In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Professor Danny Kessler, an American expat 🇺🇸 who has built an incredible career and life in South Korea 🇰🇷.

Professor Kessler is an Assistant Professor at Dongseo University’s International College, where he teaches, mentors, and develops innovative programs like the Workplace Wellness Micro-Degree and the Workplace Wellness Research Lab. Recently, him and his student won an all-expenses-paid trip to Dubai for their winning idea at the Shark Tank of Wellness competition!

Before entering academia, Danny was an entrepreneur, and he’s also the author of several books.

In this episode, we talked about what it’s like to live and work in South Korea as an expat, how his early entrepreneurial spirit shaped his approach to teaching, and why he continues to explore, learn, and inspire others through everything he does.

🎧 Listen now to here Professor Kessler's journey from the US to South Korea!

⏰ Timestamps

00:00 Intro

00:32 Meet Professor Kessler

01:27 Life in South Korea

03:14 From Entrepreneurship to Academia

06:22 The Journey into Wellness Tourism

18:11 Preparing Students for Success

22:18 The Drive Behind Continuous Learning

26:00 Daily Rituals and Life Mantras

👉 Connecting with Professor Kessler on LinkedIn

👉 Connecting with Lucy on LinkedIn

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Gabriela Encina, a psychologist for expats and internationals, who helps people navigate the emotional and psychological challenges of living abroad.

Gabriela walks us through the 4 chapters of expat life that so many of us quietly experience, and whether you’re in your first year abroad or ten years in, you’ll likely recognize yourself in one of these stages. If you're going through any of these emotions, be sure to know that you're not alone. 💛

If you want to hear more about Gabriela's expat journey, be sure to listen to the Season 1 Episode 31! She shared her journey from Chile 🇨🇱 to Austria 🇦🇹 and now Spain 🇪🇸 and brings fresh insights to help expats name their challenges, embrace change, and move forward with confidence.

🎧 Enjoy :)

⏰ Time Stamps

00:00 Meet Gabriela

02:02 The Honeymoon Phase of Expat Life

06:00 Emotional Preparation for Moving Abroad

09:33 Navigating Cultural Differences at Work

22:27 Is This the Right Country for Me?

32:36 Adapting and Settling In

37:57 Deciding Between Staying or Moving Back

45:35 Final Thoughts and Advice for Expats

✨ Connect with Gabriela ✨

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

🌎 Connect with Lucy 🌎

Website

LinkedIn

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Sara, a purpose-driven leader in data analytics and digital transformation with 20+ years of experience spanning engineering, science, and organizational psychology to the table.

Sara began her career in hydrogeology and has taken her across continents, industries, and roles - from completing her PhD in Hydrogeology/Groundwater transport modelling/Nanoscience and participating in mining projects in Australia, to a metro system in Hanoi and Doha, to her current role in data leadership in Copenhagen.

Born in Iran, Sara shared powerful reflections on leaving her home country, navigating life, and the unplanned path that led her to where she is today. Throughout our conversation, she shared the challenges and beautiful things about starting over, the importance of a supportive partner, and why flexibility over rigidity has become her life mantra.

🎧 Tune in hear Sara's inspiring journey through career pivots, cross-cultural living, and embracing the unknown with curiosity and courage.

⏰ Time stamps

00:00 Meet Sarah: From Hydrogeology to Data Leadership

01:21 Sarah's Early Career and Transition to Engineering

06:45 Sarah's Passion for Science and Engineering

10:12 From Iran to Australia: Sarah's Journey

32:27 Hanoi Metro Project Experience

34:32 Move to Qatar

41:28 Relocation to the UK and Glasgow Life

44:17 Settling in Copenhagen

45:30 The Importance of a Supportive Partner

52:08 Life Mantra: Flexibility and Openness

👉 Sara on LinkedIn

👉 Lucy on LinkedIn

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mark Balneger, a Dutch expat 🇳🇱 who moved to South Korea 🇰🇷on a whim and ended up building an incredible life there over the past 9 years.

What started as a last-minute university exchange turned into a decade-long adventure!

Since arriving in Seoul, Mark has worn many hats - from working in marketing by day and bartending by night, to starring in over 20 movies and 15 commercials, and even launching his own startup with support from the Korean government. Now, he leads Study in Asia, an EdTech company, connecting international students with opportunities to study across Asia.

It was such a candid and thoughtful conversation about life in South Korea as an expat, growth, grit, and what happens when you lean into the unexpected.

🎧 Listen now to here Mark's journey from the Netherlands to South Korea!

⏰ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:34 Mark's Journey to South Korea

02:34 Cultural Shocks and Adjustments

06:11 Dutch Culture vs. Korean Culture

09:45 Living in Seoul vs. Busan

17:00 Starting a Career in Korea

20:38 Current Role at Study in Asia

24:47 Advice for Moving to Korea

27:56 Life Mantra and Stoic Philosophy

👉 Connecting with Mark on LinkedIn

👉 Connecting with Lucy on LinkedIn

In this episode, I sat down with Melanie O'Connor - a former elite swimmer for Australia who is now a marketing leader in Ireland.

Originally from Australia, by the age of 16, Melanie represented Australia at three world championships, winning multiple medals. But when an injury ended her swimming career, she faced a major turning point - one that sparked an incredible journey of reinvention.

Now based in Ireland for over 10 years, Melanie is recognized as one of Ireland's top CMOs.

We chatted about navigating identity after sport, starting over (more than once), her passion for marketing, and the powerful belief that there's always another level.

An inspiring story of grit, resilience, and growth.

⏰ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview

01:24 Melanie's Swimming Career

02:56 Handling Pressure and Mental Health

07:33 Transition from Swimming to Coaching

11:33 Shift to Marketing and Business Strategy

20:42 Moving to Ireland

27:49 Advice on Reinventing Yourself

29:37 Life Mantras and Personal Growth

✨ Find more about Melanie here:

LinkedIn

www.melanieoconnor.co

🌎 Connect with Lucy:

LinkedIn

In this episode, I had such a fun time chatting with Galina Dormishva. 🍷💃🏻

Galina is originally from Bulgaria and is now based in Switzerland. Before settling down in Switzerland, she also lived in France, Slovakia, and Spain.

We talked about her life in Switzerland, the cultural differences she's experienced across Europe, and her career in Ad Tech - plus how the universe brings things full circle. ✨

Galina's positive energy is contagious, and I laughed a lot during our chat. As she puts it: "If it's not fun, it's not worth it!"

💚 Connect with Galina on her LinkedIn

00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview

01:23 Journey to Switzerland: A Childhood Dream

11:32 First time living abroad: Adjusting to life in France

21:11 Challenges and Rewards of Living Abroad

25:51 Transitioning to a Career in Ad Tech

31:15 Life Mantras for Success and Embracing Change

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with the lovely Chloé Chamard - truly one of the kindest and sweetest people I've ever met!

Chloé is originally from France and moved to the UK last year in 2024. We talked about what made her fall in love with the UK and why she decided to make it her new home. She also shared her experience of looking for a job and navigating the big move to a new country.

Chloé is also a multilingual - she speak French, English, Spanish, and is currently learning Italian! We dove into what sparked her love for languages as well.

She runs a beautiful blog where she shares her life as a French expat in the UK. Whether you're an expat yourself or just curious about expat life, her blog is a must-read!

I absolutely loved our conversation, and I know you will too. Tune in and get inspired by Chloé's journey!

✨ Get to know more about Chloé here ✨

Blog: apieceofchloe.com

Instagram: @apieceofchloe_

Email: apieceofchloe@gmail.com

{🎉 Welcome to Season 2 of Self-Made Expats Podcast 🥳}

In the first episode of Season 2 (Yay!), I interviewed Sastya Wardani, the CEO & Co-Founder of PLans, a FemTech company based in Indonesia that empowers women by bridging healthcare providers with an AI-powered, data-driven platform to assist in early diagnosis and maintenance of women's reproductive health.

Sastya grew up in Indonesia, and also lived in Malaysia and Singapore, and now she's pursuing her PhD at UCL while building her startup, PLans.

We chatted about why women need to start talking about (and normalizing talking about) our reproductive health in our 20s, her career transition from finance to tech and health tech, and her living abroad journey in Malaysia and Singapore.

✨ Check out PLans here ✨

Instagram: With.Plans

Website: with-plans.com

Sastya Wardani: LinkedIn