Stranger Danger When Abroad, Should You Be Worried?

In this episode, Clare talks about the importance of being open-minded enough to make friends with strangers when you move country – including those from different backgrounds or lives from yours. She shares tips to move past our instinctive “stranger danger” and connect more freely. Drawing on her own moves – from the UK to Africa, Asia, and the USA – Clare shows how cultural differences can become bridges rather than barriers.

Clare also launches her new Facebook Group – Moving Countries 101 with Clare Kay – a space focused on the cultural and emotional side of moving countries.

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 mover – with an international career in sales, customer service, personal development, and as a flight attendant. She has sold books and TV programs globally, taught English as a foreign language, and supported non-native speakers through proofreading. Her own global moves – from the UK to Zambia, China, Taiwan, Nigeria, and the USA – bring direct experience, and her global outlook has given her the growth and connections to support others in creating a life abroad. Through her podcast Moving Countries 101, Clare inspires listeners with the confidence and courage to make their own move – and continues the cultural conversation in her Facebook Group.

Join the conversation by clicking this link - Moving Countries 101 with Clare Kay

It’s a space for global movers – people choosing to build lives abroad – to prepare emotionally, culturally, and practically, and to turn cultural differences into connections.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/movingcountries101withclarekay/

https://www.tiktok.com/@movingcountries101

www.linkedin.com/in/clarekay

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