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What if the hardest part of moving abroad isn't finding a house, but finding yourself? 

In this episode, Doreen Cumberford sits down with Vivian Chiona, founder of Expat Nest, an online counselling platform offering psychological support in nine languages to expats, repats, and global nomads worldwide.

Vivian brings warmth, wisdom, and 12 years of experience helping internationally mobile people navigate the emotional terrain that logistics can't fix. Together they explore the invisible side of expat life including the culture shock, identity shifts, and loneliness that can ambush even the most seasoned global citizen.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why saying goodbye well is a skill — and why it matters for how you arrive
• The most common blind spots expats have when they think moving is "just logistics"
• Warning signs your mind and body are telling you to seek support
• How transgenerational patterns shape your expat experience (and why your grandparents' journey might be living in your bones)
• Why loneliness is really about disconnection — and practical ways to rebuild belonging
• The secret to a happy repatriation: building your global village back home
• Vivian's mantra for every expat: "This too shall pass"

About Vivian Chiona: 

Vivian is a psychologist, intercultural expert, and founder of Expat Nest offering e-counselling in nine languages including English, Greek, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, and Arabic. Services cover individuals, teenagers, couples, and families. A free 15-minute consultation is available, and direct billing with many insurances is offered.

Connect with Vivian at:

📧 info@expatnest.com 

| 🌐 www.expatnest.com

Connect with Doreen at:

https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/

https://doreencumberford.substack.com/publish/home

Book mentioned: It Didn't Start With You by Mark Wolynn

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You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.