Meet Yolanda: from loneliness to belonging in the US
Meet Yolanda, a global expat who has relocated six times across the world before eventually settling in California — what started as a one-year adventure turned into 16 years, two children, and a deep journey of rebuilding home from scratch.
In this episode, Yolanda shares how she and her husband moved to the U.S. after winning the Green Card lottery, chasing sunshine and a new adventure. But beyond the excitement of Yosemite road trips and the honeymoon phase of expat life, reality soon set in: loneliness, cultural differences, and the unexpected challenge of building a life — not just living in a new place.
Yolanda opens up about the emotional side of relocating: missing the sounds of city life, struggling with surface-level friendships, and becoming a new mother far from family support. She explains how she navigated homesickness, built meaningful rituals, and intentionally created community — from coffee shop routines to long walks with her baby, and eventually returning to university at Berkeley to reconnect with purpose and people.
This conversation explores the deeper side of expat life:
Why speaking the same language doesn’t mean cultural ease
The difference between friendliness and real friendship
How to build belonging when community doesn’t come naturally
Why rituals — even small ones — can transform your expat experience
Learning what you truly need to thrive abroad
Yolanda also shares how understanding cultural differences, including what she calls a “stranger-danger” mindset in the U.S., helped her stop taking things personally and instead build authentic relationships intentionally.
This episode is a thoughtful and honest conversation about identity, resilience, and the work required to truly feel at home abroad.
Whether you're considering a move, newly relocated, or years into expat life, Yolanda’s experience is full of relatable insights and practical inspiration.
Café & Bar Recommendations (California – Marin County & Napa Area)
Blue Barn — A favorite local spot for brunch and salads (Yolanda recommends the Thai chicken salad)
Jacuzzi Family Vineyards — Beautiful vineyard near Sonoma with unique infused olive oils and wine tasting
Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs (Calistoga) — Relaxing spa experience perfect for a special day
Golden Haven Hot Springs (Calistoga) — Another wellness escape in Napa Valley
🎧 Also mentioned:
Yolanda’s podcast — The Places We Call Home
Expat song: Spice Girls Wannabe a nostalgic Brit-abroad tradition during afternoon tea gatherings
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Credits:
Intro outro Ice tea, Not the king
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