre à Bangalore (Inde du sud) en Famille : Adaptation, École et Chocs Culturels [FR]

    Dans cet épisode, Marie raconte son expatriation en Inde du sud avec son mari et ses deux enfants après avoir quitté la France. Ils sont maintenant à Bangalore. Dans cette discussion sans filtre nous voyons : Comment des enfants francophones s’adaptent dans une école internationale avec un niveau bas en anglais dès le départÀ quoi ressemble vraiment la vie de famille en Inde, et à Bangalore en particulierLes défis, les surprises et les points positifs d’une expatriation en familleComment un conjoint ou une conjointe suiveur/suiveuse peut se faire un réseau d'amis et ne plus se sentir seul(e).Un témoignage authentique et inspirant pour toutes les personnes qui envisagent de vivre à l’étranger, de travailler en Inde ou de tenter une expatriation en famille. N'hésitez pas à réagir à cette conversation en commentaires pour commencer une discussion. Voici le lien de Bangalore Accueil, l'association française dont nous parlons dans cet épisode. Je suis Dorothée, une expatriée originaire de Lyon. Je vis en Asie depuis plus de 20 ans. En ce moment je suis basée à Bangalore depuis 2018. Pensez à vous abonner sur YouTube, sur votre plateforme favorite pour ne manquer aucun épisode et suivez-moi sur les réseaux sociaux ici ou là. Si vous appréciez ce podcast et voulez le soutenir, voici le lien pour votre contribution. Chapitres 00:00 – Pourquoi Marie a tout quitté pour Bangalore 03:30 – De l’Amérique du Sud à l’Inde 08:20 – Partir en Inde avec 2 enfants : peur ou opportunité ? 11:40 – L’adaptation des enfants à l’école internationale 16:00 – La réalité du quotidien à Bangalore 22:00 – Ce que personne ne dit sur le retour en France 27:00  Le bilan honnête de Marie après 2 ans à Bangalore. Support the show

    18 - Vivre à Bangalore (Inde du sud) en Famille : Adaptation, École et Chocs Culturels [FR]

  5. May 4

    17 - An American Expat in Bangalore - What Nobody Tells You About Living in India

    Thinking about moving to India?  In this episode I sat down with Brian Hooks, an American expat who has spent over five years living and working in India.  Brian provides an honest look at the realities of life in Bangalore. Whether you are a professional considering a global career move, an aspiring expat, or simply curious about cross-cultural experiences, this conversation is for you. Access the other podcast episodes of Navigate Across Borders on YouTube and on your favorite platforms here Who am I? I'm a French expat and international educator. I've lived and worked in Asia since 2004, and I'm based in Bangalore. Chapters 00:00 Introduction & Meet Brian Hooks 02:57 Cultural Adaptations: The Indian Head Nod & Local Habits 06:27 The Story of Moving from the USA to Bangalore 15:59 Moving to India with a Family: Safety & Logistics 24:17 Navigating Indian Diversity & Language Barriers 29:22 US vs. India Lifestyle: Comparing Global Cultures 33:50 Bangalore Food Scene: Microbreweries to Street Food 41:23 Living Cashless in India: Navigating UPI & GPay 44:25 Expert Tips for Living and Working in India as an Expat 49:13 Conclusion Support the show

    17 - An American Expat in Bangalore - What Nobody Tells You About Living in India

  6. Mar 31

    16 - From NYC to Bangalore: Building a Slow Cafe Experience [Ethic Attic Cafe]

    In a city as busy as Bangalore, in the south of India, finding a quiet oasis feels almost impossible. But what if I told you an American expat built exactly that? Today is a different episode format. I'm taking you to a hidden gem in the heart of Bangalore called Ethic Attic Cafe. I sat down with Rachel at the café. And we recorded this episode. She shares her fascinating journey from New Jersey all the way to India. This episode is a series of cafe talks on YouTube. Make sure you tune in to watch more about Ethic Attic cafe on the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@NavigateAcrossBorders If you are an expat, a global professional, or simply someone fascinated by international living, you are in the right place. This podcast explores the real-life stories of people who live and work outside of their country. But it’s also about locals who are willing to share their cultural stories. I’m a French expat who has lived and worked in Asia as an educator for more than 20 years. I’m now based in Bangalore. Check out the cafe's website here: https://tinyurl.com/muynnrtp Support the show

    16 - From NYC to Bangalore: Building a Slow Cafe Experience [Ethic Attic Cafe]

  7. Mar 16

    15 - [FR] - Travailler sur un bateau de croisière : ce qu’on ne vous dit jamais avant de partir !

    Des journées marathon sur les plus grands paquebots de la planète, aux 800 kilomètres du chemin de Compostelle, Damien a fait du sport et des voyages son mode de vie. Dans cet épisode, nous allons découvrir la réalité du travail sur les paquebots de croisière ainsi que la vraie valeur des langues et de leurs cultures dans notre vie personnelle et professionnelle.  Ceci est le premier épisode en français de ce podcast. Le but est d'avoir des invités francophones et anglophones. Nous parlons d'expatriation, de vie à l'étranger et des expériences interculturelles. Commentez avec vos préférences pour les futurs épisodes ! Je suis Dorothée, une expatriée originaire de Lyon. Je vis en Asie depuis plus de 20 ans. En ce moment je suis basée à Bangalore depuis 2018. Pensez à vous abonner sur YouTube, sur votre plateforme favorite pour ne manquer aucun épisode et suivez-moi sur les réseaux sociaux ici ou là. Si vous appréciez ce podcast et voulez le soutenir, voici le lien pour votre contribution. Support the show

    15 - [FR] - Travailler sur un bateau de croisière : ce qu’on ne vous dit jamais avant de partir !

  8. Mar 2

    14 - Can We Really Understand A Country Without Eating Its Food?

    In this episode, Zafar shares his passion for food and travel, exploring the deep connections between culinary traditions and cultural heritage in India, Africa and other places he has traveled to.  Zafar also reflects on his journey as an accidental cook and the rise of culinary tourism. Don't forget to click and subscribe for more cultural insights from different parts of the world. Navigate Across Borders is a podcast where you hear about the real-life stories of ambitious professionals and expats from different countries. Whether they’re working with international teams or living with someone from a different culture, they will explain how they build cross-cultural connections.  Who am? I’m Dotty, a French expat & global educator who has lived and worked in Asia since 2004. I’m now based in Bangalore, India. This podcast is on all major podcast platforms & YouTube. Access here: https://lnk.bio/navigate_across_borders  https://linktr.ee/navigateacrossborders If you are an expat, a global professional, or simply someone fascinated by international living, you are in the right place. This podcast explores the real-life stories of people who live and work outside of their country. But it’s also about locals who are willing to share their cultural stories. If you want to know more about the blogs Zafar writes about his food experiences and adventures, you can find them here: A bowl of sugar The Traveller, The Recipe Collector, and the Chef on Substack The 2 books Zafar is referring to are:  Coorg The cookbook by Kaveri Ponnapa  Chutney - by Rushina Munshaw-Ghildiyal Support the show

    14 - Can We Really Understand A Country Without Eating Its Food?
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About

Welcome to Navigate Across Borders! If you are an expat, a global professional, or simply someone fascinated by international living, you are in the right place.I’m Dotty, a French expat and global educator who has lived across Asia for over 20 years. I’m currently based in Bangalore, India.This channel explores the real-life stories of people who live and work outside of their country. But it’s also about locals who are willing to share their cultural stories.

Information

  • Creator
    Dotty
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Navigate Across Borders
  • Show Website
    Navigate Across Borders