In this episode, Clare talks about the need to be open-minded enough to make friends with strangers when you move country. Including those who are not from the same background or who are living very different lives from you. She shares some tips to overcome our natural instinct and conditioning to stay away from strangers (stranger danger) so that you have the potential to connect with whoever you want. Because Clare has lived in the UK, China, Nigeria and the USA she has plenty of experience of finding a community in a new country, regardless of the cultural differences.

Clare also launches her new Facebook Community - Moving Countries, 101 with Clare Kay. A community where the focus is less on the logistics of moving and more on the cultural and emotional aspects of making such a big change in your life.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• It is only natural to be drawn to people who you already have a connection with and resonate with.
• Remember that other people see you as a stranger, in the same way you see them as strangers.
• Switching your thinking and considering yourself as the stranger reminds you to adopt a persona that makes others feel comfortable.
• You get to choose how you come across when you meet someone for the first time.
• Being warm and friendly with everyone makes it easier for them to connect with you.
• Look at how the other person chooses to be and adapt a bit to meet them where they are. But still be yourself, authenticity matters.
• Understand the merits others see in you and play up to them a little, while toning down the things you know put them off. This is part of being culturally sensitive.
• Talk to people who share habits or common interests or concerns with you.
• Be genuinely open minded and willing to try things, but don´t participate in anything that does not sit well with you.

BEST MOMENTS

“Naturally, looking out we regard everyone around us as strangers, but we are also regarded as strangers when we step into a new country.”

“If I related to it as, “Oh, here we go again”. I diminished the promise of what that interaction could yield.”

“Different modes of behaviour work in different cultural settings.”

“No matter how much we acclimatize to a country, community will start with strangers.”

“I like any “in” that gets me to know the people locally.”

“You are breaking the ice, but it's on your terms, so you're not breaking a sweat.”

ABOUT THE HOST: Clare Kay is a seasoned global traveller and professional with a rich background in international sales, customer service, and personal development. From selling books and television programs internationally to teaching English as a foreign language and proofreading for non-native speakers, Clare’s career has always been globally focused. Her extensive travels for business have given her first-hand experience with numerous cultures. Having moved countries multiple times—from the UK to Zambia, China, Taiwan, Nigeria, and the USA—Clare brings a wealth of direct experience. Her podcast ‘Moving Countries 101’ is an extension of her lifelong commitment to international engagement and cultural understanding.

CONTACT METHOD

www.kayproofreading.com

www.linkedin.com/in/clarekay

https://www.facebook.com/KayProofreading

Join my Facebook page: Moving Countries 101 with Clare Kay.

bit.ly/MovingCountries101

In this episode, Clare talks about the six pillars you need to connect deeply with your new country: food, language, traditions, relationships, history and values. Fortunately, provided you are willing to take the time, you will find connecting using these pillars very enjoyable.

Clare shares her approach to learning all about a new country. A simple, yet effective approach that will work for anyone regardless of where they relocate to.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Don´t just experience life on the periphery, connect with the heart of your new country.
• Food really is a gateway to culture. Everyone eats, most people love doing it and are very passionate about their nation´s cuisine. So you connect deeply through food.
• When people invite you to join them for dinner, take them up on that offer. It´s a great entry point.
• Eating with local people opens up the chance to build multiple pillars at once.
• Learning even a few words of your new country´s language makes a huge difference.
• Using your new language will help you to pick up on cultural differences and nuances.
• Learning about and respecting traditions is important.
• You can still show respect for traditions you don’t fully agree with and do so without undermining your own values and beliefs.
• Foster relationships.
• Learning the history and enjoying some of the experiences the locals love shows respect. Your new friends and neighbours will really appreciate it.
• Understanding the values of your new country is the best way to fit in faster.
• Be mindful and respectful of the values of others, but don´t lose sight of yours.

BEST MOMENTS

“Food is the gateway to a culture.”

“There are many things that can create interesting and stimulating conversation that start with food.”

“In learning a language, you also end up learning nuances and cultural preferences.”

“There are some wonderful experiences of tradition that can be challenging or engaging. Either way, it's really worth it when we persevere and get to know them.”

“Showing an interest in the history of a place is a great way to get some context for why things are the way they are.”

ABOUT THE HOST: Clare Kay is a seasoned global traveller and professional with a rich background in international sales, customer service, and personal development. From selling books and television programs internationally to teaching English as a foreign language and proofreading for non-native speakers, Clare’s career has always been globally focused. Her extensive travels for business have given her first-hand experience with numerous cultures. Having moved countries multiple times—from the UK to Zambia, China, Taiwan, Nigeria, and the USA—Clare brings a wealth of direct experience. Her podcast ‘Moving Countries 101’ is an extension of her lifelong commitment to international engagement and cultural understanding.

CONTACT METHOD

www.kayproofreading.com

www.linkedin.com/in/clarekay

https://www.facebook.com/KayProofreading

In this episode, Clare once again takes a look at a practical aspect of moving abroad, which an awful lot of people fail to pay enough attention to. She explains why what you take with you and how you get it there is very important.

We all have things that we would struggle to live without. For some it is a treasured possession that has great sentimental value and for others it is a person or pet. Still, others have activities and hobbies that make a huge difference when it comes to physical, emotional or mental wellbeing. Clare has moved abroad multiple times, so the advice and strategies she provides to tackle the task of packing and leaving some things behind really do work.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• We all have things we would struggle to live without. Finding a way to take them with you or leave them behind on your terms can play a big role in how well you settle in a new country.

• If an item is particularly precious to you, pack it in a way that ensures it won´t be broken and can easily be accessed upon your arrival.

• If you want to continue to pursue a hobby or activity while you are living abroad, work out how you are going to do that before you actually move.

• Sometimes continuing to pursue your interests won´t be possible. In that case, consider what you might be able to do instead.

• Before you start to pack, prepare yourself emotionally. Organising everything and physically packing will have an impact on you.

• Getting started can be tough, Clare explains how to overcome this hesitancy.

• Start in one room, go through each item and ask yourself do I want to take this item? Do I need to take this item? And make two lists.

• Leaving someone who is very precious to you is hard. Clare shares several things you can do to make it more bearable.

BEST MOMENTS

“What is the one thing that you absolutely do not want to be without? Reflect on that and have that as your starting point.”

“If a hobby is not realistic, consider what you could do in its place that would bring about the same happy vibes.”

“Unprocessed emotions will follow us anywhere.”

“Surrender to expertise.”

“I wasn't needing the things. I needed that emotional journey of having the time to revisit and evoke memories.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

ABOUT THE HOST: Clare Kay is a seasoned global traveller and professional with a rich background in international sales, customer service, and personal development. From selling books and television programs internationally to teaching English as a foreign language and proofreading for non-native speakers, Clare’s career has always been globally focused. Her extensive travels for business have given her first-hand experience with numerous cultures. Having moved countries multiple times—from the UK to Zambia, China, Taiwan, Nigeria, and the USA—Clare brings a wealth of direct experience. Her podcast ‘Moving Countries 101’ is an extension of her lifelong commitment to international engagement and cultural understanding.

CONTACT METHOD

www.kayproofreading.com

www.linkedin.com/in/clarekay

https://www.facebook.com/KayProofreading