Bianca From Romania: Gymnastics Opened the World to Me

Bianca From Romania: Gymnastics Opened the World to Me

In this episode, I sit down with Bianca, a former Romanian world champion gymnast, researcher, and expat living in Prague. We talk about her incredible journey—from growing up by the Black Sea in Romania to competing on the world stage, studying in Finland, coaching in France, and eventually creating a new home in the Czech Republic. Bianca shares how gymnastics shaped her discipline and outlook on life, why Prague was only supposed to be a six-month stop, and how unexpected opportunities convinced her to stay. We also dive into cultural differences, learning Czech, balancing ambition with intuition, and the small moments that make a city truly feel like home. Whether you're an expat, considering moving abroad, or simply curious about the stories behind people's journeys, this episode is full of thoughtful reflections on identity, resilience, and embracing life's unexpected paths. ✨ In this episode, we discuss: * Growing up in Romania and becoming a world champion gymnast * Living in Finland, France, and finally Prague * Finding community through sport * Cultural surprises in the Czech Republic * Building a career in academia after elite sports * The challenges of language learning and staying connected to family * Why "home" is sometimes a place you never planned to stay 🎙️ If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to follow the podcast and leave a rating—it really helps more people discover these inspiring expat stories.

From India: I Came to Prague for Christmas and Never Left

What makes someone leave India, study in Lithuania, and eventually build a life in Prague? In this episode of the Xuxu Podcast, I sit down with an expat who has lived in six countries, traveled to nearly 40, and ultimately decided that Prague was the place to call home. We talk about: • Falling in love with Prague during a Christmas trip • Why Prague feels more Central European than Eastern European • The reality of learning Czech (and surviving the Czech Post Office) • Getting permanent residency after nearly a decade in the Czech Republic • Favorite cafés, bars, parks, and hidden spots in Prague • Living in Lithuania, Malta, Canada, and beyond • Travel, identity, and feeling at home abroad • Regrets, personal growth, and saying yes to new experiences • Why success isn't about numbers Whether you're an expat, traveler, digital nomad, or simply curious about life in Prague, this conversation is full of honest stories, laughs, and reflections. 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with internationals, creators, and interesting people living in Prague. #Prague #CzechRepublic #ExpatLife #MovingAbroad #TravelPodcast #PragueLife #DigitalNomad #XuxuPodcast

From Istanbul to Brno: This Is Your Sign to Quit Corporate Life

What happens when you leave Istanbul, start from scratch in Brno, build a career in IT… and then decide to buy a van and launch your own moving business? In this episode of Xuxu, I talk with the founder of Omut Express about moving to Czechia, building a life in Brno, quitting corporate life, and helping more than 320 people move across Prague, Brno, and Europe. We talk about career changes, expat life, best moments, Czech surprises, svíčková, faith, risk-taking, and why sometimes you need to be “a little bit crazy” to build the life you want. A warm, funny, and motivating conversation about starting over — and keeping going. In this episode: * Moving from Istanbul to Brno * Starting a career in IT * Quitting corporate life * Building OT Express from scratch * Czech culture shocks and favorite traditions * Why failure can become a blessing * The power of just doing it 🎧 Listen to more episodes of Xuxu on Spotify.

S2: Episode 1 - Charlanne from USA

In this episode of Xuxu, I talk with Charlanne, an American expat who moved to Prague in 2013 and ended up building a whole new life in the Czech Republic. What started as a trip with her dad to Prague turned into a major life change: leaving behind plans to become a police officer in the US, falling in love, staying in Prague, raising a family, and now moving into a tiny house near Olomouc. Charlanne also shares what surprised her most about Czech society, how she met her Czech husband on Tinder, what giving birth in the Czech Republic was really like, and why she’s trading Prague for village life. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to move to Prague, start over abroad, or build a life far from where you thought you’d end up, this episode is for you. In this episode: * moving from the US to Prague * culture shock in the Czech Republic * dating and finding love in Prague * expat motherhood * giving birth in Czech hospitals * learning Czech * leaving city life for a tiny house near Prague Xuxu is a podcast about expat lives, identity, change, and the stories people carry with them in Prague and beyond.

Episode 12: Closing season 1 with Xuxu

Welcome to the final episode of Season 1, an episode mostly about xuxu. But i needed a host - so I invited my friend Martin. The first ever Czech person I was in touch with. After a full season of interviewing expats about their first days, culture shocks, integration stories, and life in the Czech Republic, Martin steps into the hot seat to share his own perspective - as the first Czech guest on the show. Together, we revisit: * 🇨🇿 What foreigners really think before moving to the Czech Republic * ✈️ First impressions of Prague back in 2017 * 🌍 Eastern Europe vs. Central Europe — does it matter? * 🏥 Navigating healthcare, language barriers, and real integration * 🍺 Beer culture similarities between France and Czechia It’s a reflective, funny, and heartfelt conversation about identity, belonging, and what “home” really means after 8 years abroad. Thank you for being part of Season 1. 💛