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Welcome to "We are here, too," an insightful podcast exploring the ebbs and flows of life abroad and its profound impact on mental health. Join me, a counsellor with two decades of experience outside my homeland, Italy, and a background in counselling and psychotherapy, as I share stories of life abroad. Whether you consider yourself a migrant, an expatriate, a foreigner, a digital nomad or a wandering soul, embark on a journey of self-discovery while gaining valuable insights into the every ...
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Ever found yourself in a foreign land, feeling the weight of solitude pressing down on you? My journey through the highs and lows of living abroad brought me face to face with the challenges of cultural adjustments and finding a place of belonging. In our latest discussion, I share the realities of navigating loneliness and stress in a new country.…
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S3E5: Some hard truths about life abroad that no one told you about
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This episode was a long one coming, and I hope it invites you to extend curiosity to those experiences that are often at the edge of our life abroad. If you want to deepen some of the topics discussed in this episode, I would recommend: Hard truth 1: S3E2: People-pleasing abroad: maintaining identity amidst cultural adaptation Hard truth 2: S1E2: U…
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Have you ever pondered where you truly belong? This week, I invite you on a heartfelt exploration of 'home' and belonging as we unravel how our sense of place shapes our mental landscape. We will venture through Scottish (and Northern European) folklore, where personal tales of finding comfort in the unfamiliar intertwine with the collective experi…
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Edit: I've just realised I opened this episode saying, "In Season 4 Episode 1", when I actually meant "Season 1 Episode 4". -- Have you ever felt the weight of guilt gnawing at you physically while living miles away from home? This episode peels back the layers to reveal how guilt triggers neural networks, stirs muscle tension, disrupts our digesti…
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S3E2: People-pleasing abroad: maintaining identity admidst cultural adaptation
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In today's episode, I talk about people pleasing when living abroad and how it may take on the role of integrating us into the new country. Transitioning to life in a new country comes with its own emotional rollercoaster, a journey that many of us know all too well. This episode addresses the fine line between adapting and losing oneself. With hea…
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Emerging from a long hiatus, I, Francesca, return to the microphone with a tale that resonates deep within the heart of anyone who's ever found themselves rooted in foreign soil. This episode peels back the layers of identity shaped by the lands we call home and the internal tug-of-war between assimilation and authenticity. This conversation is a g…
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Let me take you on a journey, a journey that many of us have experienced, but few have recounted - the emotional rollercoaster of going back home to our host country after the holidays. The thrill of the unfamiliar, the pang of homesickness, and the inevitable culture shock - they're all part and parcel of living abroad. We're going to dig deep int…
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S2E8: Visitors: balancing home ties and new connections
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Ever find yourself longing for the comfort of familiar faces while stationed in a new country? Have you ever realized that the people in your host country now know more about your current life than those back home? Join me as I share my personal experiences of living abroad, discussing the nuanced dynamics of maintaining ties with home while foster…
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S2E7: Seven signs you are experiencing reverse culture shock
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Going on holidays to your home country or returning home after living abroad can feel like stepping into a parallel universe. As your host, Francesca, I reveal how I navigated my own journey through this disorienting maze in an episode dedicated to the fascinating subject of reverse culture shock. With the backdrop of an Italian native living in Sc…
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S2E6: "No, I'm not going home for the holidays": a journey to self-acceptance
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Ever sat alone in a foreign place during the holiday season, wrestling with the decision of whether to go home or not? You're not alone. Join me as I bare my soul and share my own rollercoaster of emotions - the initial fear, the white lie to protect my joy, the dread, and the eventual acceptance - that came with my decision to stay abroad during t…
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What if your feelings of homesickness could reveal deeper insights about your personal values and life stages? As I, your host Francesca, grappled with an overwhelming sense of homesickness on my recent trip to Sicily, I discovered just how multifaceted this emotion truly is. This episode takes you on my personal journey as I try to comprehend my l…
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S2E4: The emotional spectrum of holidays spent at home
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Remember those golden holidays back home, surrounded by familiar faces, savouring traditional delicacies and getting immersed in the joyous festivities? These memories can stir up a mixed bag of emotions, especially for those of us living overseas. In this engaging discussion, we unpack those complex feelings of nostalgia, longing, and sometimes, s…
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S2E3: Confronting stress and finding relief: the unspoken challenges of living abroad
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Ever thought escaping to a holiday destination would leave your problems behind? Well, it may not always be the case. Join me as I uncover the importance of accountability and fostering trust in our ability to instigate positive change with an emphasis on self-care. I will talk about the physical toll of stress, the importance of breaks, and how to…
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In this podcast episode, we delve into the intricacies of mental health when living abroad. Join me as we explore the often unspoken topic of holiday guilt experienced by those navigating life in a foreign land. Through first-hand stories and a fresh perspective, I share the complex emotions and unique challenges that arise when taking time off fro…
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S2E1: Expressing needs and setting boundaries on holidays
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We are opening Season 2 "The holiday experience" talking about needs. We delve into the world of travel, uncovering the unique needs that arise when going on holidays as a foreigner. From navigating relationship dynamics to managing emotional well-being, join me as we unravel the intimate connection between needs and boundaries. Gain insights and u…
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In this week's episode, we will talk about tapping into our power when we live abroad by recognising our agency. What is agency? Agency is the capacity of all individuals to have the power and resources to fulfil their potential. So how does that play about when we move abroad? Listen to this episode to learn more. --------- We are here, too is a p…
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S1E11: The importance of relationships when living abroad
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Friendships and intimate relationships when living abroad can feel like family. In this episode I talk about the complexity of relationships when they intersect with our life abroad. --------- We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland. We are here, too e…
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S1E10 Lost in Translation: the challenges of speaking a foreign language
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When I first set foot in Scotland, the newness of everything was overwhelming, especially the language. The accent, the slang, their way of expression put me in a state of constant exertion - to grasp, to comprehend and to respond. Navigating through these linguistic hurdles wasn't just draining, it was a mental battle that triggered self-doubt, st…
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S1E9: Embracing failure: navigating emotional hurdles and cultivating resilience abroad
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Imagine packing your bags, leaving home, and settling in a foreign land. A thrilling adventure, isn't it? But what happens when the excitement fades and is replaced with a feeling of failure, disappointment and a crisis of identity? I'm your host Francesca, an Italian living in Scotland, and today, I'm opening up about my rollercoaster journey of s…
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An invitation to remember the reasons for moving abroad and to explore whether your why may have changed over the years. And if you want to read more about it, you can check out my blog post. --------- We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland. We are he…
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S1E7: Balancing holidays and self-care when living abroad
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Navigating holidays while residing abroad can be a complex emotional journey. Listen in as I bare my soul about my two-decade-long experience of managing the pressure of holiday decisions, establishing boundaries with loved ones, and finding a balance between my roots and the new life overseas. I pull back the curtain on the struggle of being away …
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S1E6: Exploring and negotiating boundaries when living abroad
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Have you ever thought about the crucial role boundaries play in shaping our interactions with the world? I'm Francesca, an Italian living in Scotland, here to guide you through a fascinating discussion on the complexities of boundaries - both personal and cultural, and their impact on our mental health when living abroad. We'll explore how boundari…
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S1E5: What I learnt from my depression when living abroad
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Also known as expat depression (or moving abroad blues), depression is a common experience among those living abroad. However, a thrilling and enriching experience, living abroad comes with its challenges, which may trigger low mood and feelings of depression. In this episode, I will share what I learned from my depression when living abroad, and i…
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Today, we will navigate the intricate labyrinth of guilt accompanying migration (also known as expat guilt). This journey is not just for migrants but anyone who seeks to understand the emotional turmoil of those who have left their homeland. We'll peel back the layers of guilt, revealing its role as a moral compass that guides our decisions and it…
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Have you ever grappled with the multi-layered challenges of cultural identity as a foreigner? When we move abroad, our sense of identity changes, and there could be many reasons for this. Leaving our home, community, and cultural background and adapting to a new environment can be challenging and lead to feelings of identity confusion and loss. For…
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Ever felt completely out of your comfort zone while trying to blend into a new culture? This episode is an in-depth view of the challenging phenomenon of culture shock which often leads to internal conflict and confusion when moving abroad. You'll hear from my personal experiences of migration, the pleasant surprises, and the frustrating struggles …
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S1E1: Migration and mental health: a journey of hope, overcoming and connection
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Have you ever wondered how migrating to a different country might impact your mental health? This is the provocative question we explore in our first episode. My name is Francesca, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland, and in this episode (and in this podcast) I share personal experiences and professional insights on the impact of migration on …
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[Trailer] We are here, too - on mental health abroad
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Welcome to We are here, too, a podcast about mental health and living abroad. Season 1 is about meaning-making, learning who we are with this new identity of migrant/foreigner/expat that has followed us since day one of living abroad. Happy listening! --------- We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca L…
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