Meet the Expats

Meet Zach and Anna: making it easy for expats to move with StartAbroad

Meet Zach and Anna,Serial expats and founders of StartAbroad, a relocation company built from real-life experience moving abroad, sometimes with support, sometimes completely on their own.From the Dominican Republic to Kenya, Rwanda, an unexpected year stuck in the US during Covid, and finally settling in Costa Rica, Zach and Anna share the highs, lows, and emotional rollercoaster of expat life. We talk about culture shock, common expat mistakes, outdated information, scams, and why moving without the right support can quickly become overwhelming.They also explain why they created StartAbroad, the kind of practical and emotional support expats really need, and what it means to truly adapt to a new culture, especially when raising a child abroad.Costa Rica RecommendationsGingerbread (Nuevo Arenal) – their favourite local restaurant (pro tip: ask for the chef’s menu)Playa Conchal – white sand, crystal-clear water, and perfect beach daysMarino Ballena National Park – home to the iconic Whale Tail beach on the South Pacific coastExpat Song“Under the Sea” (salsa version) by Alejandro Sanz – the soundtrack of this chapter of their expat lifeConsidering a move abroad, book a free consultation callRelocating to Costa Rica?Follow for more expat stories:📘 Meet the Expats Blog📹 Youtube Channel📱 Instagram 📱TikTokCredits:Intro outro Ice tea, Not the kingHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Meet Tracey: identity shifts and finding home in your body

Meet Tracey,Relocation coach, somatic practitioner, and six-time expat who has turned “trying it for three months” into a life philosophy. In this episode, we explore what it really means to build home within yourself—especially when life (and identity) keeps shifting with every move.Tracey takes us through her first unexpected opportunity at just 16, the resilience she discovered in herself, and the massive identity shift that unfolded years later in Canada, where she learned that relocation doesn’t fix what hurts, it magnifies it. We dive into her FEEL framework for processing emotions abroad, the five emotional phases of relocation, how to recognise when it’s time to move on, and why true belonging has more to do with your inner landscape than your postcode.She also shares her favourite New York spots (get ready for tacos + crepe cakes!) and the expat song that anchors her to our shared humanity.Short, deep, and soul-stretching—this one is for anyone navigating the messy middle of expat life.Footnotes & LinksTracey’s Recommendations in New York:Los Tacos No. 1 – Her go-to for some of the best tacos in the city.Lady M – For the famous crepe cakes (matcha is her favourite).Her Expat Song:“Streets of London” by Ralph McTell – A reminder of compassion, connection, and the stories we all carry.Resources Mentioned:Contact Tracey: www.traceyzhang.comTracey’s FEEL Framework (Find, Express, Embrace, Let It Move)Her ebook: Five Emotional Phases of RelocationRelated article: Identity shifts abroadYoutube video: https://youtu.be/wPcHq5IiAqkFollow for more expat stories:📘 Meet the Expats Blog📹 Youtube Channel📱 Instagram 📱TikTokCredits:Intro outro Ice tea, Not the kingHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Meet Nancy: dealing with grief abroad

Meet Nancy,After two decades of living abroad in Switzerland and Denmark, Nancy opens up about navigating grief as an expat — balancing a global career in biotech with the heartbreak of losing loved ones from afar.She shares how returning to the U.S. reshaped her sense of home, what helped her cope with loss overseas, and how she found purpose again by building a new life (and business) back in Montana.We discuss:Managing grief and guilt while living abroadStaying connected to family from thousands of miles awayReverse culture shock and the pull of “coming home”Finding community and faith through life transitionsThe importance of slowing down and listening to your instinctsNancy’s Picks:🇩🇰 Copenhagen — Zahida for vibrant dinners & Union Kitchen for a cozy brunch☕ Montana — City Brew Coffee, where friendly faces make homecoming sweeter🎵 The expat song: Great Is Thy Faithfulness — a reminder of strength, wherever you areRelated article: Managing grief as an expatHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Meet Megan: learning languages and building confidence

Meet Megan,From starting out as an au pair in Germany to running her own language coaching business, Megan talks about how travel shaped her career, changed her mindset, her top tips for learning languages, and why confidence is the secret to better communication.We discuss:Building confidence when learning a new languageThe difference between language lessons and coachingOvercoming “learned helplessness” and perfectionismTips for immersion — from switching your phone language to joining local meetupsMegan’s Mexico Picks:🌮 Tropical Tacos — for cochinita and mezcalitas🥐 Media lunas from local bakeries (Argentinian croissants!)🍝 Francesca’s (Italian) & Celine’s (French) for international flavors💧 Cenotes — natural lagoons perfect for a refreshing afternoon swimThe expat song: Leaving on a jet plane, by John DenversFind Megan: Megalanguagecoachwww.linkedin.com/in/megan-nicholls-59a47077https://www.instagram.com/megalanguagecoachhttps://www.youtube.com/@megalanguagecoachRelated articles: Moving abroad when you don't speak the languageHow to learn a new languageVideo: https://youtu.be/GL3_KG17BnYTake online language classes with LingodaHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Meet Dr Elefant-Yanni: the affective toll of expat life

Meet Dr. Elefant Yanni, a Swiss psychologist now based in Singapore, who has built a career helping expats and international couples navigate the highs and lows of life abroad. From her first move to Canada, then Korea, and now Singapore, Dr. Yanni shares how each relocation shaped her understanding of relationships, resilience, and the invisible bonds between expats.In this conversation, we dive into the realities of expat life—the loneliness of the “trailing spouse,” the provider complex that can strain couples, and the small daily habits that keep love and family strong when everything around you changes. With practical tips on making friends, cherishing couple time, and knowing when to seek support, this episode is a gentle reminder that while expat life can be challenging, it’s also a unique chance to grow, connect, and rediscover yourself.Footnotes🌏 Free Guide – 3D Human Therapy: Download Dr. Yanni’s free guide to psychological independence at psychologyexperts.online/3dform.🍜 Singapore Favorites:Eat: East Coast Lagoon Food Village – hawker delights with Michelin-worthy bites by the sea.Drink: Atlas Bar – a breathtaking Art Deco landmark with world-class cocktails.Coffee & Pastries: Tiong Bahru Bakery – French pastries meet turmeric lattes in true expat fusion.🎶 Expat Song: Fleeting Future by Akusmi – a soundtrack to the fleeting moments that shape our lives abroad.Related article: Dealing with emotional burnout due to expat life pressure.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.