EP 18 — From Colombia to Sydney: Finding Home Again (and Again)

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Hi everyone, and welcome back to Almost Local the space and podcast, where we talk honestly about what it really means to build a life abroad. Today I'm joined by Carolina. She's our guest today in the podcast and she's just two months into her new chapter in Sydney, Australia. And what I love about this conversation with Carolina is that we are both starting over again. Navigating the unknown, figuring out what home means when everything feels new. Carolina has moved many, many times. She moved to Spain from Colombia, then the uk, New Zealand, Japan twice, the US Colombia and, and now Australia, Sydney. And she brings such grounded with some about starting again. Raising kids abroad, finding connection balancing excitement with grief for the place you've left. So let's dive in. Hello Carolina. Thank you for joining me today, for another episode of Almost Local. I'm excited to have you here and share your journey abroad, with the community. I've been talking with Carolina about her journey, navigating life abroad. she's now at the moment living in Australia, in Sydney. She's just, recently moved there. So she's new to the country. We are on the same page at the moment because she's been there for two months. I've been in New Zealand for three months, so we are, starting a new life. Welcome Carolina, tell us, about your journey. Thank you Maria, for inviting me to this, podcast. I'm very happy, to be here and share my journey and learn from you as well for the steps along the way during this process. My journey started. I have moved several times in my life. This will be the sixth or seventh time I have a new house. The first time I left Colombia, was when I was 17 because I went to Spain to study my degree. I studied there for five years. Then I moved to UK to learn English and I, meet my husband that is from New Zealand. So there we got married and went to live to Japan. We lived for one year and then return to New Zealand for a couple of years following by going to Japan again. From Japan, we moved to the us. While I was in the US I got pregnant and wanted to be close to my family in Colombia and have my kids in Colombia. So we move to, Colombia and live there for 11 years until now. So then it was my husband's turn to live close to his family. He found a very good job opportunity in Australia and that's what brought us to Sydney. I usually like to ask where is home for you? This is a tricky question because you just moved. Home is in Colombia, I feel. Soul will feel in Colombia as home. Here is the new house and the new life, through these different, movements that you did, what is different now? Having the kids, obviously. I feel like it's nicer to move with the kids because you feel like you have your family. You're not alone. Yeah. So you are with your plan, together. And that make it easier for me. I think they have give me more stability. plus kids see reality in another way. They wanna go to the beach, the park, try new activities. They are very excited and I feel like that has given me energy So I feel like you could say that having kids will make this process more difficult. But that impact is harder to move when you're on your own. Because you're lonely sometimes. While you are with the kids, you're more occupied, you're busy, and you have their point of view. Kids are. Happier and, with less, limitations that may have perhaps adults they are more enthusiastic about everything. So I think that that's a big part of, has make it easier. And on the other hand, wealth experience of having moved so many times, I think I know more than less the way and the roots and I have. Let's say a tool of skills that I can pull out when I need it now. Yeah. No, that's perfect. We were previously talking and I told you, you just, grabbed your manual about moving abroad and you just open it and you started looking, and grabbing ideas about how. To make this, journey, this new movement in your life, easier and, like you said, use your tools, your resources. Yeah. So for someone who is, moving for the first time, what would be those tools that you would, suggest? I think try to find what makes you happy. Follow your heart. Try to find in the other place that you move things that goes with you. Like really in tune with what you like, who you are. Don't try to fit others' perception. Because there is a space for everybody, everywhere. No matter you are, your preference, your ideals, your values, there is place always for you, just a matter of finding it. So I think that because you're so different and trying to fit in. This new culture is one big job, but if you find things that you really love within that context, it make it way easier because you can just enjoy it. Mm-hmm. And when you be yourself, you're happy, you find your opportunities. And now that you moved to Australia, did you have any help with, a friend or someone that helped you feel, welcome and more grounded and just to have someone that you could reach out? And ask for, you know, the more basic question some extra support. Yeah, I think so. And that's one of the learnings of you always find somebody who will help you. I've been very lucky. A friend of a friend has been answering my questions, asking how I am, how I'm going, what I need, giving me suggestions for everything. Something that I did in advance. Before I move, I start asking my friends, do you know anyone in Australia that I can talk to I got many referrals, and some of them have been me. Some of them they said, oh yeah, let's meet up. And they never answer. But the ones that have answered have been awesome. You just need one or two, good people it's something that you have to do and be prepared that some people are just busy. It's not like they don't wanna help you. They might be in another situation that is hard for them as well. we were talking, before we connected. to share our experiences. Now that you've settled, your two daughters are in school. you are still grieving, home Colombia and, your life there. How are you navigating this? How do you keep going? And at the same time, missing and enjoying because you're in a beautiful city. Sydney is lovely. You were saying that Sunshine and it's a perfect city. How do you balance that? You are happy, but at the same time missing what's that feeling? Yeah. I wanna be at my house and open the windows and be familiar. I call my friends, I call my colleagues because I'm grieving, a lot about my work. I talk to them. I talk to my family and keep in contact. I have found as well certain things here that reminds me home. So like I found some food, for instance, I have been dancing salsa already. Just to balance that, I think to find here what I like. and that has been helpful to balance it. not just to forget about it, just to not, like I'm looking for, for Colombians or Colombian food every day. I wanna have something from Colombia. Something that reminds you and that's there. Food is a really important thing when you leave your country, it's something that you instantly miss, right? Luckily here in Australia you can find papaya and mango and some of the tropical fruits. And now that you have all this experience you moved several times, but you still try to keep friendships and those people that you've met on the way, you try to keep those connections alive. Why do you think, it's important I always find there are some beautiful people you meet and your friendships become your family. A friend is closer to a sister or to a brother, auntie, or cousin. they become your family. When you are far away from them, you feel still that, relationship, that connection with them. I think that is important to keep in contact. Keep in touch, talking. It has become for me since I moved so many times, a lifestyle, and I just keep in contact with them. It has been wonderful that every time I go back to a place where I moved. I find my friends there. I feel very blessed to have so many friends all over the world now. Carolina, if you were back to that 17-year-old girl, what would you say to her about, what's going to happen? About this lifestyle and what the future holds? Maybe, everything is gonna be okay and it's gonna work out, I always will find somebody who is gonna help me. And also that relationships can remain because I think that when I was younger I was like, oh, if I move, I'm gonna lose my friends. And maybe I did some, but others stay forever and they've been here since then. So the good, friendships are gonna last. They do last. trust on that. Follow your heart, do what you wanna do. I love that. Follow your heart. That's so important. one last thing I'd like to know, and I love to learn from you, Carolina, is, why have you moved so much or why did you choose not to stay in Colombia? I think that, I always like to explore. And to learn new things to explore new cultures and that's what makes me very happy. Even in Colombia, I have the opportunity to travel a lot and visit places that were really remote. For me, that was like. I loved that because I could explore new things and learn about new cultures within Colombia so I think that is something that comes with me. Is there anything you'd like to share? If someone is listening and they are starting a new life, any suggestions, anything that you'd like to say that you think could be helpful at this stage? There is a process and it's takes time. Mm. Yeah. Be patient. Be patient. Yeah. More than we wanna, and even myself, sometimes when you get to a pledge, you just wanna have it all sort out until normal and just feel like, like you can carry on with your life. It doesn't work like that. It will happen eventually, but it takes a while. In the meantime, these first months are quite difficult. Do you agree? Try to enjoy. Even they're difficult, but you will look back and say, oh, remember when we moved and we were settling in? that's why you need to find things that you love where you are. I think that's helped me a lot here. Since I arrive, I always take some time to do something that I love. And that does make. A difference. Thank you, Carolina. Thank you so much. No, thank you Maria, for inviting. It's been a pleasure learning about you your journey. Thank you so much for sharing and for being here. And I appreciate your time and for those who are listening, we also hope to add some, sense of, adventure to them as well. Thank you for reminding me. It's been great to reflect upon the process. Thank you. Carolina, thank you so much for sharing your heart and your journey with us today. Your story is such a powerful reminder that moving abroad isn't just about logistics. It's emotional work, it's grieving and growing at the same time. It's missing what we know while slowly building something new. What you shared today about finding what you love in a new place, trusting that people will show up for you. Holding onto friendships across borders and giving yourself time will resonate with so many people listening and to everyone tuning in wherever you are in your own story and journey abroad. Whether you've just arrived, you are in the messy middle, or you are finally starting to feel almost local. I hope this episode reminds you that you are not doing this alone. If you'd like more support on your journey, don't forget, you can download our free mini expat workbook. It's a simple guide written by me to help you reflect, settle, and feel more almost local, wherever you are. And if you are enjoying these conversations, it would mean a lot if you'd liked subscribed and share the episode. It really helped us grow this community. You can also follow us on Instagram at Almost Local for more stories, prompts and behind the scenes moments. Thank you for listening, and now as usual, I am off to my morning coffee and I'll see you in the next episode.