I’ve tried it all: short trips, long trips, try-to-do-nothing trips, do-absolutely-everything trips, 48-hour trips, squeeze-it-in-with-a-business-trip trips. Whew! Visiting home comes in all shapes and sizes, and I can confirm that waking up to a “your flight is ready for check-in” email when you've barely got home from the airport is the-absolute-worst trip. So how do... Continue Reading →
Remember this photo? 25 year-old me, a big hug and an even bigger smile. Heathrow airport, 11th August 2016. Ahh!! Where has the time gone? I moved to Germany to live out my dream, I've just turned 30 and I'm now celebrating 5 years in Frankfurt. It's all going on! My relocation has been one... Continue Reading →
I was so excited when I found out that my friend, Emily, who I’ve known since I was a teenager in London, was about to relocate to Rome. She was about to have a life-changing experience, and I couldn’t wait for her to start the journey. Almost one year later, I booked a flight to... Continue Reading →
I missed so many things from home when I first moved abroad; things that I never even used to think twice about. And despite all the new benefits, including walking to work and having Frankfurt's skyline practically on my doorstep, there was nothing more annoying than not being able to buy the deodorant that I'd... Continue Reading →
Before moving, I told myself that I'd live in Germany for a minimum of three years. I gathered that three years would give me enough time to really improve my language skills, become familiar with Frankfurt and build strong relationships with those around me. What I didn't consider, is that after three years of giving... Continue Reading →
Two of my friends in London (who don't know each other) were recently offered the opportunity to move abroad as part of their career. My friend Jay* was offered a job in her dream country, Taiwan**, a place that she had actually lived before and that she knew she would thoroughly enjoy. My other friend... Continue Reading →
When travelling, I often consider if I would ever want to live in the place I'm holidaying in, and it got me thinking about what makes me answer with either 'yes' or 'no.' I already had a personal connection to Germany before moving here from the UK, but if I wanted to relocate again, then... Continue Reading →
After being asked about what it's like to be a woman of colour in Frankfurt, specifically a black woman, and if I have experienced any racism, I've decided to share my experiences with you. I always start by saying that I don't work in a strictly German environment, in fact, due to the nature of... Continue Reading →
How often do you rely on other people? When at work, playing sports, or for some friendly advice? I reckon it’s more than we realise but for those times when we do actually need someone, whatever it may be for, we generally know exactly who to go to and why they’d be the best person... Continue Reading →
Following my post '5 reasons why it's OK not to be in love with the city you relocate to', I had two conversations with people who have thought about moving back home, or even just somewhere else away from the city they relocated to. I'm sure this crosses most expats' minds at some point, weighing... Continue Reading →
When I last went back to London (home-home), I realised I wasn't checking my phone half as much as I do when I'm at my home abroad. The reason is obvious: I have 25 years of solid friendships to maintain in the UK compared to 18 months of developing friendships in Frankfurt. I am lucky there's... Continue Reading →
Back in London and ready to tell my friends from home the story about a disastrous yet hilarious car sharing experience in Germany, I asked “Do you have a car sharing website?” Which was responded to with a strong “you!?” and a lot of laughter as we realised I hadn’t used the word ‘we’. Oops!... Continue Reading →
So you're at a social event and there are a few friends of friends who you've not yet met. As usual, you introduce yourself and oh.. err.. this suddenly becomes seriously awkward as you dive in for a hug whilst the other person politely offers their hand. “What!? Have I missed something?” Nope, this isn’t... Continue Reading →
After spotting a small group of people doing yoga in the park, I politely interrupted to ask if I could join. My current attire wasn't appropriate but I turned up in my gym clothes the next week and was ready to get involved. The 'I might as well ask, there's nothing to lose' moment has... Continue Reading →
When someone mentioned that they viewed moving abroad as leaving everything behind, it really did make me think twice. I hadn't thought about it in this way at all and I guess it has opened my eyes to other people's experiences. Moving abroad has it's ups and downs and I can imagine that for people... Continue Reading →
Reading Metropolife's post on friendships and relationships with a due date, left one person at the front of my mind and a lot of reflection on a friendship that developed so quickly yet changed so fast. I smiled when I got that "Sollen wir dann morgen frühstücken gehen?" Shall we go for breakfast tomorrow? text... Continue Reading →
Alisa Jordan Writes 