Suitcase Sagas

This episode wraps up the first Season of Suitcase Sagas where we sum up the big takeaways from the series so far.  We want to encourage you to follow your dreams to live overseas.  Moving to another country does take a lot of sacrifices.  Your experiences will push you to be very resilient, open-minded, and compassionate.  You'll make connections like never before.  Be sure to tune in and feel encouraged to take your dreams abroad and begin to live the expat life with us.  And as we break and prepare for Season 2, connect with us on Instagram @suitcase_sagas. 

Today, we wrap up our series by discussing freelancing abroad, digital nomading, working remotely for your current company, and visa options and requirements.  If you are someone who is curious about leaving to work in another country, then you'll definitely want to tune in to this episode.  There are plenty of useful tips and firsthand insights into the visa options, and things to be aware of when choosing a country to explore. So be sure to tune in and share with anyone you know who is considering working overseas.  We hope that today's conversation gives you some good takeaways, and be sure to connect with us over on our Instagram @suitcase_sagas.

We are continuing our topic of working abroad and sharing our experiences with obtaining work visas, renewing work visas, and the things to prepare for in the process.  With the current backlog caused by the Pandemic, it's important to be prepared and patient with the process.  There are plenty of useful tips in this episode, so be sure to tune in and share with anyone you know who is considering working in another country.  We hope that today's conversation gives you some good takeaways, and be sure to connect with us over on our Instagram @suitcase_sagas.

This week we are continuing our series about the reasons people move abroad and beginning our discussion of working abroad.  It all starts with a job offer, then a contract is agreed upon, and next begins the visa process.  And this visa process can be tricky.  Today, we are sharing our own experiences with moving abroad for a job and give our listeners some tips that can help you in your move abroad.  We hope that today's conversation gives you some good takeaways, and be sure to connect with us over on our Instagram @suitcase_sagas.   

Wondering why people move abroad? Or how you yourself can pick up and move overseas?  This week we are beginning our last series of this season of Suitcase Sagas and talking about the various things that take expats abroad.  Obviously work is the most common reason people leave to live in another country, and we will go over in detail all the ins and outs of moving abroad for work.    But today, we are discussing some of the more unconventional or uncommon things that take people out of their home country.  We hope that today's conversation introduces a few other options to your list of ways to move abroad. And of course, if we forgot to mention you reason for ending up somewhere overseas, be sure to let us know by connecting with us on our instagram @suitcase_sagas

We are continuing last week's discussion about the typical reasons expats end up ending their time abroad and returning home.  Contract disputes, family health, desire for a relationship can all be some of the reasons for the curtain to close on an expats' time abroad.  We hope that today's conversation educates some of our listeners on the realities of living abroad and highlights some of the sacrifices that are often made in the choice to live in another country, thereby often being a cause to head home.  Connect with us on our Instagram @suitcase_sagas   

We are extending on last week's conversation about the shock of returning home and discussing many of the typical reasons expats end up ending their time abroad and returning home.  There are some very obvious reasons people leave, and some not-so-often-discussed reasons why expats leave the life abroad to return home.  We hope that today's conversation educates some of our listeners on the realities of living abroad and highlights some of the sacrifices that are often made in the choice to live in another country, thereby often being a cause to head home.  Connect with us on our Instagram: @suitcase_sagas 

We continue our series on Culture Shock, but in this week's episode, we are reversing the shock to discuss the common experiences expats endure when they return “home” after living abroad.  Many refer to this as ‘reverse culture shock' and quite honestly it can be even harder than the initial shock of living in a foreign country.  It can be painful to be faced with the feeling of being misunderstood or disconnected from the place and people you were once immersed in which can be an isolating experience.  So we hope that today's conversation helps you know you're not alone in your feelings as you reacclimate to living in your home country. And give you some helpful tips for your readjustment back home.  Let's connect on Instagram @suitcase_sagas

Continuing our Culture Shock series, we discuss some more ways that can help expats through the disoriented feelings that living in a new country can bring about.  But culture shock isn't always something that is experienced at the beginning of someone's experience abroad. It can actually be experienced years after living in a foreign country.  There are many layers rooted in culture, lots of historical contexts that few outside the culture would know or ever understand. And there might be times that your lack of knowledge of these unwritten and not obvious roots can be offensive and unwelcome. So staying aware of the sensitivity that plays into many cultural traditions, modern policies, and the historical context around it all is important as expats navigate their own place within a foreign country.  Be sure to connect with us on our Instagram @suitcase_sagas and share your culture shock experiences with our Sagas community.  

As we continue our series on Culture Shock, we try to answer a question that many expat newbies seem to have….how can I get over culture shock? There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, but in today's episode we discuss a few ideas that can definitely help in overcoming the shock of living in another country.  And one idea is sure to please all the foodies out there!  There's no way to tell how long culture shock will last, but as the shock wears on, it's good to have some techniques to help you endure and minimize the disorienting feeling.  Be sure to connect with us on our Instagram @suitcase_sagas and share your culture shock experiences with our Sagas community.  

This week, we begin a new series about Culture Shock and what exactly it is.  Culture shock is one of those things you hear and talk a lot about as an expat.  And it's not always something you only experience when you first arrive somewhere new.  It can keep sneaking up years after you have lived in a place.  We begin the series by discussing what culture shock is and share some of our personal experiences while living abroad.  Thanks for listening and be sure to join in on the conversation on our Instagram at @suitcase_sagas

One of the most common reasons many people choose to move abroad is the opportunity for travel. Some places definitely make traveling easier, more accessible, and enticing, while others require a lot more planning, time, and patience.  For some, there can be the occasional headache and heartache in relation to obtaining a visa to visit certain countries with passports that aren't as flexible as others.  In this week's episode, we talk about the perks of traveling while living abroad, and how it can open up your eyes to things you never imagined.  Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to connect with us on Instagram @suitcase_sagas

Making friendships can be difficult no matter our age and geographic location, but as an expat, it can be even trickier.  So many of us are transient, moving around every couple of years or so, and there can be a real fear of connection when you know the ‘loss' is inevitable.  But as Efua and Jessica prove, expat friendships do not have to be temporary! We haven't lived in the same country since 2017, and in our experience, we have made many friendships beyond our own that are proving to be forever relationships as we intentionally build on them and keep in touch regularly thanks to technology.  In this episode, the Saga ladies discuss the sometimes tricky situation of making meaningful friendships while living abroad. And the difficult truths of breaking up while living abroad.  Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to connect with us on Instagram! @suitcase_sagas

When you move abroad, you go in knowing that there will be a lot of new things on the horizon- like language, culture, food, and scenery. But some of the experiences come as an unexpected surprise- much like a fly in your drink or finding cash in the dryer.  Some good, some not so good.  In this episode, we are discussing some of the expected and unexpected surprises that are likely to come in life abroad and the adjustments that expats are forced to make.  Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to connect with us on Instagram @suitcase_sagas

So many people travel abroad and think to themselves, I could totally live here! But the truth of traveling to a foreign place isn't always the same as touring that same country.  In todays' episode, we discuss the novelty and fun that travel provides, and how often living abroad can limit a person's freedom to choose where they live and work, which can definitely change their perspective on living abroad.  We also discuss the layers of culture shock that is experienced when you live abroad and how it can be quite different than the shock of when you are traveling somewhere for a limited time. And how the differences in work culture and ethics can add some unexpected hurdles and hilarity to the expat experience.  Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to connect with us on Instagram @suitcase_sagas

Living abroad as an expat can be adventurous and exciting, but it can also bring about some troubling realities and situations.  We continue last week's conversation and discuss how sometimes when making the decision to leave home and move abroad, it's difficult to be honest about the struggles involved in adjusting to a new country where there is no support system in place (yet), but that the hardships are totally normal and it's important to talk it out.  The purpose behind creating Suitcase Sagas was to create a space to safely talk about all the fun, bad, ugly things of life abroad. We want to create a global community of expats where we can network and build relationships.   Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to connect with us on Instagram @suitcase_sagas

It's important to know the WHY behind our voices, and in this week's episode, we share with you what brought us to start recording a podcast and what Suitcase Sagas means to us.  Coming to you from Dallas, Texas, USA, and Vaduz, Liechtenstein, Efua and Jessica discuss Jessica's recent move to Liechtenstein, and the struggles of packing, shipping, storing, and lugging too many things from one country to the next.  And the soon-to-be-famous pup Apricot makes his podcast debut as Efua discusses her experiences growing up as a Third Culture Kid (TCK) in the Middle East, her transition back to living in Dallas, and how we met nine years ago under abnormal circumstances.  Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to connect with us on Instagram @suitcase_sagas

We're Efua and Jessica, forever expats who met in 2012. Our experiences living abroad in multiple countries have offered lots of opportunities for adventure and growth. We have always been transparent with one another about the joys and frustrations of living abroad and realize that there is a need for a community where people abroad can connect globally. Our podcast aims to inspire expats to build authentic communities around the world.