Taking Route

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A Welcome Letter to Our Expat Community

Dear Expat,Did you land here by some random Facebook post shared by your cousin's cousin?  Or have you been following along for years?  Either way, Welcome!Let me take the time to explain exactly what we mean by an expat.  Expat: someone who is doing life in a different country than the one printed on your passport.  We at Taking Route are a community of expats for expats. If you need a laugh, encouragement, advice, or just need reminded you aren't alone--we're here for you.Whatever your reason for moving abroad: Peace Corps, Foreign Service, USAID, NGO, military, retired volunteer, missionary, teacher, gap year, study abroad, digital nomad, entrepreneur, job relocation, overseas assignment, small business owner, married a local, stay-at-home spouse, second home overseas, TCK…Whether you're single or married, with or without kids, a parent or grandparent…Whether you chose this life or circumstances dictated that you move abroad...Whether you're about to move overseas, have been in your host nation for a while, or you've already transitioned back home…Whether you're surrounded by a local expat community or out there on your ownAsia. Africa. South America. North America. Middle East. Europe. Australia. The Islands. Even Antarctica!...Whether your host country speaks your native language, or not…Whether you're an adult TCK trying to figure out life in your passport country…Wherever you're from (if you have a place you consider "home"), if you're trying to figure out life in a new country, or even one you've been in for a while…Whether your move is temporary or you're there long-term…If you understand what it's like to live somewhere foreign to you, to adjust to a new culture, new cuisine, new people, and to struggle with the small stuff, like buying groceries or using the toilet…Expatriates share common experiences whether living in the African bush or an Asian mega city.   Standing out is our normal.  Try something new is our motto.  Embracing our host culture is our anthem.  Community is our chorus.  You belong here!

Welcome, Expat.

You're Home.  

Stay a while! Browse our

podcast archives

or check out some of our other popular posts and episodes below:

Where There Is a Doctor, but You Don't Trust Him

Tongue-Tied? Blame Your Affective Filter

Is It Time to Go Home? (And How Do I Know?)

Culture Change, Identity Shift

The Fears of a New Expat Mom

12 Reasons My Home Will Never Be Featured on HGTV

No Such Thing as a Simple Errand

Raising Little Travelers (And One Reason You May Not Want To)

10 Things that Change Once You've Lived Overseas

Podcast Episode 02: Transparency in Expat Marriage with Collette Hernandez

Podcast Episode 06: Choosing Joy over Fear with Ruth Ripken

Podcast Episode 10: The Trade-Offs of Expat Life with Elizabeth

Podcast Episode 15: Raising a Multiracial Family Abroad

Podcast Episode 16: Moving Forward in Brokenness with Julie Martinez

Now we want to here from you! What topics would you like to read about on Taking Route? Are there discussions you'd like to hear on the podcast?

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