How to Move Abroad: Your Guide to Start Living Abroad – Details, episodes & analysis

Let's discuss one step you can take today to move abroad, even if you're not quite ready to move abroad... yet.

Reminiscing about things that maybe we could have done differently when we moved, I'm sharing with you some ideas of different things to consider when you're considering the move.

We'll explore different options for shipping your goods (air and sea shipments) as well as consider what the various things to consider when you're moving your things.

So whether you're ready to start packing or you're just in the start of your journey abroad, I invite you to listen in and find the first step you can take today to start your journey.

Follow me over on Instagram for all things unfiltered life abroad. @iammistelle

Ever feel like you're just not ready to make the leap abroad? Today, I'll unpack one of the biggest myths around moving overseas: the idea of being “ready.”

With over a decade of experience and three international moves under my belt, I share why “readiness” is more a mental block than a real milestone, and offer practical steps to start your journey even if you’re feeling unprepared.

From planning your budget to connecting with expat communities in your future destination, my tips are all about making your dream a reality without waiting for the elusive “perfect time.”

Join me for a candid chat on getting comfortable with the unknown and taking control of your plans.

Key Topics:

• Why the idea of being “ready” is a myth (and what’s actually holding you back)
• Practical ways to start preparing for life abroad, from budgeting to visa timelines
• How to build your new community online before you even set foot in your new country
• Tips for backward planning to feel more confident and in control of the move

Looking for our "Ultimate Move Abroad Checklist?" You can find it here:

Take me to the Checklist

Follow me on the gram: @iammistelle

If this episode inspired you to think bigger and take action, subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a friend who's ready for their own adventure! And don’t forget to download the checklist and start planning your next steps abroad.

So many people make the mistake of choosing where to move abroad based on visa requirements alone. But if you're going to uproot your life and start fresh, you want to ensure you’re building a life you actually love. In this episode of Abroadly Speaking, I walk you through the real first step of moving abroad: deciding what kind of life you want to live.

Drawing from her own experiences moving across multiple countries and continents, I share practical insights on how to choose the right place based on your lifestyle, values, and must-haves. From job opportunities and climate preferences to accessibility and outdoor activities, this episode will help you create a framework for making one of the biggest decisions of your life.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why visa requirements shouldn’t be the first thing you consider when choosing where to live abroad
• The key questions to ask yourself about your ideal lifestyle before making a move
• How climate, job availability, and transportation access should factor into your decision
• The importance of a ‘must-have’ and ‘must-not-have’ list when evaluating different countries
• A simple yet powerful ranking system to help you compare potential destinations

Resources & Links:

• ABROAD Course – Get a clear roadmap for moving abroad with step-by-step guidance
• Follow Mistelle on Instagram: @iammistelle
• Join the Abroadly Speaking community for more tips and stories

Enjoyed This Episode? If this episode helped you gain clarity on your move abroad, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s been dreaming of making the leap!

Tune in next week for another deep dive into what it really takes to live life beyond borders!

A lot of people think they have to be fluent in a new language before moving abroad—but is that actually true? In this episode of Abroadly Speaking, I share my own experience moving to a German-speaking region with barely any German, how I learned to navigate daily life, and what truly helped me become fluent over time.

Spoiler alert: You don’t need to be fluent before you go! But you do need the right mindset, strategies, and willingness to immerse yourself.

I’ll cover:

✅ The myth of needing to know the language before you move

✅ How I went from barely speaking German to using it confidently

✅ Practical ways to learn and adapt once you arrive

If fear of the language barrier is holding you back—this episode is for you.

📲 Connect with me:

📍Instagram: @iammistelle

📩 Email: welcome@mistellegodlewski.com

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it! 🚀

Ever dreamed of living abroad but don’t want to risk deportation or, you know, breaking international law? In this episode, I’m breaking down the real, legal ways to move abroad—no fake marriages or under-the-table gigs required.

From freelancer and digital nomad visas to traditional work sponsorships and even golden visas for the bougie among us, I’ll walk you through the options, the loopholes, and what you definitely shouldn’t do unless you want to be on a first-name basis with immigration officials.

So, if you’re ready to pack your bags legally, hit play and let’s talk visas!

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Leaving your pet behind when you move abroad? Yeah, that’s not happening. If you’re a pet parent planning an international move, this episode is for you. I moved abroad in 2013 with two cats (who, at the time, were my only family), so I get how stressful this can be. From breed restrictions to airline fees, microchips to health certificates—there’s a lot to consider when taking your furry friend with you.

In this episode, we’ll cover: ✅ The first steps to take when planning your pet’s move ✅ The ‘paw-sport’ (yes, really) and paperwork they’ll need ✅ Country-specific restrictions (especially for certain dog breeds) ✅ Vaccination, microchipping, and health certificate requirements ✅ Flying with pets—cargo vs. in-cabin and what to expect ✅ Budgeting for pet relocation (because, of course, it’s not cheap) ✅ Housing and finding pet-friendly rentals ✅ What to do once you arrive: vet care, registration, and emergency prep

Resources Mentioned:

📌 My Export & Ship mini-course covers pet relocation in detail, including a step-by-step process for getting your pet abroad without a headache.

📌 Need help figuring out breed restrictions or pet travel rules? DM me on Instagram!

Follow & Connect: 📍 Instagram: @iammistelle 📍 Threads: (Okay, you can’t DM me there, but you can stalk my posts.)

Hit play and let’s get Fluffy ready for their big move!

One of the biggest fears I hear about moving abroad is not being able to speak the language. It holds so many people back from taking the leap to move, but is it really that big of a problem?

In this episode, we'll talk about why NOT knowing the language before you move is NOT a problem.

You'll also hear three ways that I found that helped me go from not speaking any German (the language where I live) to fully fluent quickly.

No more excuses. No more fears. If you're feeling the itch to move abroad, don't let the fear of not knowing the language stop you from creating your life overseas.

In this special Thanksgiving episode, I'll reflect on the tradition that means the most to me and how we've made it work thousands of miles from home.

As an expat living in Switzerland, I share my journey of keeping the Thanksgiving spirit alive, even though the holiday doesn’t officially exist here. Discover the origins of my "Nomad Thanksgiving," an annual feast that brings together a melting pot of friends from all over the world, each bringing comfort foods from their own cultures. It's a tradition we call framily—friends who have become family.

Listen in as I recount stories of gratitude, community, and adapting traditions, from cooking two small turkeys to make up for a European-sized oven to finding creative substitutes for ingredients like canned pumpkin and cranberries. I also dive into the deeper challenges and joys of maintaining family traditions as an expat, including how I'm passing Thanksgiving down to my daughter in a way that’s meaningful—even if it looks a bit different.

So, whether you're an expat missing home or someone dreaming of building a life abroad, this episode is a heartwarming reminder that you don’t have to leave your traditions behind—you just might need to adapt them.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

• The origins of "Nomad Thanksgiving" and how it’s become a beloved tradition
• Creative ways to adapt holiday meals and ingredients abroad
• The beauty of sharing traditions with friends from around the world
• My personal take on building a life abroad while staying connected to family traditions

Connect with me: Follow along with the expat life and join the conversation on Instagram @iammistelle. And remember, life’s too short to stay in one place—keep that passport handy!

In this episode, I dive into one of the heaviest parts of expat life: the guilt that comes with being far from family.

For anyone who’s moved abroad or is considering it, the decision is often clouded by questions like, Will I miss out on time with my parents? Will my kids know their grandparents? What happens if there’s an emergency?

I share my personal experiences, including the emotional challenges of being an ocean away when family emergencies happen. I'll open up about how I cope with these feelings, ways my family has stayed connected despite the miles, and why choosing this path for my family’s best life doesn’t mean I don’t carry the weight of being far from loved ones.

If you'd like to chat, find out more, or just get a window into the life of an expat, I've got you. Head on over to Instagram and come along (@iammistelle)

Welcome to another episode of Abroadly Speaking, where we unravel the exciting, challenging, and sometimes tedious details of moving and living abroad. In today’s episode, we dive deep into the not-so-glamorous but absolutely crucial topic of visas—what they are, why they’re essential, and how to tackle the paperwork without losing your sanity.

If you’re daydreaming about starting a life overseas, this episode is packed with practical tips to make sure your visa process goes smoothly (or at least as painlessly as possible).

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why visas are non-negotiable: No, you can’t skip this step if you want to stay legal in your new home.
• Key documents you can prep NOW: Save time (and headaches) by getting your passport, birth certificate, marriage license, and more in order.
• The deal with apostille stamps: Spoiler: a notary stamp won’t cut it in many cases.
• How to navigate the dreaded police certificate: Yes, you may need to ask the FBI to vouch for you—don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds.
• Visa renewals are a thing: Why your journey doesn’t end after you get that first shiny visa.

Whether you're gearing up for your first move abroad or already living the expat life, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the intricate world of visas.

🎧 Don’t miss out—hit play and let’s demystify the visa process together!

Connect with me

Got questions or stories about your own visa adventures? Drop a comment or connect with me on social media [@iammistelle]—I'd love to hear from you!

Make sure to subscribe to Abroadly Speaking for more insights and tips on living your best life abroad. 🌍