Meet Yolanda, a global expat who has relocated six times across the world before eventually settling in California — what started as a one-year adventure turned into 16 years, two children, and a deep journey of rebuilding home from scratch.

In this episode, Yolanda shares how she and her husband moved to the U.S. after winning the Green Card lottery, chasing sunshine and a new adventure. But beyond the excitement of Yosemite road trips and the honeymoon phase of expat life, reality soon set in: loneliness, cultural differences, and the unexpected challenge of building a life — not just living in a new place.

Yolanda opens up about the emotional side of relocating: missing the sounds of city life, struggling with surface-level friendships, and becoming a new mother far from family support. She explains how she navigated homesickness, built meaningful rituals, and intentionally created community — from coffee shop routines to long walks with her baby, and eventually returning to university at Berkeley to reconnect with purpose and people.

This conversation explores the deeper side of expat life:

• Why speaking the same language doesn’t mean cultural ease

• The difference between friendliness and real friendship

• How to build belonging when community doesn’t come naturally

• Why rituals — even small ones — can transform your expat experience

• Learning what you truly need to thrive abroad

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Yolanda also shares how understanding cultural differences, including what she calls a “stranger-danger” mindset in the U.S., helped her stop taking things personally and instead build authentic relationships intentionally.

This episode is a thoughtful and honest conversation about identity, resilience, and the work required to truly feel at home abroad.

Whether you're considering a move, newly relocated, or years into expat life, Yolanda’s experience is full of relatable insights and practical inspiration.

Café & Bar Recommendations (California – Marin County & Napa Area)

• Blue Barn — A favorite local spot for brunch and salads (Yolanda recommends the Thai chicken salad)

• Jacuzzi Family Vineyards — Beautiful vineyard near Sonoma with unique infused olive oils and wine tasting

• Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs (Calistoga) — Relaxing spa experience perfect for a special day

• Golden Haven Hot Springs (Calistoga) — Another wellness escape in Napa Valley

🎧 Also mentioned:
Yolanda’s podcast — The Places We Call Home
Expat song: Spice Girls Wannabe a nostalgic Brit-abroad tradition during afternoon tea gatherings

Follow for more expat stories:

📘 Meet the Expats Blog

📹 Youtube Channel

📱 Instagram

📱TikTok

Credits:

Intro outro Ice tea, Not the king

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Follow for more expat stories:

📘 Meet the Expats Blog

📹 Youtube Channel

📱 Instagram

📱TikTok

Credits:

Intro outro Ice tea, Not the king

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Meet Shannon,

an American expat who followed love to Germany—and ended up building a thriving small business in Baden-Württemberg.

Originally from the San Francisco area, Shannon moved to Germany for what was meant to be a temporary chapter. Fourteen years later, she’s still there, raising a family and running her own aesthetics business from the ground up. In this episode, we talk about navigating entrepreneurship abroad, dealing with German bureaucracy, learning the language while building a client base, and adapting to cultural differences without losing yourself.

Shannon shares the reality of starting a business as an expat woman in Germany, the importance of community (especially when friendships come and go), and how she blended her American personality with German culture to create a business that truly works—for her and her clients.

An honest, warm conversation about resilience, identity, and building something of your own far from home.

📍 Location Recommendations (Germany)

• Kazumi (Böblingen) – her go-to sushi spot

• Motorworld Böblingen – where her business is located, plus bars, restaurants, and car lovers’ heaven

• Brazilian Churrasco Restaurant (Stuttgart) – lively atmosphere, music, and all-you-can-eat Brazilian BBQ

🎶 Expat Song

• “I Follow Rivers” – a song that captures the leap of faith that brought her to Germany

Find Shannon: www.californiaglowbeauty.com

Related article: Starting a business in Germany

Follow for more expat stories:

📘 Meet the Expats Blog

📹 Youtube Channel

📱 Instagram

📱TikTok

Credits:

Intro outro Ice tea, Not the king

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.