PROMOTION

Because you're a We're Moving to Europe listener, you can get 15% off Marisa's pet travel planner or concierge services at Paws Abroad. Enter the code WMTE when you check out at https://www.pawsabroad.co/. (I'll receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase with this code.)

Episode Description

Bringing your pets along when you move abroad can feel overwhelming. Between airline rules, health certificates, and crate training, it’s easy to feel stressed about international pet relocation. On this episode of the We’re Moving to Europe podcast, Paws Abroad founder Marisa Hoskins shares her recommendations for planning your move with pets, how to make the journey easier for both you and them, and why you may have more – and better – options than you think.

Quote

“Don’t wait till the bitter end. Sign up three to six months in advance, so we can help you plan. That’s how you avoid quarantine, paperwork issues, and stress for both you and your pet.”

Useful Resources
We’re Moving to Europe Substack

We’re Moving to Europe Community

Paws Abroad

• (00:00) - Meet Annie, the Portuguese Podengo
• (00:48) - Welcome to We’re Moving to Europe
• (00:21) - Guest intro: Marisa Hoskins, founder of Paws Abroad
• (00:56) - Marisa’s first experience with international pet travel
• (00:14) - Launching her first pet company
• (00:32) - Why she built Paws Abroad
• (00:18) - The Pet Travel Planner explained
• (00:05) - Growing community & concierge services
• (00:20) - Myths about pet quarantine and cargo travel
• (00:01) - Paperwork, health certificates, and safe cargo travel
• (00:32) - Why planning 3–6 months ahead matters
• (00:29) - Common mistakes: carriers, bookings, breed restrictions
• (00:08) - Personalized support & peace of mind
• (00:46) - Other travel options: charters, cruises, new airline rules
• (00:18) - About the We’re Moving to Europe community
• (00:37) - Food & medication planning for pets
• (00:28) - Traveling with multiple pets & airline restrictions
• (00:15) - Best timing: why 6 months is ideal
• (00:26) - Advice for people worried it’s “too stressful”
• (00:36) - Free guide & final tips
• (00:41) - Community discount & contact info
• (00:28) - Wrap up & credits

[00:48] Welcome to We’re Moving to Europe

[01:21] Guest intro: Marisa Hoskins, founder of Paws Abroad

[01:56] Marisa’s first experience with international pet travel

[03:14] Launching her first pet company

[04:32] Why she built Paws Abroad

[05:18] The Pet Travel Planner explained
[06:05] Growing community & concierge services

[07:20] Myths about pet quarantine and cargo travel

[09:01] Paperwork, health certificates, and safe cargo travel
[10:32] Why planning 3–6 months ahead matters

[11:29] Common mistakes: carriers, bookings, breed restrictions

[13:08] Personalized support & peace of mind

[14:46] Other travel options: charters, cruises, new airline rules

[16:18] About the We’re Moving to Europe community

[17:37] Food & medication planning for pets

[20:28] Traveling with multiple pets & airline restrictions

[22:15] Best timing: why 6 months is ideal

[25:26] Advice for people worried it’s “too stressful”

[26:36] Free guide & final tips

[27:41] Community discount & contact info

[28:28] Wrap up & credits

Production Team

Host and Researcher: Casey Kelly – We’re Moving to Europe

Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas – Unscripted Creatives

Sound library

All the music was composed especially for the We’re Moving to Europe podcast by Sage Barton. Copyright 2025, Sage Barton.

B-Roll

Additional royalty-free footage curated via Pexels

Useful Resources

• The We're Moving to Europe Membership Community: Practical Support and Guidance for Planning your Move from the US to Europe
• We’re Moving to Europe Free Substack
• Karen Shopoff Rooff (LinkedIn)
• Personal Fit College Consulting

Production Team
Host and Researcher: Casey Kelly-Barton – We’re Moving to Europe

Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas – Unscripted Creatives

[0:03] Feeling overwhelmed about moving to Europe?
[0:10] Introducing the We're Moving to Europe community
[0:23] Learn at your own pace with expert support
[0:29] Monthly classes, tools, and resources
[0:37] Reliable, up-to-date information
[0:43] Practical guidance and early podcast access
[0:58] Helping you make your own decisions
[1:08] Find us at skool.com
[1:48] Welcome and intro to the episode
[2:19] Meet Karen Shopoff Rooff
[2:52] How Karen got into college coaching
[3:29] Addressing educational inequity
[4:18] Pandemic-era inspiration and early work
[5:07] Finding the right fit for students
[5:33] Dispelling college consultant myths
[6:05] Karen's international education story
[7:01] Life-changing London experiences
[8:18] Study abroad as a valuable experience
[9:05] Specialized training for international options
[10:14] Rise in interest for college abroad
[11:10] Factors driving interest in EU colleges
[12:19] Safety and intellectual freedom
[12:53] Why European college might be a better fit
[13:22] When it's *not* a good fit
[13:59] Maturity and independence required
[15:00] Financial considerations of EU degrees
[15:53] Housing challenges in the Netherlands
[16:42] Knowing your kid’s resilience
[17:39] Academic differences in EU colleges
[18:08] Transparent EU admissions process
[19:00] Application pre-reads and reduced guesswork
[20:05] Grading systems and assessment style
[21:16] High stakes grading vs busywork
[21:45] Program rigidity and flexibility differences
[22:21] Mini-courses and short modules
[23:13] Importance of time management skills
[24:05] FAFSA and financial aid in Europe
[25:14] Merit scholarships for international students
[26:03] Risks of switching programs
[26:51] A costly time zone mistake
[27:34] Tracking deadlines for scholarships
[28:28] Disability accommodations in EU colleges
[29:24] When to start planning for college abroad
[30:32] APs, IBs, and test prep importance
[31:41] Visiting EU schools and virtual tours
[32:45] Better virtual tours than in the US
[33:43] International student resources
[34:46] The emotional impact on families
[35:20] Family transitions and multiple moves
[36:14] When transition is harder than expected
[37:07] Supporting your child emotionally
[38:01] Normalize the fear of a big move
[38:26] Where to find Karen Shopoff Rooff
[39:16] Show credits and closing

Sound Library

All the music was composed especially for the We’re Moving to Europe podcast by Sage Barton. Copyright 2025, Sage Barton.

The Netherlands feels familiar to people because so many people speak English, and there are a lot of things from American culture that come from Dutch culture – Jana

The real question that everyone needs to ask themselves is, what do you want your life to look like? What kind of a country do you want to live in, and what kind of a country do you want your kids to live in? – Bethany

Useful Resources

• The We're Moving to Europe Membership Community: Practical Support and Guidance for Planning your Move from the US to Europe
• We’re Moving to Europe Free Substack
• Jana's Resource Facebook
• GTFO Tours
• Netherlands Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND)
• Funda (house hunting platform)

Production Team
Host and Researcher: Casey Kelly-Barton – We’re Moving to Europe

Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas – Unscripted Creatives

[0:03] Introduction to the We’re Moving to Europe Community
[1:47] Welcome to the Episode
[2:18] Meet Bethany and Jana of GTFO Tours
[2:40] Their Backgrounds and How They Met
[3:52] Why They Chose to Move to the Netherlands
[4:52] Starting GTFO Tours and What It Offers
[6:20] Early Success and Tour Launch
[6:38] Why Americans Are Attracted to the Netherlands
[7:37] What Is the DAFT Visa and How It Works
[10:27] Income, Freelancing, and Family Considerations
[12:13] Entrepreneur Visas vs. DAFT
[14:06] Dual Strategy for Spouses and Work Options
[15:09] The Housing Challenge in the Netherlands
[16:32] Schooling, Taxes, and Administrative Hurdles
[17:54] 30% Tax Ruling and Planning Ahead
[18:56] The Bureaucracy of Moving and Starting Over
[19:25] Keeping US Jobs and Managing Time Zones
[21:08] The Reality of the Dutch Housing Market
[22:56] Misconceptions About Rent and Pitching Yourself
[23:44] Budgeting and the Role of a Makelaar
[25:07] How Bethany Found Her Apartment
[26:02] Alternatives to Living in Amsterdam
[27:35] Picking Cities Based on Lifestyle and Needs
[28:53] The Housing Crisis vs. the US Context
[30:15] Reasonable Timelines for Moving
[31:57] How Complexity Affects Your Timeline
[33:07] Downsizing and the Cost of Moving Furniture
[34:12] Don't Wait Too Long to Move
[35:24] Life Vision and Family Considerations
[36:01] Debt, Financial Mindsets, and Cultural Differences
[37:23] Building Community in the Netherlands
[38:02] How to Make Connections as an Expat
[40:24] Surprising Benefits of Living in the Netherlands
[41:51] Bethany on Dating and Emotional Balance
[42:58] Closing Remarks and Where to Find More Info
[43:34] Outro and Credits

Sound Library
All the music was composed especially for the We’re Moving to Europe podcast by Sage Barton. Copyright 2025, Sage Barton.