Community Mental Health Walk in Vondelpark Amsterdam, NL. Connecting, walking, enjoying nature! Last Friday evening, May 8, I hosted the “Stronger Together” Community Walk in Amsterdam as part of European Mental Health Week, in collaboration with Mental Health Europe. Across Europe, more than 40 events took place under this year’s theme: “Stronger Together.” This walk in Amsterdam was part of the Community pillar, focused on something simple but essential — connection, belon

A community walk in Amsterdam focused on connection, belonging, and mental wellbeing for internationals. We are living in uncertain times. And in my work as a counselor, I see how much that uncertainty can impact people’s sense of stability, belonging, and wellbeing — especially for those living abroad. Living abroad can be deeply enriching. It brings new opportunities, perspectives, and growth. But life doesn’t pause. There are still moments of loss, illness, setbacks, homes

Life transitions are a normal part of life. Whether you’ve recently moved abroad or have been living overseas for years, new challenges can bring up emotions that you might ignore - especially when you feel expected to “muscle through” changes. Explore the emotions that come with life transitions while living abroad. Emotions that often come with a transition: Emotional rollercoaster: Ups and downs that can feel exhausting Questioning yourself: Constantly asking, “Who

There’s something people don’t often talk about when it comes to living abroad. It’s not just the big move that’s challenging. It’s everything that comes after - especially the life transitions you didn’t plan for. Life transitions happen to everyone, but living abroad adds extra layers that can make them feel more overwhelming. They happen while you’re sorting out systems that aren’t fully familiar. Without the same support structures you might have had before. And often, w

Living abroad can be exciting — new experiences, a new culture, and so many opportunities. Over time, many internationals feel the “honeymoon” phase wear off, and living life with all its transitions becomes the reality. Whether you’ve just arrived or have been living internationally for years, life doesn’t pause because you’re far from home. Career changes, family milestones, identity shifts, or feelings of isolation can feel more intense when your usual support network isn’

➡️ It can be hard to separate what’s happening in the world from how we show up in our daily lives. The world feels heavy right now. In my counseling work , especially with people living abroad, I keep noticing this: ➡️ Global stress layers on to personal stress. When something big is happening in the world, it’s hard to separate it from your own daily life. It all blends together. ~You can care deeply about what’s happening globally and still feel lonely living abroad. ~You

Watching the news from Amsterdam has brought up a mix of sadness, anger, worry, and helplessness - especially as community members continue to protest and demand accountability in the face of federal immigration operations and violence. I am also feeling so proud of Minnesotans who are brave, kind and resisting - despite their fear and bitter cold temperatures. Living internationally, far from home is very hard - as I want to support and show up for the community I care abo

❄️ For the past few days, it’s been snowing in Amsterdam. I know it will be short lived and it's been a bit disruptive. Snow always makes me feel nostalgic. I grew up with long, cold winters where fresh snow made things look beautiful, lifted moods, and kids and adults wanted to be outside playing. These brief snowy days in Amsterdam tie me to earlier versions of myself and remind me how much I love winter. From a therapeutic perspective, nostalgia is not a step backward bu

Think again — the emotional work can last years, and it’s often overlooked. Just over a week ago, I delivered a virtual presentation to staff at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in Parma, Italy titled: “Let’s Talk About Integration: Navigating Life in a New or Not-So-New Location.” We explored what adjustment after relocation really looks like — not just paperwork and housing, but belonging, identity, and the emotional impact of building a life in a new (or not-so-ne

Did you read the first two posts in the series? 1️⃣ In September Shifting I shared ideas for easing the fall transition after summer,...

In my last post September Shifting I wrote about seasonal changes - cooler days, yellow leaves, it's dark earlier in the evening - and the return to routines after summer. 🌏 For internationals, September often means more than seasonal shifts: · Returning from holidays in your home country · Re-adjusting to a city that feels familiar but not fully your own · Jumping back into work, school, or social routines abroad 🏄‍♀️ It’s natural to feel homesickness, gr

This morning, when I went out for my early run, I really noticed a change in the weather. Just last week, I spotted a few yellow leaves hanging on the trees, but today, there are more of them - on the trees and scattered on the ground. The days are getting shorter, there's a very slight chill in the air, and the rain’s back in Amsterdam. A lot of friends and fellow entrepreneurs have mentioned “summer went by so fast!” and I couldn’t agree more. It feels like the transition

🌏 Coming back after visiting your home country can be a swirl of emotions. You might be feeling homesickness, culture shock, ...

It’s something I often say to clients , and my family is living it right now. We are in another transition: our son is finishing...

🎉 The highlight of every month, the 4th Tuesday of the month - is hosting Netwalking and our June Amsterdam Netwalk is nearly here. ...

Moving abroad means you’re constantly making decisions — all while navigating: ✔️Cultural differences ✔️Language barriers ✔️New systems (banking, healthcare, setting up your cable) ✔️Building a social life ✔️Daily tasks like grocery shopping, buying clothes, mailing packages Decision-making always carries risk. We often worry about making the “right” choice or fear regretting the decisions we make. The truth is the only thing we can control is the decision itself — not the

Yes! A walk can help you connect in your new or not-so-new community. See my video below for why I think a walk can foster connection. ...

With research programs being cut and university funding under threat, many scientists may be exploring opportunities abroad. Just this...

“We don’t know how long we’ll be here.” I sure have. Maybe it's you who is facing this uncertainty! Are you living with “one foot here and one foot there”? What I mean is: you’ve relocated but aren’t sure how long you’ll stay in your new location, and you might be relocating again in the future. Do you feel lonely or isolated because you’re hesitant to invest emotionally in a person or place, knowing you might eventually have to say goodbye? Have you found yourself wonder

I am hearing the chatter - many people are considering leaving the U.S and need information. It's true, there are beautiful buildings...