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
Updated Mar 1, 2026 What are the best things about where you live? Listing the positives of where you live gives you a helpful perspective, allowing you to notice the good around you. It can be especially valuable when you’re struggling with your current location, reminding you of its upsides, and it may also inspire…
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…
