Choosing Family Over Living Abroad- with Ashley Russell (part 3) Artwork

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This is a podcast about people who have left their home country to live abroad or have an abroad experience. There are so many different reasons why we choose to move countries and become an expat and so many interesting stories of amazing people. Having relatable struggles, amazing adventures and new beginnings! Be excited about getting to know great humans with individual experiences. It is about getting to know new cultures, learning about different countries, having compassion and inspiring people to follow their dreams. If you have any questions regarding a specific topic or if you want me to cover anything in particular in the podcast, please leave a comment or message me directly! Can't wait to hear from you! :) If you want to be a guest on my show or you want to work with me, please send an email to: hannaworldwideandfriends@outlook.com Love, Hanna

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Choosing Family Over Living Abroad- with Ashley Russell (part 3)

February 07, 2026 • Hanna • Season 1 • Episode 66

0:00 | 29:50

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Hi everyone,

Please welcome back with me Ashley Russell from New Zealand.

In this third conversation with my friend Ashley, we come full circle on her journey of living abroad. We briefly reflect back on Part 1 and 2, where Ashley shared the emotional rollercoaster of preparing to move from New Zealand to the UK, her expectations, and the challenges of starting from scratch — especially when it came to making friends, fitting in, and finding a sense of home.

Now, Ashley is back in New Zealand (for good… or at least for now). A phone call from her sister — announcing a baby and an upcoming wedding — changed everything. For Ashley, the decision was instant. Family has always been her biggest value, and being present for the first baby of this generation mattered more than anything else.

She also reflects on what finally shifted for her in the UK before moving back: changing jobs, finding her people, and realising that much of the anxiety she experienced wasn’t about her social life after all, but about staying in a job that wasn’t right for her. Through consistency, staying open, and not giving up too soon, she eventually built a community — without doing anything drastically different.

Ashley also opens up about her relationship with music. What once felt like pressure and expectation slowly turned back into joy through open mics, friendships, and creating without needing it to “become” anything.

This episode is a honest reflection on choosing family, trusting your values, and understanding that no experience abroad is ever wasted — even when the path takes an unexpected turn. And who knows… this might not be the last chapter of Ashley’s life overseas.

Thank you so much for being here. I appreciate every single one of you!

Love,
Hanna 🌏❤️

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