In this episode, Clare talks through the four main challenges faced by global movers. Helping you to confront and overcome the challenges of - pressure to perform in a new job, changes in family dynamics, the logistics of finding new housing and adapting to a new culture.

Clare also announces a slight change of direction for her and introduces her new Facebook group, Moving Countries 101 with Clare Kay - a place for global professionals to share their experiences and seek advice.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• There is no grace period. From day one, you have to deliver results in your new job.
• If you do not perform in the job, you cannot look after your family, who are likely to already be feeling quite vulnerable.
• Each family member will be experiencing the move in a different way and be facing different challenges.
• Sometimes your spouse will not be legally able to work, which can affect the family dynamic.
• Even when a spouse can work they may not be able to stay on the career trajectory they were on previously.
• In many countries finding a new home throws up unexpected challenges e.g. all of the movers are booked up months in advance.
• Some cultural adaptions you will like, others you will struggle with.
• Even something that seems simple can be more challenging than you expect e.g. adapting to the weather.
• All of these pressures together have an accumulative effect which can mean that something relatively small knocks you off course.
• Clare is currently pulling together meaningful, practical and up to date resources to serve global professionals and their families as they settle into their new countries.

BEST MOMENTS

“The top four problems that nearly every global mover encounter are not just small inconveniences.”

“You often have to hit the ground running in your new job.”

“Sometimes the burden on you, the new hire, can be immense, because perhaps your family is going to follow you in a few months.”

“Each member of the family is having a unique experience and seeing life from their perspective.”

“You're not alone in your endeavours.”

“It's not that each challenge comes up in steps, they all come up at once.”

“This podcast has been a wonderful journey, and I am very grateful for everyone who's been there with me.”

RESOURCES

Join my Facebook Community Moving Countries 101 with Clare Kay by clicking or copying this link - bit.ly/MovingCountries101

It´s a space for you, for professionals, families, and individuals, preparing emotionally, culturally, and practically for life abroad.

Together, we focus on building confidence, curiosity, and courage for turning cultural differences into connections and creating fulfilling lives in new countries.

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 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

For this episode, Clare is joined by her long-term friend Matthew Young, who decided to move from the UK to Dubai when inspiration struck him during a shopping trip in the country. He shares what it is like to live in such a diverse country, adapting to working with so many people who do things differently from you and how to take full advantage of the high level of connectivity with the rest of the world that Dubai offers.

Matthew explains how he simply packed a bag and moved to Dubai. He shares how he arrived using a tourist visa and turned that into permanent residency.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Dubai is incredibly multi-national, which makes it a great place for people from everywhere to live.

• To live in Dubai, you have to be accepting of others and adapt to the fact that you are going to encounter multiple different ways of behaving.

• You really need to behave as a guest, even after you have been living in Dubai for many years.

• It is really easy to move to Dubai. You can arrive as a tourist, but if you want to stay getting a job is essential.

• The heat has an impact on the way the city works e.g. Everything is done online.

• Dubai is a virtually cashless society.

• The economy of Dubai is dependent on attracting new residents, so it is a great place to set up a business or work remotely.

• Like Singapore, Dubai is a very self-contained and locally controlled city.

• Dubai is not as expensive as you think.

• Remember that even though you live in Dubai some of your life will still be back in the UK. Work out how you are going to pull these two aspects together.

• The older you get the more the cost of your healthcare in Dubai goes up, so you may not be able to afford to live there all of your life.

• Your employer pays for your medical insurance, so if you lose your job, you lose that.

• Currently, the UAE is far more tolerant than its reputation suggests.

BEST MOMENTS

“The whole place was wondrous.”

“Everything is set up for digital…even the visa application process.”

“They want businesses to be here, and they want people to be successful because that helps the economy.”

“You see a country one way as a visitor, and you see it entirely differently as someone who's living there.”

“Dubai is in the middle of all sorts of places, so it's kind of equidistant to London and Bangkok.”

“Once you get a job, then you can open a bank account, then you can rent a place.”

“I'd say that since COVID, Dubai has become, a lot more relaxed in all sorts of things.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

Moving to Dubai - https://wise.com/gb/blog/moving-to-dubai-guide

ABOUT THE GUEST

Matthew moved to Dubai in January 2019 requiring a change of scenery and a fresh start. He was 49 at the time.

In the UK, he had a career in the City of London working in financial services before he set up his own property management business in 2004. He was married for 21 years and has one son.

Other than his professional interest in property management, Matthew is an avid supporter of Chelsea FC and have been qualified as a football referee since 1990.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewsyoung

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 solo episode of Moving Countries 101, Clare examines why people think that moving countries is the best way to start living the dream. She explains that while moving can help, it can sometimes make things worse. Especially, for someone that is struggling to recognise the positives and find joy in the life they are currently living.

Clare shares a simple mindset shift anyone can use to make living the dream a reality even if you cannot currently move countries. A change in the way you think that improves your enjoyment of life and your resilience. So, should you eventually find yourself able to move abroad it is far more likely to be a life-enhancing experience.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• How often do you dismiss the potential for joy and fulfilment simply because your life doesn't align with what you envisioned for yourself? i.e. fail to recognise and enjoy what is good about the life you already have.

• How you engage with the world determines whether you enjoy life and feel like you are living the dream.

• If you are frustrated with life, simply moving country is not going to solve all your problems.

• Regardless of how much you want to do it, moving countries, exposes you to higher levels of stress. Sometimes people end up feeling even less like they are living their dreams, especially during the early days.

• Moving countries does give you a fresh start but it is up to you what you do with that opportunity.

• Experiencing a new culture changes how you perceive things, it can help you to become more positive.

• To some extent we are a product of our environment e.g. living somewhere everyone is a go-getter can help you to become a bit more like that too.

BEST MOMENTS

“Many people think that moving countries is the path to living the dream.”

“Moving countries can be a powerful catalyst, a mirror reflecting what we value most and what we're most capable of .”

“The dream is not out there, it's something we cultivate within how we think, feel and engage with our surroundings .”

“Our environments leave a lasting imprint on us.”

“If moving countries feels out of reach… embrace discovery and transformation right where you are, without moving countries.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

The Magic of Thinking Big - https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Magic-of-Thinking-Big/dp/B015EXTAEO

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

For this episode, Clare is joined by Taylan Ali who was born in Eastern Turkey, close to the Armenian-Iranian border but moved to Istanbul as a child. He now lives in Amsterdam, Holland, but also spent time living in Berlin. Tylan was an architect in Turkey, primarily working on restoring important medieval buildings. Work he thoroughly enjoyed, yet at the age of 41 he shut his highly successful practice and began a new journey which eventually led to him becoming a healer.

During this revealing episode, Tylan and Clare discuss some of the lessons he learned from moving countries and adapting to different cultures. Importantly, doing so in a respectful way without losing touch with his own values and personality.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Learning the language and social rules when you move into a new society shows respect for your new community. But you need to be balanced and stay true to your own values as well.

• If you discover that you are not a good fit for your new country, it is better to move again rather than let pride and fear keep you living in a place that is not good for you.

• Before moving to a country, take time to understand the politics and culture. But, also be ready for things not being as you expect.

• Europe is culturally more diverse than many people realise. Tylan demonstrates this by comparing his time in Berlin with his life in Amsterdam, especially when it comes to the way populations protest.

• Because immigrants are initially looking at their new country as outsiders, they often see things in a different light than long-term citizens do.

• The Dutch are very practical people who are still mostly accepting of others who see things differently.

• Moving to a new country teaches you to be more resilient.

BEST MOMENTS

“They never teach you. You have to learn them (invisible rules/societal norms) by trial and error.”

“Istanbul is just between Asia and Europe, and it's just totally different.”

“In Turkey, it's more tribal and collective, and there's extreme individualism in the Netherlands.”

“It´s my tribe against your tribe - really, don't we have anything in common?”

“it took me, like, two years to understand the police is not going to do anything bad to me..”

“Having your base is very important, somewhere to go back to, no matter what. It’s so important.”

“ How can we be open and interested and receptive to things without losing ourselves?”

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.instagram.com/taylonipolati/

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

Today, Clare looks at preparing yourself mentally and emotionally for moving to another country, something that very few people do. As a result, many migrants feel overwhelmed by their move, often, even when that move is something they have dreamed of doing for decades.

To help you avoid finding yourself in this situation, Clare shares 5 short reflection exercises she has learned to do before moving to centre herself mentally and emotionally. Exercises that will also help you.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Be clear about your reasons for moving and note how you feel when you think about them.
• When moving as a family consider how the needs of each person can be met in your new country e.g. work, friendship, pursuing pastimes etc.
• Do some research and test your expectations of your new country. For example, don´t assume that because you speak the same language, communication and making friends will be easy. Factor in the need to adapt to the local culture.
• We all have items that bring us calm, e.g. a family ornament, prioritise taking them with you.
• Say goodbye to places as well as people when you move. Clare explains why in the episode.
• Ask yourself what you love about your home country to help you create strong memories that will bring you joy wherever you are.
• Don´t compare your home country with your new one. Instead, relish the new joys your new country brings.
• Prioritise self-care.

BEST MOMENTS

“Understand the deeper emotions behind your move.”

“Are your expectations based on anything you know, or are they based on what you want that destination country to be for you?”

“Take time to think about the people, the places that you hold dear, that you're carrying with you in your heart.”

“I don't have one foot in one country and one foot in another. I'm firmly stood in my destination country.”

“It's important to be connected to what is important to us to leave behind what isn't and take with us what is.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-nitty-gritty-of-getting-ready-to-move-countries/id1724940782?i=1000678342246

Ella episode - https://www.ivoox.com/travelling-across-the-world-with-no-belongings-audios-mp3_rf_126192110_1.html

Jennifer He episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/from-shanghai-to-canada-with-jennifer-he/id1724940782?i=1000668235888

Eat That Frog - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eat-That-Frog-Important-Things-ebook/dp/B01E4AQRAS.

Atomic Habits - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break-ebook/dp/B01N5AX61W

The Magic of Thinking Big - https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Magic-of-Thinking-Big/dp/B015EXTAEO

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