Expat

6 Weird Things about America that Keep Me Up at Night

Over the years (and on this blog), I’ve done more than my fair share of (lovingly) poking fun of the UK as I try to navigate life here after moving from America to the UK. However, I’m an equal opportunist, and there are some weird things about America that also seem bizarre…

On Being Homesick When You Can’t Go Home

Note: this post was originally written in 2016 and I have left it up to serve as a reminder of my journey as an expat in London The week ahead is full of good things for me. The Home Office has taken money out of my bank account, which means…

Reverse Culture Shock: How to Get Over It (or not)

Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about reverse culture shock symptoms and reverse culture shock as a study abroad student from prospective study abroad students heading off in the next term or looking to come to London at some point in the future. Those conversations are filled with…

7 Need-to-Know Tips for Applying for a UK Visa (Personal Experience + Advice)

This time of the year tends to be a popular time to apply for a UK Visa, whether it’s to start your upcoming Spring semester abroad or attempt to spend the holidays with your English spouse or partner. To help anyone undertake the mammoth task of applying for a UK…

I (Won’t) Be Home for the Holidays: An Expat Story

If there’s one time of year that cuts every expat deep in all the feels, it’s the holidays. See, the rest of the year it’s way easier convince yourself that it’s okay you’re not in your home country because everyone is so spread out anyway. It’s not like aunt Marge…

An American Girl’s (Honest) Guide to British Television

One of the major benefits of British life and differences between British and American television is the opportunity to be exposed to a rich history of entertainment, culture, and the arts. American fans of British TV will know that this is the home of Shakespeare, the Beatles, and every romantic…

8 Ways to Cope with Homesickness as an Expat (It Can Be Done!)

If you’ve ever been an long-term expat or even lived in another country for a couple of months, it’s highly likely (okay, basically 100% guaranteed) that you’ve experienced homesickness in one way or another. Coping with homesickness as an expat is inherently difficult, as you’re effectively trying to establish a…

Discover the 13 Best American Food Stores in London (+ Locations!)

I’m going to level with you. Finding the best American food stores in London was one of the first things I did when I moved to the UK from America. (Well, after reading the book Watching the English, which you should absolutely click here to check it out on Amazon…

15 Noticeable Differences Between British and American Weddings

These past few weekends have been ‘wedding season,’ not only for me, but also for the dozens of coworkers and friends I’ve spoken to who are hopping from wedding-to-wedding this month. There’s something about spring and summer in the UK that makes it a perfect time to say “I do,”…

How to Overcome Culture Shock Like a Pro: Understanding the 5 Stages of Culture Shock

Whether you’re an expat, a study abroad student, or the occasional traveler, culture shock is not a foreign concept. Well, if you want to get technical, it actually is a foreign concept, but you know what I mean. We often use the phrase, “culture shock” to describe the feeling of being awed…

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