Expat shame: Getting over unrealistic expectations when settled abroad

Expats have a lot of pressure to succeed in their new lives abroad. And this can be difficult emotionally and mentally. [Click here to view the online version.](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0TxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL3dlYmxpbmsucGhwP2lkZW50PUkyLVFQMS1rLXRKa2MmaWRlPWIyZDQ3MGVmMzU1ODhlYmIwMzUyMzJjYmI5OTA3NmM2Jm50PTE1OTkzNzI0MzAmYWx2PVoyVjJabWRsYm5wdmJubHhhblpoT1RGQWRIcHVkbmt1Y0dKNk9qRTRNalkzT1RJPSZrbmlsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmV4cGF0LmNvbSUyRnZpZXdOZXdzbGV0dGVyT25MaW5lJTJGNTEwNV8zNDU2MjcxXzE4MjY3OTIuaHRtbFcDc3BjQgoAKlGIUF-GtE2rUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [Logo](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0TFaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL3dlYmxpbmsucGhwP2lkZW50PUkyLVFQMS10My10SmtjJmlkZT1iMmQ0NzBlZjM1NTg4ZWJiMDM1MjMyY2JiOTkwNzZjNiZudD0xNTk5MzcyNDMwJmFsdj1aMlYyWm1kbGJucHZibmx4YW5aaE9URkFkSHB1ZG5rdWNHSjZPakU0TWpZM09UST0ma25pbD13d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tJTJGZW4lMkZleHBhdC1tYWclMkZXA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Your weekly Expat Mag newsletter](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0QiaHR0cDovL3d3dy5leHBhdC5jb20vZW4vZXhwYXQtbWFnL1cDc3BjQgoAKlGIUF-GtE2rUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [Everyday life What is 'expat shame', how to recognise it and how to get over it?](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0RraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL2V4cGF0LW1hZy8zNjQ2LXdoYXQtaXMtZXhwYXQtc2hhbWUtaG93LXRvLXJlY29nbml6ZS1pdC1hbmQtaG93LXRvLWdldC1vdmVyLWl0Lmh0bWxXA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [What is 'expat shame', how to recognise it and how to get over it?](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0RraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL2V4cGF0LW1hZy8zNjQ2LXdoYXQtaXMtZXhwYXQtc2hhbWUtaG93LXRvLXJlY29nbml6ZS1pdC1hbmQtaG93LXRvLWdldC1vdmVyLWl0Lmh0bWxXA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [When you announce to your friends and family that you're leaving everything behind to pursue your dream job abroad, they expect nothing less from you than success. And the truth is, you do too. But what happens when things do not quite go your way? Psychologist and expat counsellor, Gabriela Encina talks to Expat.com about Expat Shame. Read more](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0RraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL2V4cGF0LW1hZy8zNjQ2LXdoYXQtaXMtZXhwYXQtc2hhbWUtaG93LXRvLXJlY29nbml6ZS1pdC1hbmQtaG93LXRvLWdldC1vdmVyLWl0Lmh0bWxXA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Work Interview of International Mobility advisor on the future of expatriation after the COVID-19](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0SJaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL2V4cGF0LW1hZy8zNjQ3LWludGVydmlldy1vZi1pbnRlcm5hdGlvbmFsLW1vYmlsaXR5LWFkdmlzb3Itb24tdGhlLWZ1dHVyZS1vZi1leHBhdHJpYXRpb24tYWZ0ZXItdGhlLWNvdmlkLTE5Lmh0bWxXA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Interview of International Mobility advisor on the future of expatriation after the COVID-19](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0SJaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL2V4cGF0LW1hZy8zNjQ3LWludGVydmlldy1vZi1pbnRlcm5hdGlvbmFsLW1vYmlsaXR5LWFkdmlzb3Itb24tdGhlLWZ1dHVyZS1vZi1leHBhdHJpYXRpb24tYWZ0ZXItdGhlLWNvdmlkLTE5Lmh0bWxXA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Bruno Antoine, an International Mobility advisor, speaks to Expat.com about the future of expatriation after the COVID-19. He specialises in several destinations in Southeast Asia. Read more](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0SJaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL2V4cGF0LW1hZy8zNjQ3LWludGVydmlldy1vZi1pbnRlcm5hdGlvbmFsLW1vYmlsaXR5LWFkdmlzb3Itb24tdGhlLWZ1dHVyZS1vZi1leHBhdHJpYXRpb24tYWZ0ZXItdGhlLWNvdmlkLTE5Lmh0bWxXA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Your expat health insurance](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0ShaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL3Nwb25zb3JzL2V4cGF0cmlhdGUtaGVhbHRoLWluc3VyYW5jZS5odG1sP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1leHBhdF9tYWdfY292aWRfMTlfZW4mdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9aW50ZXJuYWxXA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Insurance Partner](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0ShaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL3Nwb25zb3JzL2V4cGF0cmlhdGUtaGVhbHRoLWluc3VyYW5jZS5odG1sP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1leHBhdF9tYWdfY292aWRfMTlfZW4mdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9aW50ZXJuYWxXA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) Whether you are about to relocate or already living in your host country, having an expat health insurance plan is essential. [Get my free quote](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0ShaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL3Nwb25zb3JzL2V4cGF0cmlhdGUtaGVhbHRoLWluc3VyYW5jZS5odG1sP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1leHBhdF9tYWdfY292aWRfMTlfZW4mdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9aW50ZXJuYWxXA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Schools & studies Back to school: What this means for parents and children amidst the COVID-19 crisis](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0R6aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL2V4cGF0LW1hZy8zNjQ4LWNoYWxsZW5nZXMtb2YtYmFjay10by1zY2hvb2wtYW1pZHN0LXRoZS1jcmlzaXMtZm9yLWV4cGF0LXBhcmVudHMtYW5kLWNoaWxkcmVuLmh0bWxXA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Back to school: What this means for parents and children amidst the COVID-19 crisis](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0R6aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL2V4cGF0LW1hZy8zNjQ4LWNoYWxsZW5nZXMtb2YtYmFjay10by1zY2hvb2wtYW1pZHN0LXRoZS1jcmlzaXMtZm9yLWV4cGF0LXBhcmVudHMtYW5kLWNoaWxkcmVuLmh0bWxXA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [After several months of online learning, students around the world will be going back to school in the coming weeks. While we do not seem to be seeing the end of the sanitary crisis, what does resuming school mean for parents and children? Read more](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0R6aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL2V4cGF0LW1hZy8zNjQ4LWNoYWxsZW5nZXMtb2YtYmFjay10by1zY2hvb2wtYW1pZHN0LXRoZS1jcmlzaXMtZm9yLWV4cGF0LXBhcmVudHMtYW5kLWNoaWxkcmVuLmh0bWxXA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Health System Interview: Erika and Sara talk about pregnancy in Australia](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0RsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL2V4cGF0LW1hZy8zNjU3LWVyaWthLWFuZC1zYXJhLXRhbGstYWJvdXQtcHJlZ25hbmN5LWFuZC1jaGlsZGJpcnRoLWluLWF1c3RyYWxpYS5odG1sVwNzcGNCCgAqUYhQX4a0TatSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkxQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Interview: Erika and Sara talk about pregnancy in Australia](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0RsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL2V4cGF0LW1hZy8zNjU3LWVyaWthLWFuZC1zYXJhLXRhbGstYWJvdXQtcHJlZ25hbmN5LWFuZC1jaGlsZGJpcnRoLWluLWF1c3RyYWxpYS5odG1sVwNzcGNCCgAqUYhQX4a0TatSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkxQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Erika and Sara met in 2015 in Brisbane and immediately bonded. Both experienced pregnancy and childbirth in Australia, and are now enjoying their beautiful babies. From their friendship, and their expatriate experience, the 'Mamme Down Under' Facebook group was born, which helps all Italian new mothers with information and advice. Read more](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0RsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL2V4cGF0LW1hZy8zNjU3LWVyaWthLWFuZC1zYXJhLXRhbGstYWJvdXQtcHJlZ25hbmN5LWFuZC1jaGlsZGJpcnRoLWluLWF1c3RyYWxpYS5odG1sVwNzcGNCCgAqUYhQX4a0TatSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkxQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Speak the Language Like a Native](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0RUaHR0cHM6Ly9leHBhdC5wb3N0YWZmaWxpYXRlcHJvLmNvbS9zY3JpcHRzL2NsaWNrLnBocD9hX2FpZD1leHBhdC1ibG9nJmFfYmlkPWE2OThkMThmVwNzcGNCCgAqUYhQX4a0TatSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkxQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Mondly Languages](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0RUaHR0cHM6Ly9leHBhdC5wb3N0YWZmaWxpYXRlcHJvLmNvbS9zY3JpcHRzL2NsaWNrLnBocD9hX2FpZD1leHBhdC1ibG9nJmFfYmlkPWE2OThkMThmVwNzcGNCCgAqUYhQX4a0TatSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkxQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) Are you living abroad? Communicate with the locals fluently and fast with Mondly's fun language courses! Get Lifetime Access with 95% OFF to one of the most popular language learning apps in the world. Take advantage of this limited-time deal and speak as fluently as a native fast! [Learn more](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0RUaHR0cHM6Ly9leHBhdC5wb3N0YWZmaWxpYXRlcHJvLmNvbS9zY3JpcHRzL2NsaWNrLnBocD9hX2FpZD1leHBhdC1ibG9nJmFfYmlkPWE2OThkMThmVwNzcGNCCgAqUYhQX4a0TatSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkxQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Everyday life Volunteering abroad: an American expat tells us about his experience](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0RraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL2V4cGF0LW1hZy8zNjUwLXZvbHVudGVlcmluZy1hYnJvYWQtamVycnktbmVsc29uLXRlbGxzLXVzLWFib3V0LWhpcy1leHBlcmllbmNlLmh0bWxXA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Volunteering abroad: an American expat tells us about his experience](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0RraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL2V4cGF0LW1hZy8zNjUwLXZvbHVudGVlcmluZy1hYnJvYWQtamVycnktbmVsc29uLXRlbGxzLXVzLWFib3V0LWhpcy1leHBlcmllbmNlLmh0bWxXA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Jerry Nelson, an American expat in Buenos Aires, tells us about his experience volunteering abroad as an expat and what he has learnt from it. Read more](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0RraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL2V4cGF0LW1hZy8zNjUwLXZvbHVudGVlcmluZy1hYnJvYWQtamVycnktbmVsc29uLXRlbGxzLXVzLWFib3V0LWhpcy1leHBlcmllbmNlLmh0bWxXA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [More articles](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0QiaHR0cDovL3d3dy5leHBhdC5jb20vZW4vZXhwYXQtbWFnL1cDc3BjQgoAKlGIUF-GtE2rUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [facebook](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0RZaHR0cDovL3d3dy5leHBhdC5jb20vd2VibGluay5waHA_aWRlbnQ9SzItWnMtRS1XN2YyJmtuaWw9d3d3LmZhY2Vib29rLmNvbSUyRmV4cGF0LmJsb2clMkZXA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [twitter](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0RVaHR0cDovL3d3dy5leHBhdC5jb20vd2VibGluay5waHA_aWRlbnQ9SzItWnMtRi1XN2YyJmtuaWw9d3d3LnR3aXR0ZXIuY29tJTJGZXhwYXRfYmxvZ1cDc3BjQgoAKlGIUF-GtE2rUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [linkedin](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0RfaHR0cDovL3d3dy5leHBhdC5jb20vd2VibGluay5waHA_aWRlbnQ9SzItWnMtaC1XN2YyJmtuaWw9d3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRmNvbXBhbnklMkY2MjQ3ODklMkZXA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [instagram](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0RkaHR0cDovL3d3dy5leHBhdC5jb20vd2VibGluay5waHA_aWRlbnQ9SzItWnMtSGMtVzdmMiZrbmlsPXd3dy5pbnN0YWdyYW0uY29tJTJGZXhwYXRfY29tJTJGJTNGaGwlM0RlblcDc3BjQgoAKlGIUF-GtE2rUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [youtube](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0SFaHR0cDovL3d3dy5leHBhdC5jb20vd2VibGluay5waHA_aWRlbnQ9SzItWnMtSWMtVzdmMiZrbmlsPXd3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbSUyRmNoYW5uZWwlMkZVQ3NxWnJoRDlraFd0MmpFLW1QT0FBMGclM0Z2aWV3X2FzJTNEc3Vic2NyaWJlclcDc3BjQgoAKlGIUF-GtE2rUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [Unsubscribe here](~/AAGzbgA~/RgRhMw1RP0SGaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwYXQuY29tL2VuL3Vuc3Vic2NyaWJlLW1hcmtldGluZy9kOGE1YzVhOTFhYzk1M2EyNWM2MmY4ZGMyMzBiMWFlZmYxMzEwZTEzNDgwNzZiMjJhMTg2YThmYjE1YThmNDI2MzRmYzVkOTMwMjNiYzU4NWYyZGZkNS9XA3NwY0IKACpRiFBfhrRNq1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA), if you do not wish to receive these types of emails.