Footprints of an Expat

🌍Journey:  Egypt ->Germany -> Egypt ->Switzerland Today my guest is Nermin - an egyptian engineer,  a product quality coach for swiss banks and  mom to 2 french girls. In our conversation, we delve into broad range topics, from exploring how climate shapes different life and work rhythms, to the intriguing crossover of applying methods from work into private life. I have already known Nermin being a determined person while encountering her at work, and this half an hour also opened how mindful and well equipt for life she is.👉 Tips from Nermin that can help you along the way:Respecting time in Europe, where work and meetings are typically not scheduled super late.Discover the joys of life beyond late-night events, such as immersing oneself in nature or embarking on train adventures to neighbouring countries.Come to terms with the transient nature of relationships, understanding that while some may depart, the journey continues with new experiences and connections.Apply agility practises at life, as you might apply them at work  📎 Reach out to Nermin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nermin-elsayed-lesage/  📎 More about Evelina:https://linktr.ee/EvelinaRimkSupport the show

🌍Journey:  Lithuania -> Denmark  -> UAEWelcome to an inspiring episode that unveils the incredible journey of Aurelija Lapienene, a true powerhouse. In this conversation, Aurelija shares her fascinating path to success, providing a glimpse into her roles as a mother of two, global macro strategist, businesswoman, and triathlete. 👉 Tips from Aurelija that can help you along the way: Be adaptable and embrace the local culture and customs. Instead of focusing on complaints, strive to make the best out of your situation. Seek opportunities for personal growth and development that can enrich your future journeys.    Explore activities that truly resonate with your interests and passions. When relocating to Arab countries, approach your experience with humility. Understand that in certain regions, you may not always be at the top or the best in every situation. Embrace the opportunity to learn from the local community and adapt to their unique practices.Building connections and networking is essential for success in a new environment. Simply sending out resumes and hoping for the best is not enough. Take the initiative to be proactive, engage with individuals, and actively seek opportunities to connect with potential employers.  📎 Reach out to Aurelija: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aurelija-augulyte-lapieniene-cfa-cmt-8910054 /https://yalabucha.ae/  📎 More about Evelina:https://linktr.ee/EvelinaRimkSupport the show

🌍Journey:  Germany -> Sweden  -> SwitzerlandToday my guest is Lisa Schnurpfeil - Applications Service Owner and Engineer at Julius Baer. Our paths have crossed at various events, and I've always been captivated by Lisa's exceptional ability to navigate her priorities, embodying a resilient attitude and insightful reflections on her journey. This young woman exudes strength, prompting my eagerness to delve deeper into understanding her secret.  👉 Tips from Lisa that can help you along the way:Just do it. If it is what you are already thinking about it - just try it.Remember to see the positive side.  📎 Reach out to Lisa:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-schnurpfeil-aa976a204/https://www.instagram.com/L_Schnurpfeil  📎 More about Evelina:https://linktr.ee/EvelinaRimkSupport the show

🌍Journey:  Greece -> France  -> SwitzerlandToday I have talked with Georgia Barnasa - a woman full of energy, inspiration and ideas. She is an ambassador of using technology for our benefit, and knowing how to use it correctly. It is a very powerfully charged talk, with lived experiences and a big gratitude to the country at which we both are guests. 👉 Tips from Georgia that can help you along the way:If money is your motivation, do not come to Switzerland. It wont work here so straight forward, it is not a cheap country to stay in. Even more, people will feel it, sense that you are not going to stay and avoid building strong relationships with you. Keep in mind the schedule and the habits of local people. As a newcomer you might need to adjust at the beginning a bit more. If you want to integrate, it is you who needs to take an extra mile.Identify what is an offering package you are bringing with you into a new country and to the people you are about to meet.Be open, be transparent, be honest.Life without appreciation is a sad life. We need to find happiness in the smallest things.  📎 Reach out to Georgia:https://www.linkedin.com/in/barnasageorgia/  📎 More about Evelina:https://linktr.ee/EvelinaRimkSupport the show

🌍Journey:  Poland -> Germany, the Netherlands  -> SwitzerlandMeet Alex - a woman on a mission to redesign female health through nutrition & founder of Moonchy -  a Swiss startup specializing in innovative food solutions designed to sync with the feminine cycle and to support it 💫 Her decision to start a company without compromise in all aspects - environmentally friendly packaging, sustainable product production, no sugar usage - is only a small part of her fascinating journey through countries and life. 👉 Tip from Alex that can help you along the way:Be yourself and do something that is important for you, what makes an impact. This way you could meet like minded people  📎 Reach out to Alex:https://www.moonchy.com/ /Instagram /alexplaza@moonchy.comSupport the show

🌍Journey:  Iran ->  France, Italy -> SwitzerlandIn today's episode, we have a heartful and spiritually calming guest for you - Anisa Zafar. Through our talk, I was surrounded by her wise energy and gratitude for life.Anisa, who introduces herself as Iranian-Italian, is a coach and meditation teacher. She has published meditation cards that you can find on her website. She also organizes meditative intuitive painting seminars and is working on publishing her book!We talked about creativity, physical and inner movements through different countries, the power of changing perspective from victim to hero of our own lives, and many more insightful topics. One of the special topics Anisa reflected on is grieving the country we leave and how to live with it. 👉 Valuable tips from Anisa that can help you along the way: Keep a positive mindset with you. Try to see everyone as a person and trust you will attract good people in your lifeStop expecting people to be exactly like you. If we let go such expectations, we reduce the chance of sufferingLearn the language of a new country, so that you could speak to people in their languageTrust that there are good and kind people everywhere If you were forced to leave your country - try to find inspiration why you are on this journey and what you are looking for.  📎 Reach out to Anisa:www.treeoflifeguru.com /LinkedIn /Instagram /infoanisa@treeoflifeguru.comSupport the show

🌍Journey: Serbia -> SwitzerlandMaja has a unique perspective on life, as she leads two parallel lives in both Switzerland and Serbia. During our conversation, we discussed how she has learned to appreciate the differences between these two cultures, and how she has created a beautiful balance between them.👉 Valuable tips from Maja that can help you along the way:Firstly, it's important to be true to yourself and stay true to your beliefs and values. However, it's also crucial to be diplomatic and cautious in your interactions with others.Building relationships with people from different backgrounds is also important, especially those with whom you naturally connect.It's best to avoid burning bridges or having big fights, as the world is smaller than we think, and we never know when we might cross paths with someone again.Creating connections and contacts before arriving in a new country can be incredibly helpful, as the "6 degrees of separation" rule often applies.Remember to be brave, curious, and open to creating your own support group, and be aware that you and your friends may change over time.📎 Reach out to Maja:https://sharingtribe.tech /www.linkedin.com/in/maja-schreiner/https://www.instagram.com/sharingtribe/maja.schreiner@gmail.comSupport the show

🌍Journey:   Lithuania -> France, Canada, Australia, Switzerland -> France A self-labelled explorer at heart, Ieva usually says the most fun fact about her is that she managed to live in 3 different continents over a period of 3 months. Even though she was born and raised in Lithuania, Ieva completed her Bachelor’s in Political Science at universities in France and Australia. Ieva has worked as an education content creator and editor in a Lithuanian EdTech startup and recently spent 6 months in the Swiss Deloitte cybersecurity consulting team. Currently, Ieva is in Paris, finishing her Master’s degree in International Security. 👉Main tips from Ieva:Choose secure data connection instead of open free wifi’sDouble question yourself before clicking on anythingStart travelling first, then emigrate if you feel like to. Find your place that suits you. Know why you want to go there and what your goal is. 📎 Reach out to Ieva: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ievasalnaiteSupport the show

🌍Journey:   United Arab Emirates (originally from Somaliland) -> SwitzerlandToday I have a great story for you, followed by laughter and sincere admiration of the world. My guest is Hanna (Mohamed Abdi) Meiga - an original Somalian, born and raised in Abu Dhabi. She calls herself a Third culture kid. Also our talk has multiple layers, colors and countries. Hanna lives a life with an open heart. She proactively approaches people to build connections. For example, on her first day of arrival she was already planning to meet a person she had met on the plane. Also, started to learn basic German phrases on her 2nd day in Zurich. As a traveler Hanna preferred to visit small and sometimes illegal places to experience local culture. 👉Main tips from Hanna:Read about the country before you arrive thereSee the do’s and don'ts. Respect them. There might be not everything you could agree with, but it is not your countryTry to learn the languageHave both local and expat friendsFind an activity to engage in. Make a routine to go out.Do not stick to what you know, as that leads to disconnect you from the country 📎 Reach out to Hanna: hanna.meigag@gmail.com  /https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanna-meigag-2664661b/ /https://www.instagram.com/hanna_meigag/Support the show

🌍Journey:  China -> Poland -> Switzerland Today we are travelling from China to Poland and Switzerland, together with a very insightful woman from Generation Z - Sherry (Jiahang) Zou. My longest podcast so far, and still I think I just scratched the topics a bit. She has background in Logistic, HR, Law, Teaching, CEO support, and has active networks in various business institutions, academic societies and other areas in China,  In Switzerland, she works as Social Media Manager at SharingTribe and Management Assistance and HR Lead at FE +MALE Think Tank. 👉Main tips from Sherry:Be brave one second longerDo not make conclusions about a person from one-time interactions; especially if the first impression is judgmental. Know a person first. Do not have too high expectations for people. Everyone might be busy with their lives. Instead, try to look at what you could give to them first.Use a “I am new here” card and continue asking questions to learn and know more about the country you are inEnjoy what you have instead of chasing what you wantRespect people and try to understand then more,  do not draw conclusions from the first meeting. 📎 Reach out to Sherry:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherry-jiahang-zou /https://instagram.com/sh.erri9859?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Support the show

🌍Journey:  UK -> The US, Australia, Thailand, Spain Today in the show I introduce you to Jessica Grace Coleman - Jess. She is Travel Transformation Coach, founder of Flip The Script Travel Transformation Services and digital Nomad. 👉  Special quote from Jess:  we are all problem solvers in our life. If we could solve then at home, there is no reason we will not solve them while being on a road. 👉Main tips from Jess:Make sure your phone is charged.Do not get drunk with people you do not know.If you are an introvert, plan a bit in advance and make sure you have a place to recharge.Practise intentional travelling, learning- what you want to learn about you and your life. 📎 Reach out to Jess:info@traveltransformationcoach.com / https://www.instagram.com/traveltransformationcoach/ / https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagracecoleman/ / https://traveltransformationcoach.com/ /https://www.tiktok.com/@traveltransformationSupport the show

🌍Journey:  Poland -> American countries, Ireland, Spain-> Switzerland.My guest today is Barbara Favre (Basia).Basia is a traveller who likes people and discoveries. She has lived in Switzerland since 2009.She has a background in customer service and operations, and holds a Master degree in tourism management. Be it in business or private life, fostering positive relationships is her passion and strength. She is a strong believer in equality, diversity, and the magic power of kindness. 👉3 main tips from Basia:Stay open mindedBe respectfulNetwork📎 Reach out to Basia:barbara.favre1@gmail.com /https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-basia-favre-778a5828/Support the show

🌍Journey:  Austria -> Switzerland.My guest today is Pia Wiedermayer - my dear friend, colleague and a Quality Assurance Specialist at heart. Her passion for software quality brought her from Vienna, Austria to Zurich, Switzerland in 2013. Her passion for cheese, chocolate and her Swiss husband made her stay. 👉Few take aways from a talk with Pia:No matter how long you stay in the country, be respectful, show interest in the culture, in the people. If you stay longer, try at least to understand the language. Be patient with yourself - give time to settle and find out how things work out in a new country.If you have missed Austrian food, you have missed Austria.Even if things do not work out well, we still learn from them.📎 Reach out to Pia:https://www.piawiedermayer.com/ /https://www.linkedin.com/in/piawiedermayer/ /https://twitter.com/qualitypassion /https://www.greatestquality.ch/ /pia.wiedermayer@gmail.comSupport the show

🌍Journey:  Germany -> Switzerland , Spain, Thailand, Cameroon, PR China, United Kingdom, the Philippines -> Switzerland This is already my third season, when I open the doors to glance at experiences and journeys of the podcast guests. If you are listening to this, I am glad you made it so far, joining me in discussions and reflecting about beautiful lives happening around us. Today I have a warm and gentle talk with Natalie Bertsch - a global nomad at heart. She left her footprints on three continents. Went to live in Asia, integrated herself in foreign and large cities like Shanghai, and then came back to Switzerland. She lives in Bern with her family. Natalie works as Program Manager at Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. Additionally, she is a co-leader of Lean In Network Switzerland. Lean In events was indeed where I met Natalie, and we stayed in touch afterwards.Natalie also published a book call the global nomad club. I would like to share a quote, which might be familiar to many expat souls: 👉 Holding you. Just before long enough - a plane always meant to leave. Running back to you. How could you let me go? Will I still kiss you next year in the spring? Dreams of feeling whole in tiny time bubbles. A collection of happy squares. Scattered across my world. 👉Great quotes from a talk with Natalie:Be yourself and be authentic. Do not force thingsEven if you stay as you are, there is always a place to take another step to get closer to othersObserve where you are for the long time and accept the culture. Accept people as they are without expectations them to change 📎 Reach out to Natalie:https://globalnomadclub.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-bertsch-7939a48b/ natalie.bertsch@gmail.com Support the show

🌍Journey: Egypt -> Germany  -> Switzerland ->  Germany12 years ago, Mohamed decided that it is time not only to visit new countries as a tourist, but live there to experience the culture and social surroundings abroad. His journey took him from Egypt to Germany and Switzerland.He insisted on being sent abroad for his working assignment, till he got a project in Germany. And then the fun and challenges started, as he was faced with a culture quite different than his own. We're all strangers in our own way. Strangeness is actually a default, and while travelling we expose ourselves to that strangeness. I admit I was reflecting on this idea  a lot. It is so often we oversee the gap to be closed between being strangers and being accepted. It takes work and time…👉Tips from Mohamed:Be yourself and be authentic. Do not force thingsEven if you stay as you are, there is always a place to take another step to get closer to othersObserve where you are for the long time and accept the culture. Accept people as they are without expectations them to change 📎 Reach out to Mohamed:https://www.instagram.com/mohamedheshamamin /https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohamin /mhesham.amin@gmail.com Support the show

Journey:  USA-> Germany (4 months - then 5 months) ->  other countries shorter (like Mexico 3x, including 10 weeks)-> SwitzerlandBorn and raised outside Washington, D.C. with a Swiss dad and Colombian-Belgian-Danzig mom, Christina travelled internationally from a young age, mostly to Switzerland to visit her grandparents on the farm. During her teenage and young adult years, she went on many volunteer trips, mostly to Spanish-speaking countries. She has been to five continents, about 20 countries, and 37 of the United States.Christina has lived in Switzerland for almost 14 years and worked at UBS and Rothschild Bank before switching to a fintech startup four years ago. She completed her MBA when pregnant with her daughter and is now mom to three kids under 7. She, her husband and her kids live with their cat in Olten. As a creative outlet, Christina just launched a blog with everyday tips and ideas for moms. She loves to read, do puzzles and cook food from around the world.👉Takeaways from ChristinaHome is where small routines and attachments are established, be it a coffee stand or vegetable seller.Getting back to things we did as children, be it books, puzzle or other games, help us to get grounded and create a world for ourselves.Sometimes life brings us the point to learn to take care of ourselves.  As a result, new doors for a slower-paced and rewarding life are opened. The world will be there for us after we are back from our little break, and we all need that break.If you are on expat journey, take gratitude and humour sense.📎 Reach out to Christina:https://www.headofmomperations.com /https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-smith-lutz-1257bb84/ Support the show

🌍Journey: Czech Republic -> UK  -> Italy ->  Spain ->  Germany -> Hong Kong -> Spain  -> SwitzerlandToday I have an amazing guest for you - Daniela Ivanovová. She comes from Czech Republic and is a Personal Colour and Image Archetype Analyst currently living in Zurich, Switzerland.Daniela is a very mindful person, knowing herself and her personality. That helps her to analyze the world around her and make the necessary decisions to move forward. She has shared useful tips, on how to create life and maintain valuable relationships while being an expat  We have talked about a temporary mindset. By seeing experiences as temporary, we are able to enjoy the positives of the situation and blend out the negatives.👉Tips from Daniela,  if you struggle to make friends abroad:Don’t have a fixed idea about what your friends will look like (e.g. your friends might end up being much older than you are)!Don’t sell yourself short so that you don’t get burned!Maybe you don’t need a close friend at every stage of your life. This mindset might help you lift the pressure!📎 Reach out to Daniela:www.styleidentity.ch / info@styleidentity.ch /www.linkedin.com/in/danielaivanovova / www.instagram.com/daniela.ivanovova/Support the show

🌍Journey: Lithuania -> Germany  -> NetherlandsToday I have prepared a positively charged discussion with my guest Ausra Vitkute, who was born and raised in a small town in Lithuania. At 24, she moved to Germany with a Master's Degree in Banking and without a career plan. As one of the few women in supply chain finance, she worked her way up to Hornbach, L’Oreal and Coty. After a promotion to Professional Global Finance Manager, she relocated to Amsterdam to work at the head office.Ausra has always challenged herself with unknown situations and learning new things. In our talk, Ausra shares stories from her recipes and a drill to create a new home in a new place👉Tips from Ausra:Find a nice apartment and a district, where you could see and meet peopleStart doing sportsConnect with the neighboursUse various platforms to find interesting events📎 Reach out to Ausra:https://www.instagram.com/ausravit/?hl=en / https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitkute// https://www.facebook.com/ausra.vitSupport the show

🌍Journey: Belarus -> USA  ->  SwitzerlandToday I have a wonderful guest to you and I am excited to introduce you to Iryna Geachter. Iryna is a Business Analyst at one of the biggest banks in Switzerland. We met each other while I was working there too. We connected and I really loved her energy, her personality and her way to live a fulfilled life. In our talk, we reflected on her journey from Belarus to Switzerland. It is a beautiful story that shows us, that the universe waits for us to understand, what we really want. And then only we see our dreams come true. 👉Tips from Iryna:In our lives, it is quite often that other people help us to succeed. So this is why we need to stay positive and open to social interactions. If you are moving - do not be afraid. In most cases, it will be the best that happened to you in your life.Alone everything is very difficult. And with friends, everything is easier.📎 Reach out to Iryna:https://www.instagram.com/happy_in_switzerland/Support the show

🌍Journey: South Africa -> Australia, Germany, Switzerland ->  AustraliaThis was what Georgina told about herself:"I was born in Cape Town, South Africa during the Apartheid era. At the age of 6, I left my homeland and made the journey to Sydney, Australia. The decision to go was not mine...my mother decided for us! I remember the silly questions I got asked...like, did you have a lion in your backyard? And the laughter at my accent. That was the first of many moves and the start of a lifelong journey of discovery, standing out, fitting in, belonging.Now I find myself back in Australia after living in Switzerland for 7 years, and this time I decided on behalf of my own family to make the move. A decision that not everyone has accepted!"👉Tips from Georgina:While visiting or moving to a new country, try to learn the language, even a few words. People appreciate your effort and it makes things much easierDo not choose only the international community meetings, as they might not always help you to feel the society you are in.  Reach out to localsJoin an association that reflects your interests📎 Reach out to Georgina:frau.sylvester@gmail.comSupport the show