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You're not failing - you're grieving: what nobody tells you about moving abroad
Manage episode 488258234 series 3671005
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In this vulnerable and truth-telling episode, Nic Scholtysik (belonging researcher) and Natalia Szyszka (psychotherapist) talk about the unique texture of expat friendship: urgent, sometimes deep, often short-lived — and always shaped by the invisible emotional labor of starting over. This episode is a must for anyone living abroad, working in HR, or supporting globally mobile talent. We unpack why expat friendship feels different, what grief hides behind even a “good relocation,” and how connection can be made more sustainable across cultures.
Shownotes:
[00:03:21] – Why expat friendships start fast — and often end just as fast
[00:09:21] – “You’re not depressed — you’re grieving the life you chose not to live.”
[00:17:10] – The cultural ‘codes’ of friendship and how they vary country to country
[00:23:45] – Why loneliness persists, even with a social life
[00:28:02] – What HR and leadership usually miss in onboarding international talent
[00:35:27] – How to offer empathy without pity or overstepping
[00:41:50] – What rituals, habits, and ‘sameness’ can do for stability abroad
[00:49:03] – Identity loss, partner dynamics, and emotional exhaustion in new countries
[00:58:33] – Hopeful ways to reframe disconnection, without rushing the process
14 episodes
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