Finding Your Tribe - With Julia Marcos

In today's episode of Quiero un Panino con Cheese, we're excited to welcome our very first guest, Julia Marcos, a close friend of Hazel’s who has navigated the challenges of raising children in a foreign country, far from her family and support system.

Julia shares her remarkable journey, detailing how a planned three-month stay in the U.S. unexpectedly evolved into a 22-year adventure. She opens up about the difficulties she and her partner faced in those early days and how finding their "tribe" transformed their experience.

In this episode, we delve into a variety of thought-provoking topics, including:

• The gap between our intentions to fully integrate into a new culture and the reality of those efforts.
• The motivations behind seeking out a tribe: Is it the desire for familiarity, language, or shared experiences?
• The perceptions local residents might have towards newcomers in their community.
• The challenges of reconnecting with your home country after years abroad.
• The impact of parenthood on building a social network.
• Striking a balance between embracing a new culture and connecting with your roots.
• Scientific insights into the benefits of finding your community.
• Potential downsides of cultural integration.
• Effective strategies for making meaningful connections.

Join us as we explore the heartfelt story of how Hazel and Julia met, and engage in an open, insightful discussion about the universal quest for belonging and support in a new land. This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the shared experiences that unite us all.

Please hit the follow button and enter our crazy, multilingual, international world and explore these questions and so much more as we open up about our personal experiences over a cup of coffee, Americano, espresso, cafe solo, or whatever gets you moving!