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© 2024 We are here, too - on mental health abroad
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Welcome to "We are here, too," an insightful podcast exploring the ebbs and flows of life abroad and its profound impact on mental health. Join me, a counsellor with two decades of experience outside my homeland, Italy, and a background in counselling and psychotherapy, as I share stories of life abroad. Whether you consider yourself a migrant, an expatriate, a foreigner, a digital nomad or a wandering soul, embark on a journey of self-discovery while gaining valuable insights into the everyday struggles faced by those who have chosen to build their lives in foreign lands. Don't forget to subscribe and share if you find it engaging. Thank you for tuning!
28 Episodes
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Ever found yourself in a foreign land, feeling the weight of solitude pressing down on you? My journey through the highs and lows of living abroad brought me face to face with the challenges of cultural adjustments and finding a place of belonging. In our latest discussion, I share the realities of navigating loneliness and stress in a new country. With the aid of therapy and self-care, I've learned to combat these feelings and want to offer you the same sense of hope and connection I've foun...
This episode was a long one coming, and I hope it invites you to extend curiosity to those experiences that are often at the edge of our life abroad. If you want to deepen some of the topics discussed in this episode, I would recommend:Hard truth 1: S3E2: People-pleasing abroad: maintaining identity amidst cultural adaptationHard truth 2: S1E2: Unpacking culture shock and S1E12: Tapping into your powerHard truth 3: S1E8: Remember your whyLet me know what you think of this episode!-------...
Have you ever pondered where you truly belong? This week, I invite you on a heartfelt exploration of 'home' and belonging as we unravel how our sense of place shapes our mental landscape. We will venture through Scottish (and Northern European) folklore, where personal tales of finding comfort in the unfamiliar intertwine with the collective experiences of those who've ventured far from their birthplaces. We delve into the notion that 'home' transcends mere geography, morphing into the relati...
Edit: I've just realised I opened this episode saying, "In Season 4 Episode 1", when I actually meant "Season 1 Episode 4".--Have you ever felt the weight of guilt gnawing at you physically while living miles away from home? This episode peels back the layers to reveal how guilt triggers neural networks, stirs muscle tension, disrupts our digestive and respiratory systems, and hijacks our emotional well-being. You'll discover the science behind these physical reactions and understand why your...
In today's episode, I talk about people pleasing when living abroad and how it may take on the role of integrating us into the new country.Transitioning to life in a new country comes with its own emotional rollercoaster, a journey that many of us know all too well. This episode addresses the fine line between adapting and losing oneself. With heartfelt stories and practical advice, today's episode is a message of hope for those balancing the desire to please with the courage to stand fi...
Emerging from a long hiatus, I, Francesca, return to the microphone with a tale that resonates deep within the heart of anyone who's ever found themselves rooted in foreign soil. This episode peels back the layers of identity shaped by the lands we call home and the internal tug-of-war between assimilation and authenticity. This conversation is a gentle nudge to embrace the richness of our heritage and the unique stories it weaves into our lives. It's about finding strength in our foreig...
Let me take you on a journey, a journey that many of us have experienced, but few have recounted - the emotional rollercoaster of going back home to our host country after the holidays. The thrill of the unfamiliar, the pang of homesickness, and the inevitable culture shock - they're all part and parcel of living abroad. We're going to dig deep into these feelings, giving voice to what many of us have felt but struggled to express. But living abroad isn't just about the places we visit o...
Ever find yourself longing for the comfort of familiar faces while stationed in a new country? Have you ever realized that the people in your host country now know more about your current life than those back home? Join me as I share my personal experiences of living abroad, discussing the nuanced dynamics of maintaining ties with home while fostering new relationships abroad. Balancing the expectations of visitors from home and honoring your own routines abroad can be a thorny issue. Ho...
Going on holidays to your home country or returning home after living abroad can feel like stepping into a parallel universe. As your host, Francesca, I reveal how I navigated my own journey through this disorienting maze in an episode dedicated to the fascinating subject of reverse culture shock. With the backdrop of an Italian native living in Scotland, I take you through my personal experiences of readjusting to life in a familiar place that somehow feels unfamiliar. Together, we'll explor...
Ever sat alone in a foreign place during the holiday season, wrestling with the decision of whether to go home or not? You're not alone. Join me as I bare my soul and share my own rollercoaster of emotions - the initial fear, the white lie to protect my joy, the dread, and the eventual acceptance - that came with my decision to stay abroad during the holidays.In this personal journey, I unpack the feelings and tough conversations that followed my choice - conversations that tested...
What if your feelings of homesickness could reveal deeper insights about your personal values and life stages? As I, your host Francesca, grappled with an overwhelming sense of homesickness on my recent trip to Sicily, I discovered just how multifaceted this emotion truly is. This episode takes you on my personal journey as I try to comprehend my longing for home, and how it reflects the shifts in my values and outlook on life.Tune in as I dissect the complicated facets of homesickness, stemm...
Remember those golden holidays back home, surrounded by familiar faces, savouring traditional delicacies and getting immersed in the joyous festivities? These memories can stir up a mixed bag of emotions, especially for those of us living overseas. In this engaging discussion, we unpack those complex feelings of nostalgia, longing, and sometimes, shock and frustration, that bubble up during such holidays. As we walk down memory lane, we scrutinize the inevitable comparisons we make between ou...
Ever thought escaping to a holiday destination would leave your problems behind? Well, it may not always be the case. Join me as I uncover the importance of accountability and fostering trust in our ability to instigate positive change with an emphasis on self-care. I will talk about the physical toll of stress, the importance of breaks, and how to anchor ourselves in activities and people amidst the chaos. Drawing from our personal experiences, we shed light on the crucial lessons ...
In this podcast episode, we delve into the intricacies of mental health when living abroad. Join me as we explore the often unspoken topic of holiday guilt experienced by those navigating life in a foreign land. Through first-hand stories and a fresh perspective, I share the complex emotions and unique challenges that arise when taking time off from your life abroad. Gain valuable insights and a deeper understanding of managing guilt during holiday breaks while understanding why guilt is ther...
We are opening Season 2 "The holiday experience" talking about needs. We delve into the world of travel, uncovering the unique needs that arise when going on holidays as a foreigner. From navigating relationship dynamics to managing emotional well-being, join me as we unravel the intimate connection between needs and boundaries. Gain insights and understanding on meeting your holiday needs while living abroad. Tune in to this insightful episode and embark on a journey of self-disco...
In this week's episode, we will talk about tapping into our power when we live abroad by recognising our agency. What is agency? Agency is the capacity of all individuals to have the power and resources to fulfil their potential. So how does that play about when we move abroad? Listen to this episode to learn more.---------We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland.We are here, too exists than...
Friendships and intimate relationships when living abroad can feel like family. In this episode I talk about the complexity of relationships when they intersect with our life abroad. ---------We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland.We are here, too exists thanks to the support of friends, family and those of you whose testimony of life abroad inspired me. Thank you!Host and editor: Francesca...
When I first set foot in Scotland, the newness of everything was overwhelming, especially the language. The accent, the slang, their way of expression put me in a state of constant exertion - to grasp, to comprehend and to respond. Navigating through these linguistic hurdles wasn't just draining, it was a mental battle that triggered self-doubt, stress, and anxiety. Join me, Francesca, your host, as we delve into how the struggle to communicate in a foreign language can greatly affect our men...
Imagine packing your bags, leaving home, and settling in a foreign land. A thrilling adventure, isn't it? But what happens when the excitement fades and is replaced with a feeling of failure, disappointment and a crisis of identity? I'm your host Francesca, an Italian living in Scotland, and today, I'm opening up about my rollercoaster journey of self-discovery and mental health abroad in the past two decades. An adventure that's seen its fair share of ups and downs, and taught me critical li...
An invitation to remember the reasons for moving abroad and to explore whether your why may have changed over the years.And if you want to read more about it, you can check out my blog post.---------We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland.We are here, too exists thanks to the support of friends, family and those of you whose testimony of life abroad inspired me. Thank you!Host and editor: Frances...
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