In this episode, Clare is joined by Lena Sheehan who is from Ireland and now lives in America and has raised her family there. She works for Boston University of Massachusetts in the Department of Journalism. Clare and Lena discuss what ties us to our home country and can make us reluctant to fully settle in a new country.

Lena spent several years living emotionally in two countries, she explains why that happened, the negative impact it had and how she eventually solved that problem. She also talks about the differences between the American and Irish cultures and how being an immigrant changes your perspective.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• What ties you to your home country evolves over time, especially if you arrive in a new place without the intention to stay there permanently.
• Once your family understands that you will never live in your home country again, the relationship shifts.
• Accepting the life you have now and taking advantage of the opportunities it offers helps you to settle.
• Immigrants are very driven. They have a strong desire to succeed and fit in.
• Eventually your emotional connection becomes weaker so that when you return to your home country, you feel like a holidaymaker.

BEST MOMENTS

‘I was still caught up in this notion that I was going to return to Ireland. ´

‘I got very tired of the freelancing, it can be very demeaning and demoralising.’

‘You can choose the bits that you want to keep from both places.’

‘I don't mind if they want to pretend to be Irish. But you have to do the work. You know, look at a map.’

ABOUT THE HOST

Clare has moved countries many times throughout her life, from China to Taiwan, Nigeria, Zambia, and the USA. She has also travelled the world for various businesses and now wishes to impart her advice to others to save them time, money, and energy.

Clare follows three principles central to her endeavours. First, she looks outward internationally, working with people overseas or of different nationalities. Second, she is obsessed with communication, having learned French, German and Mandarin Chinese. She also teaches English and works as an editor for others’ work. Clare is passionate about making a difference through her coaching in the world of personal development.

CONTACT METHOD

www.kayproofreading.com

www.linkedin.com/in/clarekay

https://www.facebook.com/KayProofreading

Podcast Description

When you move for a new job, to live with someone after a long-distance relationship or to explore the benefits of a new lifestyle, moving countries occurs as an opportunity, but it still might be a bumpy ride. Moving Countries 101 presents a paradox of moving to a new destination, but it being all about the journey: the ongoing experience of having moved countries.

Clare and her guests share the human stories of an ancient undertaking in modern times. Moving countries prompts change, and change provokes being unsettled emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. On all these fronts, moving countries promotes observation, opportunity, and discovery.

In this episode, Clare is joined by Andrew Thomas, a retired fire officer who is also a serving magistrate who recently moved from the UK to Antigua. He and Clare discuss why Andrew made the move and how CoVid brought the move forward.

Andrew talks about the differences between the culture of the UK and Antigua and how he and his wife have adapted to and learned to enjoy living on “island time.”

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Andrew was born, raised, and lived in London, but recently moved to Antigua where his and his wife´s parents were born.
• Being able to bring your family out to stay really helps keep everyone close.
• Everything on Antigua happens on island time. When someone says Monday, they actually mean Thursday.
• You need to accept that things are different, once you do and go with the flow more, you feel better and soon learn to do it the new way.
• There is no rat race in Antigua. It is a much more friendly place.
• Any training you have had in the UK is viewed as valuable on the island, which is something you can leverage to earn a living.
• If you want to move to another country, don´t just talk about it, sit down, and physically write out a plan to do it. Once you do that it is far more likely to happen.
• Create a couple´s dream.

BEST MOMENTS

‘We know it was god´s plan because it worked. ´

‘Chase them, but don´t be annoyed when chasing them.’

‘You´ve got to do it, you can´t just talk about it.’

ABOUT THE HOST – CLARE KAY

Clare has moved countries many times throughout her life, from China to Taiwan, Nigeria, Zambia, and the USA. She has also travelled the world for various businesses and now wishes to impart her advice to others to save them time, money, and energy.

Clare follows three principles central to her endeavours. First, she looks outward internationally, working with people overseas or of different nationalities. Second, she is obsessed with communication, having learned French, German and Mandarin Chinese. She also teaches English and works as an editor for others’ work. Clare is passionate about making a difference through her coaching in the world of personal development.

CONTACT METHOD

www.kayproofreading.com

www.linkedin.com/in/clarekay

https://www.facebook.com/KayProofreading

Podcast Description

When you move for a new job, to live with someone after a long-distance relationship or to explore the benefits of a new lifestyle, moving countries occurs as an opportunity, but it still might be a bumpy ride. Moving Countries 101 presents a paradox of moving to a new destination, but it being all about the journey: the ongoing experience of having moved countries.

Clare and her guests share the human stories of an ancient undertaking in modern times. Moving countries prompts change, and change provokes being unsettled emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. On all these fronts, moving countries promotes observation, opportunity, and discovery.

In this episode, Clare is joined by Jihyun from South Korea who is a high performer in the world of E-Commerce, and who now works as a mindset coach. She helps high-performing professionals to step things up even further while staying healthy and happy. Jihyun moved from South Koria to New Zealand then the UK.

Clare and Jihyun explore the differences between the cultures of South Korea and the UK. Jihyun explains how moving to New Zealand, then the UK improved her self-perception and confidence. A transformative experience that eventually led to her becoming interested in psychology and launching her mindset coaching business.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Language revolves around the culture. So, learning it helps you to fit in better on all levels.
• South Korean culture is all about food, this is reflected in the language.
• The language you use with older people is more formal which reflects how they are viewed in society.
• South Korea is far more technologically advanced.
• In South Korea there are still strong societal hierarchies. In the UK, it is much easier to be your true self.
• Having a perfect appearance is important in South Korea.
• South Korean dramas have started to challenge perceptions and societal norms.

BEST MOMENTS

‘Overall societal belief systems are the same in every country.’

‘I had a very hard time to love myself and to accept myself.’

‘People accept me as who I am.’

GUEST AND EPISODE RESOURCES

Korea Town UK - https://www.cordonbleu.edu/news/online-learning-student-article-sarah-geard/en

ABOUT THE HOST

Clare has moved countries many times throughout her life, from China to Taiwan, Nigeria, Zambia, and the USA. She has also travelled the world for various businesses and now wishes to impart her advice to others to save them time, money, and energy.

Clare follows three principles central to her endeavours. First, she looks outward internationally, working with people overseas or of different nationalities. Second, she is obsessed with communication, having learned French, German and Mandarin Chinese. She also teaches English and works as an editor for others’ work. Clare is passionate about making a difference through her coaching in the world of personal development.

CONTACT METHOD

www.kayproofreading.com

www.linkedin.com/in/clarekay

https://www.facebook.com/KayProofreading

Podcast Description

When you move for a new job, to live with someone after a long-distance relationship or to explore the benefits of a new lifestyle, moving countries occurs as an opportunity, but it still might be a bumpy ride. Moving Countries 101 presents a paradox of moving to a new destination, but it being all about the journey: the ongoing experience of having moved countries.

Clare and her guests share the human stories of an ancient undertaking in modern times. Moving countries prompts change, and change provokes being unsettled emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. On all these fronts, moving countries promotes observation, opportunity, and discovery.