Unpacked: Global Citizens

Value Beyond Money: Navigating Personal Finance Abroad with Dexter Zhuang

Welcome to this week's podcast episode where we have the pleasure of introducing you to Dexter Zhuang, a Chinese-American expat living in Singapore. Dexter's journey is one of courage, adventure, and the pursuit of building a life that aligns with his personal values. Dexter's story begins in Canada, where he was born to parents from Shanghai. As a Chinese-American growing up in the Midwest, he learned to navigate the cultural complexities of balancing his ethnic identity with his American upbringing. He then moved to the East Coast to attend Dartmouth College, before starting his tech career in Silicon Valley on the West Coast. Despite his success in the fast-paced tech world, Dexter's internal compass always pointed towards adventure, new experiences, and a sense of purpose. This prompted him to leave San Francisco and move to Singapore, where he founded the Money Abroad newsletter with the aim of helping expats to implement systems for building wealth overseas. One of the key takeaways from Dexter's story is the importance of personal finance. He learned firsthand that setting up systems and automations is possible even in complex setups across countries. This is an essential lesson for anyone seeking to take control of their financial future, regardless of where they are in the world. Dexter encourages us to prioritize self-care and self-love and to avoid seeking external validation. He believes that building habits and making connections are key to feeling at home in a new place. This mentality allows him to fully embrace the opportunities and joys that come with living in different countries. We hope that Dexter's journey has inspired you to take control of your finances and pursue adventure. Don’t forget to share this episode with your friends and leave us a review. Thank you with a big smile. --- Stay in touch --- Join our community on Instagram: ⁠@unpackedglobal⁠ [https://instagram.com/unpackedglobal?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=] Or stay in touch with us on our Facebook page: ⁠Unpacked: Global Citizens Podcast⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/unpackedglobal/] --- Show Notes --- Dexter's newsletter: Money Abroad [https://www.moneyabroad.co/] Dexter's Linkedin: https://sg.linkedin.com/in/dexter-zhuang [https://sg.linkedin.com/in/dexter-zhuang] Link to Dexter's Career Mapping Toolkit: Values Discovery Exercise [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19LOAHBSSOO25mlUs0v83hmk-h3gY8nU5SjgKKHb0BNo/edit?usp=sharing]

From Italian to Californian: A Scientist’s Journey to Fighting Climate Change with Sammy Pontrelli

Join us in this episode as we sit down with Sammy Pontrelli, a scientist and a proud Californian whose upbringing has shaped his identity in unexpected ways. We delve into his journey of self-discovery, from identifying as an Italian, to an Italian American, and now as a Californian living in Switzerland. Food has played a significant role in Sammy's life, especially his family's Italian sausage-making business, which has influenced his identity. But what food does he miss the most? Would you believe it's not a burger, but Asian cuisine in LA? Sammy's journey doesn't just end with food, he's also a brilliant scientist with a PhD in Chemical Engineering from UCLA. His current research in marine biology at ETH Zurich has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of bacteria in the ocean and the fight against climate change. Through his experience, he emphasizes the importance of having a supportive network and work environment to feel at home in a new place. In academia and the sciences, cultural diversity and collaboration across labs around the world provide unique perspectives and opportunities to learn about different cultures. So, grab a cup of coffee, tune in, and join us in this captivating conversation with Sammy.  Please share this episode with your family and friends and leave us a review. Thank you with a big smile! --- Stay in touch --- Join our community on Instagram: ⁠@unpackedglobal⁠ [https://instagram.com/unpackedglobal?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=] Or stay in touch with us on our Facebook page: ⁠Unpacked: Global Citizens Podcast⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/unpackedglobal/]

Overcoming Rootlessness and Restlessness: Learning to Find Happiness in the Moment with Grace Morelos

Today, we are happy to welcome Grace Morelos with us on the podcast. Born in the Philippines and having lived in Thailand and the United States during her formative years, she is now a teacher at an international school in Jakarta, Indonesia.  Her experiences as a Third Culture Kid were pivotal in her professional journey – she is dedicated to supporting children going through the challenges of transitioning to a new school system, language and culture as she once did. Grace is the teacher that she needed when she was a student. Grace has written a Master’s thesis about how travel can help ease rootlessness and restlessness among third culture kids. Travel can provide a "breath of fresh air" and a change of scenery that helps us stay grounded for longer periods of time in any given place. Accomplishments are not always measured through awards and achievements – sometimes it's about learning to be content with who you are, what you have, without feeling the need to constantly reach for more.  We hope that this episode motivates you to go out there and explore the world, not just physically but also mentally. Please share this episode with your family and friends and leave us a review. --- Stay in touch --- Join our community on Instagram: ⁠@unpackedglobal⁠ [https://instagram.com/unpackedglobal?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=] Or stay in touch with us on our Facebook page: ⁠Unpacked: Global Citizens Podcast⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/unpackedglobal/] --- Show notes --- Correction: Grace is a 1st grade teacher (not 4th grade).

Fearless Pursuit of Connections: Embracing Vulnerability and Forming Lasting Bonds from Sydney to Paris with Adam Newman

We are delighted to have Adam Newman with us today. Adam is from Sydney, Australia and has been living and working in multiple cities, including Perth, Helsinki, London, and Paris.  After graduating from a classical music conservatory, he earned an MBA and found success in the tech industry. He is now the Head of Marketing for a Medical Technology company, based in Paris. Adam began his fascinating journey in France 6 years ago, when he arrived in Paris for a week of holidays without speaking any French. What was meant to be just a vacation, turned into something special; he fell in love with the language and culture and has been living in Paris ever since. Through his experience becoming fluent in French, Adam discovered that overcoming language barriers can open up a world of opportunities. It has also helped him to form relationships with locals that have flourished into strong long-lasting friendships. His story highlights the importance of family ties, as Adam remains extremely close to his family despite being oceans apart and thousands of miles away. This shows that no matter how far apart we are physically, it is possible to stay connected emotionally. He reminds us the importance of not being afraid to be vulnerable and to ask for help. It’s ok not to be ok. We need to be patient to deal with life’s challenges and to take things one step at a time, instead of expecting instant gratification. --- Stay in touch --- Join our community on Instagram: @unpackedglobal [https://instagram.com/unpackedglobal?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=] Or stay in touch with us on our Facebook page: Unpacked: Global Citizens Podcast [https://www.facebook.com/unpackedglobal/]

Finding Harmony in Differences: The Universal Language of Music with Esme Wong

Today, we welcome Esme Wong to the podcast. Her story is one of adventure, resilience and passion. Born in Malaysia in a Malaysian-Chinese family, Esme has spent the last 15 years exploring the world and making it her own. Her journey began when she left her home country to attend UWC and a music conservatory in Italy. This experience springboarded her journey across continents to complete her bachelor's and master's degrees in music in the US. Esme is a trained classical pianist and professional opera coach who has been using music as a vehicle for social change. Music is more than just notes on a page, it is a language that can bring people together and drive positive change in society. To build stage confidence, she would sign up for extra performances, overcoming nerves through practice and sheer determination. But her story isn't just about music - it's also about her effortless ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Wherever she goes, she makes friends easily by starting with an open mind and accepting differences with innate curiosity for new cultures and places. She finds similarities between people as well as using food as a platform to connect with others. Recently, she moved to Dresden, Germany with her husband for the next chapter in their journey. We hope that her story resonated with you and that you will be able to take something away from it. --- Stay in touch --- Join our community on Instagram: @unpackedglobal [https://instagram.com/unpackedglobal?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=] Or stay in touch with us on our Facebook page: Unpacked: Global Citizens Podcast [https://www.facebook.com/unpackedglobal/]