What makes a friend feel like home? And are you also that friend to yourself?

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…

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…