In this episode, I sit down with fellow coach Krista Casey about how she and her husband left behind their lives in Boston for a fresh start in Berlin. We dive into what it was like to adjust to life in Germany, how Krista navigated a career shift from being a Creative Director to a Coach, and what being an expat parent really looks like far from family and familiar systems.

If you’ve ever dreamed of moving abroad, Krista’s story will give you insights about building community, adapting your career, and becoming a mother in a new place.

You can find Krista at her website: https://www.kristacaseycoaching.com/ and on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-casey-623a95b/

---

Are you currently feeling stuck in a life transition? If you're feeling unsure about what your next step should be - whether that's in your career, where you want to live, or how you want to live your life - I would love to talk with you. This month, I'm offering a handful of complimentary coaching sessions for people going through transitions. I hope our session can give you more clarity, confidence, or whatever you need to help you during this period.

If this sounds like something that would be helpful to you, then schedule your complimentary coaching session with me here: https://calendly.com/kelly-j-boyle/free-one-on-one-coaching-session-for-podcast-listeners

---

How To Be An Expat is a podcast that explores how to live expat life to the fullest, hosted by accredited coach Kelly Boyle. Each episode is a conversation with other expats around topics of transitioning to expat life, from culture shocks and learning a new language, to working and making friends. Listen as we share our stories and experiences, and learn how to be an expat. You can also find us at: ⁠https://kellyboylecoaching.com⁠

--

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome, introductions, and values

02:00 - Why Krista moved to Berlin

03:00 - Expat expectations vs reality

05:13 - Building trust from zero in an international team

09:13 - Communication mishaps at work

12:25 - Making a career change abroad

15:52 - What’s it like to become a first-time parent abroad?

22:11 - Making friends in Germany - locals vs expats

32:04 - Is there more to Berlin than the party scene?

33:57 - Where we’re thinking about living in the future

40:00 - How our families reacted to our decision to move abroad

44:20 - Letting yourself believe that moving abroad is possible for you

47:12 - How living abroad made me less risk adverse

50:15 - Final advice for people who want to live abroad

52:20 - Where to find Krista and goodbyes

In this episode, I sit down with Janet Lefley, an American author and illustrator who swapped U.S. suburbia for the canals of Amsterdam. We talk about her unexpected path to the Netherlands, from being an exchange student to navigating the quirks of Dutch life with her husband, Dan. Janet shares what it's really like to live abroad long-term, covering everything from bikes and bureaucracy to creative inspiration and culture shock.

This conversation is packed with honest reflections, funny culture clashes, and expat wisdom earned the hard way. Whether you're dreaming of a move abroad or just love hearing about people diving into new lives, Janet’s story will make you laugh, nod in recognition, and maybe even start Googling “how to move to Europe.”

You can find Janet's artwork and illustrations at https://www.thejanimalstore.com/ and on Instagram at @janetlefley.

--

How To Be An Expat is a podcast that explores how to live expat life to the fullest, hosted by Expat Coach Kelly Boyle. Each episode is a conversation with other expats around topics of expat life, from culture shocks and learning a new language, to working and making friends. Listen as we share our stories and experiences, and learn how to be an expat.

You can find Kelly at ⁠https://kellyboylecoaching.com⁠.

If you're curious about what expat coaching with Kelly is like, she's offering a free coaching session for podcast listeners. During this session, we'll explore your goals and values, and you'll walk away with actionable steps to make your goals a reality. Just click here to schedule an hour with Kelly.

--

Chapters:
00:00 - Welcome and introductions

01:00 - Why Janet moved to Amsterdam

03:25 - Finding a job in the Netherlands

05:13 - Getting a visa in the Netherlands

08:30 - Freelancing in Amsterdam

10:00 - Tipping culture in Europe vs. the U.S.

13:30 - What are Dutch people like?

20:30 - Adopting a more direct and blunt communication style

23:22 - Janet’s Covid experience in Amsterdam

33:20 - Why Janet is leaving the Netherlands

36:56 - Tips for leveraging LinkedIn to find a job in Europe

40:40 - The DAFT visa and being a creative entrepreneur

46:48 - Making friends and finding community as an expat

52:50 - Learning a new language to integrate

56:24 - Where to find Janet and goodbyes

In this expat conversation, I sat down with Yara Gamal, a life coach who moved from Egypt to the Netherlands with her husband and baby. We talked about what it's really like to start over in a new country—navigating loneliness, career changes, and the everyday cultural challenges that no one tells you about.

Yara shared her powerful journey of identity, self-discovery, and redefining what “home” means. From civil engineering to coaching, from Egypt's chaos to Amsterdam’s calm, her story is raw, honest, and deeply relatable for anyone considering, living, or wanting to know more about what life is like for an expat.

You can find Yara at: https://yaragamal.com/

Read my blog post about finding work-life balance in Europe here: https://kellyboylecoaching.com/why-i-wanted-to-be-laid-off/

---

How To Be An Expat is a podcast that explores how to live expat life to the fullest, hosted by Expat Coach Kelly Boyle. Each episode is a conversation with other expats around topics of expat life, from culture shocks and learning a new language, to working and making friends. Listen as we share our stories and experiences, and learn how to be an expat.

You can also find us at: https://kellyboylecoaching.com

--

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction & Guest Introduction

02:59 – Expectations vs. Reality of Moving Abroad

05:16 – Struggles of the First Year

08:00 – Adapting to European Work Culture

10:37 – Changing Careers & Finding Purpose

17:06 – Discovering Coaching as a Career

21:22 – Would Yara be a Coach if She Stayed in Egypt?

22:26 – Redefining the Concept of "Home"

26:07 – Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone

30:01 – Challenges of Daily Life Abroad

34:44 – Making Friends and Finding Community

38:05 – Embracing the Expat Journey

40:05 – Identity Shifts & Cultural Influences

44:49 – Accepting Direct Communication Styles

45:31 – Advice for Future Expats

47:44 – Loneliness as an Opportunity for Growth

49:03 – Closing Thoughts