When we live across cultures, we meet amazing, diverse people. Still, forming lasting, true, or like-minded friendships can be hard. So much depends on our history, personality, location, language, role, life stage, and luck too. keep CONNECTING with an open heart During my 14 years abroad, I’ve found friends in all sorts of places: our…
Tag: living abroad
10 fun language learning techniques I’ve tried: what works (and what doesn’t)
Languages open doors to new places, perspectives, connections, and possibilities. But learning a language is tough—especially without daily exposure, like through family or work. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to learning a language. In addition to more common learning methods, you can spice up the learning by combining your interests. How about singing karaoke…
The ‘Stranger’s Freedom’ and 10 ways how it manifests itself
We know that life abroad comes with difficulties. For example, we may have limitations that the locals don’t have, and we may miss people from our country of origin and sometimes feel like we don’t belong. But the other, bright✨, side of the coin is the freedom the foreignness can bring (of course depending on…
Cherish your relationship with your country of residence
A new country is like a new relationship. Sometimes the chemistry is there right away, sometimes not. Like in relationships, getting to know each other helps to understand other one better. Your own attitude also affects the development of the relationship. Every experience of living in a foreign country is unique. How each person experiences…
15+ Sunny Sides of Switzerland That Make You Want to Stay
Jump directly to the part “The Zurich Coffee Place Recommendations”, updated 29.5.2025 What are the best things about where you live? By listing the positives of your living place, you gain a helpful perspective that lets you see the good around you. The list can be especially useful when you’re struggling with your current location,…
The power of positive feedback
After one particularly long day, I noticed a review of my book ‘Greetings from Abroadland’ on (a Finnish) blog called ‘Kirjeitä Shanghaista’. It made me happy and humbled. How amazing that the book has made a positive impact! And that the blogger had taken time to write the review. It made me also to think…
15 things I miss about living in Singapore
“Live for the moments you can’t put into words.” There is still some winter left in Europe but I’m already excited about the spring and the green that comes with it… I mind traveled back to the tropics and listed things I miss about living in Singapore: And then there are also all the personal…
5 QUICK TIPS FOR A GOOD VISIT ’BACK HOME’
Edited 11.7.2019 Holidays are coming and so are the visits to see family and friends! Here are 5 quick tips for a successful visit ’back home’: If you will be visiting your friends and family in your native country / home town soon, I hope you will have a great time! 💛
When you move abroad, pack these qualities with you
I listed 10 most helpful qualities to have when you move and live abroad: Do you have anything common with the features of a chameleon?
Keepsake suitcase
For a long time I’ve been planning to do keepsake suitcases for my kids. Places to store some of their childhood items. I think suitcases fit well for a travelling family – they remind of the adventures that have happened and those that will happen. Plus the suitcases can look beautiful! I’ve now found a…
Abroadland 