Taking Route

Finding Patience with the Negative Expat

Finding Patience with the Negative Expat

A week or so after arriving in Armenia, I ventured out to a local zoo to meet up with some other expat parents and their kids. By the time we got to the zoo, my head was spinning from trying to call for a ride, communicate with the taxi driver, and hold onto all three of my kids in the back—without seat-belts—while the driver dodged wildly around other vehicles, and even backed up on a busy road after missing a turn. But we arrived safely, so I counted it a success.

I was thrilled to be out of the taxi, and ready to meet some new friends.

Reflections From AbroadChristie ChuMay 25, 2020Friendships, the suffering expat, friendshipComment

It's Tea Time Somewhere: All About Staying During a Pandemic

It's Tea Time Somewhere: All About Staying During a Pandemic

Should I stay or should I go? This is a question that most of us have had to wrestle with recently as country borders closed and flights were grounded. In this episode, Denise and Melissa talk about staying in their host countries during this pandemic, how they made the decision, and how they are coping with their choice. From schooling changes for the kids to cancelled trips and loss of control, this conversation deals with the very real fears, challenges, and blessings of choosing to stay abroad during this pandemic.

PodcastHeather FallisMay 22, 2020staying, COVID-19, CoronavirusComment

Three Ways International Living Helped Me Strive for Less

Three Ways International Living Helped Me Strive for Less

I am not here to tell you that less is more, because less is actually less.

Less—it is a simple word not used much in Western culture. I don’t hear many people proclaiming they want less stuff, less activities, less house, and less friends. I definitely have never heard someone say, “I want to be less.” In Pope Francis’s documentary, A Man of His Word, he said, “We can all get by with less.” That is a novel notion for those of us that come from consumer culture. What if we all started striving to have less, instead of running about striving for more of everything?

Travel & MovingGuest UserApril 15, 2020tiny living, moving, simplifying, small spacesComment

Climbing the Language Hill + a resource

Climbing the Language Hill + a resource

Language LearningAlicia BoyceApril 14, 2020Comment

Not The New Normal

Not The New Normal

In some ways, during this time of social isolation, I find myself more connected than ever.

In the past two weeks alone, I’ve been on more video conferences than the rest of my life combined. I’ve had countless conversations through text and other messenger apps with friends. People have emailed and reached out to check on our family. We’ve chatted almost daily with our family in the States.

And yet, after a video call with several friends recently, I found myself messaging one of them saying, “I just wish we could sit across from each other with coffee and have a conversation face to face.”

Reflections From AbroadHeather FallisApril 10, 2020isolation, communication, COVID-19, CoronavirusComment

The Sudden Loss of Goodbyes

The Sudden Loss of Goodbyes

Yesterday I made pumpkin bread with frozen pumpkin puree that a friend had made from scratch and tucked away, intending to use herself. Today I made pot roast for dinner with beef from their freezer. These friends had to make the abrupt decision to leave their home in Rwanda due to medical reasons. Even though the airport closed last week, some embassies worked to figure out a handful more flights out this week. So, these friends took the last-minute opportunity, packed up their home and two small children in a matter of days, texted out the contents of their freezer and pantry to those of us who lived in the neighborhood to come pick up, and — a few hours later — were headed to the airport, unsure of how many months it will be until they can return.

Reflections From AbroadCaroline SwartzApril 6, 2020COVID-19, loss, grief, Coronavirus, pandemic Comments

Resurrecting My Hair: A Metaphor for Expat Life

Resurrecting My Hair: A Metaphor for Expat Life

I have the hair of a Mediterranean sea goddess. I discovered this last fall when our family traveled to Malta for a conference, and every single one of my ringlets was living its best life every day. One morning, I came out of the bathroom after catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror and shrieked to my husband, “I actually woke up like this!” They were so tight and bouncy I got compliments on my “haircut” when I posted photos.

The humidity, the sea breeze, the silky hotel pillowcase and the relaxed atmosphere of the conference that enabled me to primp a bit in the morning created the perfect environment for my curls to thrive. I only needed to wash my hair two times the whole week. The rest of the time I spritzed with a little water, added a tiny bit of product to combat the frizz, and twisted the few disobedient ringlets back in shape. To my amazement, they stayed all day.

Reflections From Abroad, New ExpatRosalie DuryeeApril 2, 2020culture fatigue, Language Learning, gratitude, rest, tipsComment

We Need Each Other

We Need Each Other

Teams comes in all different shapes and sizes. Different passport countries — different experiences that led us overseas, and different life stages — which all add to the diversity that is often found in expat communities.

Diversity can be a beautiful thing, but it can also be challenging. Different perspectives can be helpful, but that means not everyone thinks like I do. Everybody has a unique skill set that complements others’ and each serves to accomplish the task, but that means we have to depend on each other. Experienced team members have a lot of wisdom about the country, the work, and the people, but it can be hard for newcomers to understand and accept that wisdom.

Sometimes it’s easier to stick with those with whom I have the most in common. Working with people who are different than me requires more effort, humility, and grace. It’s hard enough to work alongside those people in my passport country, not to mention overseas where everything is different. My tendency is to gravitate towards others like me.

But I don’t think this is the way we were meant to do life.

Building Community, New ExpatMallory BrooksMarch 31, 2020teaming, team relationships, community, differences, singleness, familyComment

COVID-19 Can Make Us All Better Global Citizens

This morning I woke up to an invitation from a neighbor (via social media) to our whole apartment community. We were invited to sing hymns from our balconies together, since Germany has suspended church meetings.

Inspired by the viral video of Italians singing out their windows across empty streets, our neighbor invited us to do something similar. I'll admit, I was conflicted a bit about joining. I didn't know all the words and worried it would feel like an awkward performance on my part.

But we gathered on our separate balconies and, as the singing began, I forgot all that. More and more neighbors spilled outside, waving as they joined in. A woman stopped on the sidewalk below us and listened, occasionally wiping her eyes. We ended up with nearly half of the balconies between two buildings filled with neighbors singing hymns together.

Home & HospitalityChristie ChuMarch 23, 2020COVID-19, Coronavirus, community, global citizen, kindness Comment

What Good Thing Could Come From This?

Can I just say that COVID-19 is really messing up some things? Like my plans. My husband and I had a much-needed weekend away planned. That came and went and is still much needed. My daughter is a senior this year. Her cap and gown are sitting in the packaging and she is making jokes about graduating online after all. We homeschooled for so long and she was looking forward to a graduation with her class. Her prom dress is hanging with the tags still on it in her room, and I’m trying to brainstorm a get together that fits in with the current restrictions on gatherings where we are. Our friends are trapped in country with expiring visas. Global workers who are stateside are having their much-needed fundraising functions cancelled. Schools are closing. Oh, the list goes on.

“The only good thing to come out of this are the memes,” I’ve muttered to my family.

But then I had to repent.

Reflections From AbroadGuest WriterMarch 21, 2020pandemic, Coronavirus, COVID-19, isolation, Velvet Ashes retreat, retreat, fearComment

Expat Friendships: Loving Hard and Loving Fast

Expat Friendships: Loving Hard and Loving Fast

I know someone warned me this would happen at some point. Multiple people, I'm sure, told me to prepare my heart for this.

“People will come and go,” they said. “Your life will be in a constant state of flux and transition will be your new normal.” I'm sure I smiled and nodded with every intention of taking the advice they'd shared. But somehow it still shocked me when the first wave of people started to say they were leaving.

I was nervous about making new friends when we moved. I think I translated the warnings about the come-and-go nature of people living overseas to mean I needed to guard myself. I thought I needed to be very picky and choosey about who I spent my time with because you never know when they can up and leave.

Building Community, New ExpatTaylor MayMarch 1, 2020Comment

It's Tea Time Somewhere: All About the Twenty-Tens

A lot can change in ten years, especially when you throw being an expat in the mix. From reflections on moving abroad for the first time to a hilarious quiz on today’s lingo, Denise, Melissa, and Alicia explore a decade’s worth of fun and wisdom in this episode. Join them for a discussion about how their surroundings, families, and hearts have changed through their prospective journeys. Grab a cup of tea (or coffee) and listen in because when these three get together, you will want to be a part of the conversation! After all, it's tea time somewhere.

PodcastTaking Route EditorsFebruary 7, 2020podcast, Taking Route Podcast, It's Tea Time SomewhereComment

Expat Life is a Pair of Ducks

Expat Life is a Pair of Ducks

When I initially went overseas, I committed to one year and was sent as an intern with my company. By the end of my third year, I had committed to staying in my role long term and finally had the time to attend a training for people preparing to move overseas in Colorado during the summer of 2015. It was there that I first learned about “yay ducks” and the “yuck ducks.”

The trainers brought out two rubber ducks. (If you say, “pair of ducks” quickly, it kind of sounds like “paradox.”) The Yay Duck represented all the good and exciting parts of moving overseas. The Yuck Duck had some bruises and band-aids and represented all of the not-so-good parts of moving overseas. This was a new way to describe some of the feelings I was experiencing, as I looked ahead to making a major life transition.

Family & TCKs, Current Collection, Moving AbroadMallory BrooksJanuary 31, 2020expat life, transition, grief and joy, movingComment

The Benefit of a Good Cry

The Benefit of a Good Cry

No matter how long you've lived there, the stress of figuring out life in a different country can feel overwhelming.

Go ahead and have a cry. It's actually good for you.

Every expat knows times of stress, whether that stress is physical or emotional. Transition times are frustrating, finding an unwelcome creature in your house is frightening, and dealing with unwanted attention while out and about makes your body pulse with tension.

Culture Shock and StressChristie ChuJanuary 9, 2020stress, crying, emotional healthComment

8 Rules of Transition

I have moved to a third new country in seven years (and that’s not counting all the moves back and forth to my passport country.) Your story is probably similar if you are reading this blog, and let’s be honest, it is exhausting. Besides the logical nightmare of moving countries, there is the emotional nightmare of finding your place and your meaning again.

During the previous moves and other life transitions I started to compile a mental list of rules to help me with the transition. These rules, silly and serious, have helped me settle into life in a new host country, and I hope some of them resonate with you as well.

Travel & Moving, Transition, New ExpatGuest UserDecember 30, 2019transition, moving, expat help, goals, perspective Comment

Here's the First Thing You Need to Read Once You've Moved Overseas

So, you’re going to do it.

You’re moving to a country that’s foreign to you, with a language you don’t understand, a climate that you’re not used to, and a whole lot of people you don’t know.

You’ve got your reasons, and I’m sure they’re tremendous. You’ve got your plans and your goals, and maybe you’ve even got a calling. Those are all good things, so as someone who’s lived abroad longer than some (and shorter than others), I’d like to welcome you and say CONGRATULATIONS!

In addition to a hearty welcome, I’d also like to offer some musings for the move. Here are some concepts and resources that have been a deep well of help for me, and many others too.

Moving Abroad, Travel & Moving, New ExpatGuest WriterDecember 27, 2019moving abroad, moving overseas, new expat, serving wellComment

Episode 29: Finding Your Place as a Trailing Spouse with Tawni Sattler

Married or single, it’s likely you have struggled at some point with finding joy and purpose in the tasks expected of you in your life abroad. In Tawnie’s experience of becoming a “trailing spouse”-the spouse who isn’t working full-time- those expectations can be challenging and isolating. In this episode, she shares vulnerably about leaving her career in the states behind, and her journey to find her own passion and purpose while living overseas. Tawnie reminds us that finding outlets outside of ministry and work that align with our talents and passions can help prevent burnout and lead to a more fulfilling life.

Family & TCKs, PodcastTaking Route EditorsDecember 26, 2019trailing spouse, transition, parenting abroad, Europe, podcast, Taking Route PodcastComment

10 Ways Expats and TCKs Can Relate to Buddy the Elf

I don’t know about you, but I find it very hard to believe that Elf has been around since 2003. It quickly became one of the Christmas movie classics — right up there with Home Alone, The Santa Claus, and It’s a Wonderful Life. I know I don’t need to convince you to watch that movie (as if you haven’t watched it more than a few times this month alone). But, like any movie that’s watched over and over again because it never gets old, I began to pick up on details I didn’t notice the first two dozen times.

This year, as I sat and watched Elf with my children, I couldn’t help but relate to Buddy on a whole new level. Why was I feeling so seen and understood by this movie? Then it hit me — Buddy is an expat. Even more than that, Buddy is an adult Third Culture Kid.

Holidays AbroadAlicia BoyceDecember 23, 2019TCKs, third culture kids, expat life, buddy the elf Comments

The Gift of Telling Your Story

The Gift of Telling Your Story

My mother’s family spent several years in the early 70’s living in Seoul, South Korea, when she was a teenager. Because of her vivid memories and my relationship with my grandparents, the influence of Korea on my family was marked. My grandparents’ home in the States was filled with beautiful artwork and furniture from Asia. My grandfather often answered the phone with the Korean greeting, yobaseo, rather than the typical hello.

Reflections From AbroadHeather FallisDecember 20, 2019your story, expat life, statesideComment