Quick Fire Questions - Coping with Homesickness with Mary Martha

08/21/24 • 15 min

9 Listeners

Summary:

In this conversation, James Doran interviews Mary Martha, an American expat living in Chile. They discuss various topics related to expat life, including favorite places to live, favorite international food, favorite international tradition, favorite thing about living abroad, best homesickness remedy, hardest thing about living abroad, best phrase learned while living abroad, best way to make new friends, and best thing to do in a new city. Mary Martha shares her experiences and insights, providing valuable advice for other expats.

Takeaways:

Living abroad allows for the opportunity to create a hybrid of cultures and develop an international mindset.
When feeling homesick, it can be helpful to connect with your culture through food, calls with friends or family, or watching familiar movies.
Exploring a new city by walking and observing people can be a great way to familiarize yourself with the surroundings.
Making new friends as an expat requires putting yourself out there and being open to meeting different people.
Journaling and checking in with yourself daily can help navigate the challenges of expat life and celebrate small wins.

Sound Bites

"Living abroad allows for the opportunity to create our own kind of hybrid of cultures."

"Connect with your culture through food, calls with friends or family, or watching familiar movies."

"I love exploring a new city by walking and just observing people."

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

04:16 Creating an International Mindset

05:09 Coping with Homesickness

12:21 Exploring a New City

14:50 Navigating the Challenges of Expat Life

Summary:

Takeaways:

Living abroad allows for the opportunity to create a hybrid of cultures and develop an international mindset.
When feeling homesick, it can be helpful to connect with your culture through food, calls with friends or family, or watching familiar movies.
Exploring a new city by walking and observing people can be a great way to familiarize yourself with the surroundings.
Making new friends as an expat requires putting yourself out there and being open to meeting different people.
Journaling and checking in with yourself daily can help navigate the challenges of expat life and celebrate small wins.

Sound Bites

"Living abroad allows for the opportunity to create our own kind of hybrid of cultures."

"Connect with your culture through food, calls with friends or family, or watching familiar movies."

"I love exploring a new city by walking and just observing people."

Connect with Us:

Website: https://www.tallmantravels.co.uk/the-expat-pod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089327439022
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.expat.pod/
X: https://twitter.com/ExpatPod
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-expat-pod/

Subscribe, Rate, and Review:

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

04:16 Creating an International Mindset

05:09 Coping with Homesickness

12:21 Exploring a New City

14:50 Navigating the Challenges of Expat Life

Previous Episode

E054 - The Challenges of Learning Spanish and Social Integration as an Expat Finding Community and Deep Friendships

8 Recommendations

Summary:

Mary Martha shares her experience of moving to Chile and living as an expat. She initially wanted to learn Spanish and chose Chile as her destination. She had a family friend living there, which made the decision easier. Mary Martha entered Chile with a tourist visa and later applied for a temporary work visa. She started teaching English and later transitioned to working at a digital marketing company. Mary Martha found it challenging to learn Spanish as many people wanted to practice their English with her. She also noticed that Chileans tend to hold onto their high school friends, making it difficult to integrate into social groups. In this conversation, Martha shares her experiences of living abroad in Chile for the past eight years. She discusses the challenges she faced, such as language barriers and cultural differences, as well as the rewards of immersing herself in a new culture. Martha emphasizes the importance of self-care and prioritizing personal values while living abroad. She also offers advice for those considering a move abroad, encouraging them to be compassionate with themselves and to focus on their own well-being and growth.

Takeaways:

Choosing a destination with a personal connection can make the transition easier
Learning the local language can be challenging when people want to practice their English with you
Integrating into social groups can be difficult in a country where people tend to hold onto their childhood friends Living abroad can be both challenging and rewarding, with language barriers and cultural differences being common obstacles to overcome.
Prioritizing self-care and focusing on personal values are essential for a fulfilling experience abroad.
It is important to be compassionate with oneself and to give oneself grace when it comes to career growth and personal development.
Building a community and making deep friendships takes time, and it is okay to prioritize personal well-being and maintain connections with friends and family back home.
Defining and aligning with personal values can guide decision-making and lead to a more fulfilling life abroad.

Connect with Us:

Website: https://www.tallmantravels.co.uk/the-expat-pod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089327439022
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.expat.pod/
X: https://twitter.com/ExpatPod
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-expat-pod/

Subscribe, Rate, and Review:

Sound Bites:

"I really wanted to learn Spanish"
"Teaching English felt like the most flexible option"
"It can be hard to enter a group that has their core group of friends"
"Being in the, I think also"
"This might just be cultural"
"We met at a barbecue, which they call a cello"

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Connection with the Host

01:12 The Inspiration for Moving Abroad and Choosing Chile

05:05 Visa Process and Teaching English in Chile

12:18 First Impressions and Settling into Life in Chile

24:04 Finding Permanent Accommodation and Social Life

28:49 Transitioning to a Chilean Company and Language Learning Challenges

36:52 Navigating Language Barriers and Cultural Differences

38:16 Meeting Chilean Friends and Partners

41:38 Building Relationships and Making Connections

43:08 Professional Life and Language Use

44:05 Exploring South America and Travel Experiences

46:27 Maintaining Connections with Friends and Family

49:49 Balancing Social Life and Personal Well-being

55:05 Career Growth and Personal Development Abroad

58:32 Prioritizing Self-Care and Personal Values

01:08:31 Aligning with Personal Values for a Fulfilling Life Abroad

Next Episode

E055 - Staying Visible in Remote Work

8 Recommendations

Summary:

Molly, an American expat living in Costa Rica, shares her journey of moving abroad and the reasons behind it. She was motivated by a desire to be closer to nature and alleviate chronic pain. Molly's move was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced her to adapt her podcast production business to a remote model. She chose Costa Rica because of her previous connections to the country and the positive experiences she had during a visit. Molly initially faced challenges, including a difficult living situation and a traumatic home invasion, but she persevered and found a safe and welcoming community. She now enjoys the natural beauty and outdoor activities that Costa Rica has to offer. Molly shares her experiences of living in Costa Rica and offers advice for those considering moving abroad. She discusses the challenges of driving in Costa Rica, the importance of learning the local language, and the need to stay visible in your industry when working remotely. Molly also talks about her visits back to the US, the impact of the January 6th insurrection in DC, and the political climate in Costa Rica. She advises taking it slow when moving abroad, joining local crime groups for accurate information, and envisioning your perfect day to make it a reality.

Connect with Us:

Website: https://www.tallmantravels.co.uk/the-expat-pod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089327439022
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.expat.pod/
X: https://twitter.com/ExpatPod
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-expat-pod/

Subscribe, Rate, and Review:

Takeaways:

Moving abroad can provide opportunities for a better quality of life and a fresh start.
Adapting to remote work can open up new possibilities for living in different countries.
Building a supportive community is essential for a successful expat experience.
Living in a foreign country requires an open mind, cultural sensitivity, and an understanding of local customs and laws.
Exploring nature and engaging in outdoor activities can enhance the expat experience. Driving in Costa Rica can be challenging due to narrow and windy roads, but it is less stressful than other transportation options.
Learning the local language is important for immersion and understanding the nuances of the culture.
When working remotely, it is crucial to stay visible and maintain connections with clients and colleagues.
Visiting back home is important for business visibility and maintaining relationships.
The January 6th insurrection in DC had a significant impact on Molly's perspective and she believes it signifies the end of an era in America.

Sound Bites:

"Being closer to nature and a little bit more grounded."

"I'm gonna be better at doing everything fully remote than everybody else."

"I was drugged and robbed in a home invasion."

"There's always a chance you're going to die every time you get in your car because the roads are so narrow and windy."

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:53 Motivation for Moving Abroad

06:11 Adapting to Remote Work

09:03 Navigating the Visa Process

12:00 Finding Accommodation

14:52 Initial Impressions of Costa Rica