Kitchen Conversations, Building a Life in Athens

Episode 8: Georgiana Darau- Arad, Romania

In this episode, Jaime sits down with psychologist Georgiana Darau from Arad, Romania, to explore both her personal journey and the emotional realities of building a life in a new country. Having lived between France and Athens for several years before settling here full-time, Georgiana reflects on culture shock, bureaucracy, family dynamics, and the surprising similarities between Greece and Romania. Despite personal challenges and the practical advantage of living elsewhere, she explains why Athens ultimately became the place where she feels she belongs. As a therapist working primarily with internationals and bicultural individuals from more than 20 different nationalities, Georgiana shares insights into the emotional challenges of relocation, the anxiety that many newcomers experience, and the different stages of adapting to life abroad-from the honeymoon phase to culture shock, adaptation, and finally integration. Jaime and Georgiana also discuss childhood transitions, the impact of moving countries on children and families, the importance of nervous system regulation, and why seeking support during times of change is not a sign of weakness but a natural and healthy part of the human experience. This is a thoughtful and compassionate conversation about belonging, resilience, and finding your place in the world.

Episode 7: Jaime's Story, Part 2-Music, Friendship, and Heartbreak in Athens

In Part 2 of her story, Jaime reflects on her first year in Athens as a Fulbright scholar studying traditional Greek violin. From language lessons and musical discoveries to unforgettable friendships and late nights in Athens' music scene, Jaime finally begins to find the community and culture she dreamed of. But just as she decides to make Greece her home, a tragic accident changes everything. This episode is a story of music, friendship, loss, resilience, and the unexpected turns that can alter the course of a life.

Episode 6: Jaime's Story-from California to Athens

In this special episode of Kitchen Conversations, Jaime shares her own story for the first time. Growing up in Sacramento, California, Jaime dreamed of becoming a classical violinist and went on to receive elite training at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. But everything changed when she unexpectedly fell in love with the sounds of Greek traditional music. From a rebellious senior recital and a Greek restaurant in Boston to an ambitious Fulbright application, Jaime reflects on the experiences that first drew her to Greece and set her on an entirely new path. This is Part 1 of Jaime's journey from California to Athens.

Episode 5: Alessandra Della Gatta-Monza, Italy

In this episode, Jaime sits down with Alessandra from Monza, Italy, to talk about her life before and after moving to Athens. Alessandra shares memories of growing up in Monza-from Formula 1 at Parco di Monza to the Duomo and the legendary Iron Crown-before reflecting on her life in Italy and what eventually brought her to Greece. She talks about teaching Italian to foreigners, arriving in Athens, and her appreciation for the city's beautiful messiness, vibrancy, and energy. The conversation explores the similarities between Greeks and Italians, adapting to life in Athens, and the balance between the honeymoon phase of living abroad and the everyday reality of building a life somewhere new. Alessandra reflects on how the crises unexpectedly became a meaningful period for her, giving her the chance to study Greek at university, and how during the crises she was able to continue her work online. Jaime and Alessandra also talk about friendship and community in Athens, favourite neighbourhoods and places around the city, feeling safe here, the contrast between traditional and modern life in Greece, and Alessandra's love for the Aegean Sea. She shares her experience learning Greek, the ways Greeks appreciate foreigners making the effort to speak the language, and why understanding modern Greek culture is just as important as learning the language itself. They also talk about food-from Italian to Greek to Chinese cooking-Greek music, Monza's rainy winters compared with Athens sunshine, and the joy of continuing to travel while still feeling deeply connected to life in Athens.

Episode 4: Soraja Hadzalic-Oskarshamn, Sweden

In this episode, Soraja talks about living abroad before eventually moving to Athens, and the social burnout that pushed her toward change. She discusses receiving a job offer in Greece, adapting to Athenian work culture, and her surprise at discovering that Greeks can seem reserved at first-but deeply generous once they truly know you. The conversation explores her eventual love for Athens, discovering the city through basketball, nightlife, dating culture, and meeting her husband Kostas. Soraja also speaks about integration, getting married both at the courthouse and on the beach, navigating the Covid lockdown in Athens, and the exceptional care she received during pregnancy and childbirth compared to Sweden. Jaime and Soraja also discuss naming her boys, small but memorable experiences with racism, the "Antifa" neighbourhood of Exarcheia, an unexpected encounter there involving anarchists, the new metro construction in the area, and advice for anyone dreaming of building a life in Athens. And finally, Soraja turns the tables on Jaime -encouraging her to begin sharing her own story on the podcast.