Your family just booked their flights. Or a close friend is finally coming to visit. And you feel… a swirl of emotions. Excitement, yes. But also overwhelm. Guilt. A kind of stress you can't quite explain. Sound familiar? I am not exaggerating when I say this: nearly every international I talk to brings this topic up. Because there are so many emotions involved, it can feel hard to talk about - so instead people just keep welcoming visitors and continue to feel resentment, overwhelm, stress,...

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, belonging, and being...

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, homesickness,...