Lucky to Be Here: Building Lives & Careers Abroad

A Two-Year Plan Turned into A Life Abroad: Adapting to the Unexpected with Florencia Colella

What may start as a short adventure to try something different might become the journey of a lifetime, or at least over a decade. That is what happened to our guest in today’s episode, Florencia Colella after she accepted a Fulbright scholarship. Florencia is a financial facilitator in agri-food systems. She fosters conversations around economic issues among farmers, academics and other public and private organizations. She was also a Fulbright recipient to pursue graduate studies in the US, where she has since lived on and off for over a decade.  Florencia shares her journey from Argentina to the United States starting as a Fulbright grantee for a two-year program, and navigating cultural differences, immigration challenges, and building a life abroad along the way. Throughout the conversation, we touch on several practical insights for international students and immigrants, including the financial system and the importance of building a credit score, and the role that having built a local community played when sorting out moving back and forth.  Keywords international students, immigration, cultural adaptation, US visa process, life abroad, Fulbright scholarship, cultural differences, community support, visa challenges, personal growth, bicultural relationships Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Florencia Colella 02:28 Journey to the US: The Fulbright Experience 04:18 Cultural Adaptation and Belonging 10:58 Navigating Relationships Across Cultures 13:22 The Reality of Migration and Job Offers 17:23 Settling in the US: Challenges and Community Support 26:36 Life in Fremont: Family and Stability 38:01 Reflections and Advice for Future Migrants Join our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/LuckyToBeHere [https://www.patreon.com/LuckyToBeHere] for free to receive our episodes in your inbox and our newsletter with career development reflections and resources, including career events. Paid subscribers also get access to live chats with Analía and behind-the-scenes updates.  Visit AGV Services LLC at https://www.agvservicesllc.com [https://www.agvservicesllc.com]  to learn more about how we support you in your career exploration and growth across countries through coaching and community, including our membership AGV Lab for Career Explorers [https://www.agvservicesllc.com/agv-lab]. Lucky to Be Here is hosted by Dr. Analía Gómez Vidal, C.P.C. and produced by AGV Services LLC [https://www.agvservicesllc.com/]. Sponsored by Creative Colony Spaces [https://www.creativecolonyspaces.com/].

The Pivots of The Bold Ph.D.: Gertrude Nonterah on Her Non-Linear Path to Success

We may have an idea or goal in mind, but the conditions might not work in our favor. The key? Keep what drives you top of mind and adapt. The barriers may make it hard but you can still thrive. That is at the heart of today’s episode with Dr. Gertrude Nonterah. Dr. Gertrude Nonterah has a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology. She's a scientific communications professional by day and shares post-PhD career insights for those seeking careers outside academia. Gertrude recently published a book called Navigating the P.I.V.O.T., which is a handbook for PhDs and academics looking to pivot to fulfilling careers outside the ivory tower. Gertrude shares her inspiring journey from international student to successful science communicator, highlighting the importance of self-discovery, strategic networking, and financial planning (and guilt-free ambition!) in building a fulfilling career outside academia. We discuss the importance of being proactive about your career development from the beginning, and how adapting with creativity can still offer a fulfilling career.  You can find Dr. Gertrude Nonterah and her work, including her book Navigating the P.I.V.O.T. on her website at https://theboldphd.com/ [https://theboldphd.com/]. Keywords career development, international students, PhD, science communication, networking, financial planning, career pivot, US immigration, personal branding Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Gertrude Nortra 04:08 Navigating Career Pivots 06:47 The Reality of Academia 09:53 International Student Challenges 12:46 Finding Stability and Self-Discovery 15:48 The Birth of The Bold PhD 22:07 Navigating the Transition from Academia to Industry 25:10 The Power of Personal Branding 28:17 The Importance of Early Career Development 31:18 Embracing Vulnerability and Community Support 38:44 Advice for Future PhDs: Start Early and Value Money Join our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/LuckyToBeHere [https://www.patreon.com/LuckyToBeHere] for free to receive our episodes in your inbox and our newsletter with career development reflections and resources, including career events. Paid subscribers also get access to live chats with Analía and behind-the-scenes updates.  Visit AGV Services LLC at https://www.agvservicesllc.com [https://www.agvservicesllc.com]  to learn more about how we support you in your career exploration and growth across countries through coaching and community, including our membership AGV Lab for Career Explorers [https://www.agvservicesllc.com/agv-lab]. Lucky to Be Here is hosted by Dr. Analía Gómez Vidal, C.P.C. and produced by AGV Services LLC [https://www.agvservicesllc.com/]. Sponsored by Creative Colony Spaces [https://www.creativecolonyspaces.com/].

Building La Vie En France: Osvaldo Sosa Echanis Living a Decade-Long Dream

Sometimes our immigration journey starts long before we even step foot in a new place. This week, we explore this with Osvaldo Sosa Echanis, who set himself the goal to move from Argentina to France and invested a decade into preparing to achieve it (and then some). Osvaldo Sosa Echanis is a Project Manager & Business Operations professional with 10+ years of experience in SaaS Solutions, Customer Care, and Business Development. He is originally from Argentina and has since moved to France, where he is now a citizen. Osvaldo shares about the cultural challenges, language learning, and personal growth he experienced along the way. He discusses the importance of preparation (and the risks of overpreparation), the adjustments required in his career, and the evolution of his identity as he integrates into French culture. Osvaldo emphasizes the significance of values in navigating relationships and adapting to a new environment, reflecting on how these experiences have shaped him into a better version of himself. You can find Osvaldo Sosa Echanis on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sosaechanis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sosaechanis/] and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sosaechanis [https://www.instagram.com/sosaechanis]  Keywords cultural adaptation, moving to France, language learning, career transition, personal growth, bicultural relationships, expat experience, French culture, identity transformation Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Osvaldo's Journey 06:47 Cultural Curiosity and Language Learning 12:32 Preparing for the Move to France 18:54 Career Adjustments in a New Culture 27:23 Navigating Relationships and Community 35:08 Personal Growth and Identity Transformation 40:03 Values and Mindset Shifts in a New Culture Join our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/LuckyToBeHere [https://www.patreon.com/LuckyToBeHere] for free to receive our episodes in your inbox and our newsletter with career development reflections and resources, including career events. Paid subscribers also get access to live chats with Analía and behind-the-scenes updates.  Visit AGV Services LLC at https://www.agvservicesllc.com [https://www.agvservicesllc.com]  to learn more about how we support you in your career exploration and growth across countries through coaching and community, including our membership AGV Lab for Career Explorers [https://www.agvservicesllc.com/agv-lab]. Lucky to Be Here is hosted by Dr. Analía Gómez Vidal, C.P.C. and produced by AGV Services LLC [https://www.agvservicesllc.com/]. Sponsored by Creative Colony Spaces [https://www.creativecolonyspaces.com/].

A Year Around The World with Nicole Moreno-Deinzer

Many of us have imagined what it would be like to build a life around the world. This week, Nicole Moreno-Deinzer shares her experience undergoing a project by herself, for herself: spending a full year across the world.  Nicole Moreno‑Deinzer is a serial entrepreneur, storyteller, and digital nomad from California who earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from San Francisco State University and later completed an MBA in Marketing at Mills College. She founded Epifania Culture Magazine™ and co‑founded A La Mode Branding to help BIPOC women build bold personal brands, and her work has been featured on multiple platforms and at events such as the ALT Summit and Romance Writers of America Conference. As she turns 40, Nicole is traveling abroad for a year, continuing to write, work with clients, and inspire others to live with joy, authenticity, and purpose. Nicole shares her journey as a digital nomad and entrepreneur, discussing her decision to travel abroad for a year. She reflects on her upbringing, the cultural perspectives on travel, and the planning and logistics involved in her journey. She highlights the importance of self-discovery, the challenges of balancing work and travel, and the emotional labor of explaining her choices to family and friends. She offers practical advice for aspiring travelers, encouraging them to pursue their own paths and experiences. You can find Nicole Moreno-Deinzer and follow the rest of her journey on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justnicoleco [https://www.instagram.com/justnicoleco] and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@justnicoleco [https://www.youtube.com/@justnicoleco], and learn more about her work at https://justnicoleco.com [https://justnicoleco.com]  Keywords travel, digital nomad, personal growth, entrepreneurship, cultural perspectives, year abroad, planning, logistics, work-life balance, self-discovery, Latino culture, emotional labor, travel vlogging Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Nicole Moreno-Dynecer 07:02 The Journey Begins: Nicole's Story 14:03 The Idea of a Year Abroad 21:57 Planning and Logistics of Travel 29:51 Cultural Perspectives on Travel 36:56 The Itinerary: Countries and Experiences 44:02 Balancing Work and Travel 51:03 Challenges and Surprises 56:02 Advice for Aspiring Travelers Join our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/LuckyToBeHere [https://www.patreon.com/LuckyToBeHere] for free to receive our episodes in your inbox and our newsletter with career development reflections and resources, including career events. Paid subscribers also get access to live chats with Analía and behind-the-scenes updates.  Visit AGV Services LLC at https://www.agvservicesllc.com [https://www.agvservicesllc.com]  to learn more about how we support you in your career exploration and growth across countries through coaching and community, including our membership AGV Lab for Career Explorers [https://www.agvservicesllc.com/agv-lab]. Lucky to Be Here is hosted by Dr. Analía Gómez Vidal, C.P.C. and produced by AGV Services LLC [https://www.agvservicesllc.com/]. Sponsored by Creative Colony Spaces [https://www.creativecolonyspaces.com/].

Learning (and Living in) Geographies of Global Inequalities with Kern Mangan-Walker

Kern Mangan-Walker is a 34 year old New Zealander. They are currently studying their masters of Geography of Global Inequalities at Freie Universität Berlin in Berlin, where they moved to 2 years ago. As part of attempting to make enough money to survive there, they have found themselves becoming bartender, assistant mushroom farmer, grant writer, organiser, video podcast editor, and youth worker. They are currently researching how communities respond to these new landscapes of precarity we collectively face. In the past they have been involved with the founding of several social enterprises including turning recycled plastic into furniture using 3D printing in New Zealand and early learning technology in Australia. They have also worked in philanthropy NGO fundraising for 10 years. In this conversation, Kern shares their journey from New Zealand to Berlin, exploring themes of global inequalities, the circular economy, and the challenges of being an international student. Kern discusses their academic background, the importance of community support, and the realities of navigating life in a new country, including language barriers and bureaucratic hurdles and surprises. They reflect on their experiences with precarity and the motivation to contribute to meaningful change through research and community engagement. You can find them on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kernmanganwalker/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kernmanganwalker/] or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/circularexplorer [https://www.instagram.com/circularexplorer].  Keywords Global Inequalities, Circular Economy, Language Barriers, Community Support, Student Life, Entrepreneurship, Precarity, Social Change, New Zealand, Berlin Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kern Mangan-Walker 01:11 Journey to Berlin and Circular Economy Exploration 03:19 Academic Background and Shift to Global Inequalities 06:57 Cultural Differences and Language Challenges 12:11 Navigating Life as an International Student 15:02 Challenges of Starting a Business in Germany 19:04 Coping with Setbacks and Finding Support 22:53 Community and Connection in Times of Change 28:00 Reflections on Precarity and Motivation 32:02 The Importance of Asking for Support 34:20 Building Community and Finding Purpose 37:03 Achievements and Future Aspirations Subscribe to our newsletter [https://agvservicesllc.kit.com/ltbh] to receive our video episodes in your inbox, along with our career development reflections, resources and events every Wednesday. Follow AGV Services LLC [https://www.agvservicesllc.com/] on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/agvservicesllc] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/agvservicesllc] to learn more about how we support you in your career exploration and growth across countries through coaching and community, including our membership AGV Lab for Career Explorers [https://www.agvservicesllc.com/agv-lab]. Sponsored by Creative Colony Spaces [https://www.creativecolonyspaces.com/]. Lucky to Be Here is hosted by Dr. Analía Gómez Vidal, C.P.C. and produced by AGV Services LLC [https://www.agvservicesllc.com/].