Love your story! I am originally from hongkong and I myself also moved to Germany. I ended up living there for more than a decade before moving to the US. My husband is German and we made a long pros and cons list too to decide whether we should moved to the US. It was a hard decision. I totally agree with you that one of the toughest thing of moving abroad is the society expectation. People expect you to follow traditional path and see anything else you do as "abnormal". Besides, being away far from family can be hard for both sides. Looking forward to read more of your stories and perspective ❤️
Thank you for such a thoughtful and heartfelt comment. It's amazing how much we have in common—and that's one of the things I truly value about this Substack community. You're so right: society's expectations can be the hardest weight to carry. There are moments when they almost hold me back from pursuing what I really want. But then I imagine the life I’d have if I didn’t take the leap—and that version of life just isn’t one I’m willing to accept. That clarity always brings me back to my path and strengthens my resolve.
So happy to have you in the Inclusion Room. We’re walking this path abroad together — with all its twists, turns, and wonders. I love to share our stories and hear your challenges, experiences and what you have learned along the way!
This was so interesting! Thank you, Emanuela and Katharina, for sharing so openly about your experiences. There were so many things I could relate to! Where to start...
Emanuela – that thirst and excitement that comes with thinking about potentially moving to new countries. Katharina – everything you mentioned about being in an international couple, and the reflections on what draws someone to live in North America vs. Europe, and how much relationships shape those choices. Great job, girls!
Ahh, thank you so much for this kind and thoughtful comment! I'm really glad parts of our conversation resonated with you—it means a lot. It’s such a rich and layered topic, isn’t it? The pull of new places, the way love and relationships weave into those choices… I feel like we're all constantly navigating that tension between adventure and belonging. So grateful you took the time to read and share your reflections 💛
Excellent post ladies! Emanuella, I really enjoyed learning more about you, and this is the second interview I've read this week with Katharina, cool to get more details on her story too. This piece comes at a time when I am also making tough decisions. And I think you girls make excellent points. Thank you for sharing your decision-making process, and the reasons why you choose to stay or go where you have been.
Thank you for leaving your thoughts on our stories Kaila! I love following your journey and seeing where it takes you and how you navigate the challenges that come with it. Wishing you all the best for the tough decisions ahead!
Thank you for such wonderful insights, Emanuela & Katherina. I can definitely relate to many aspects. I recently reflected on what would mean to go back home and be surrounded by people who haven’t lived abroad. I'm at a stage now where I need to carefully select my next move. These insights are precious. Thank you!
Maria, I am so happy that it resonated with you! It is interesting to be back home even though I know it's temporary. I will never be the same person again but that is okay - I am bringing new perspectives to my home country and am a better person because of that.
Sometimes, you just need time — to feel, to choose, to understand who you are now. You’re not the same person who once left. And life, it kept moving. Maybe that’s not a bad thing. Maybe it just means… it’s time for a new chapter!
Love your story! I am originally from hongkong and I myself also moved to Germany. I ended up living there for more than a decade before moving to the US. My husband is German and we made a long pros and cons list too to decide whether we should moved to the US. It was a hard decision. I totally agree with you that one of the toughest thing of moving abroad is the society expectation. People expect you to follow traditional path and see anything else you do as "abnormal". Besides, being away far from family can be hard for both sides. Looking forward to read more of your stories and perspective ❤️
Thank you for such a thoughtful and heartfelt comment. It's amazing how much we have in common—and that's one of the things I truly value about this Substack community. You're so right: society's expectations can be the hardest weight to carry. There are moments when they almost hold me back from pursuing what I really want. But then I imagine the life I’d have if I didn’t take the leap—and that version of life just isn’t one I’m willing to accept. That clarity always brings me back to my path and strengthens my resolve.
So happy to have you in the Inclusion Room. We’re walking this path abroad together — with all its twists, turns, and wonders. I love to share our stories and hear your challenges, experiences and what you have learned along the way!
This was so interesting! Thank you, Emanuela and Katharina, for sharing so openly about your experiences. There were so many things I could relate to! Where to start...
Emanuela – that thirst and excitement that comes with thinking about potentially moving to new countries. Katharina – everything you mentioned about being in an international couple, and the reflections on what draws someone to live in North America vs. Europe, and how much relationships shape those choices. Great job, girls!
I'm so glad our experiences resonated with you! It's truly valuable to feel understood — in both our desires and challenges.
Ahh, thank you so much for this kind and thoughtful comment! I'm really glad parts of our conversation resonated with you—it means a lot. It’s such a rich and layered topic, isn’t it? The pull of new places, the way love and relationships weave into those choices… I feel like we're all constantly navigating that tension between adventure and belonging. So grateful you took the time to read and share your reflections 💛
Excellent post ladies! Emanuella, I really enjoyed learning more about you, and this is the second interview I've read this week with Katharina, cool to get more details on her story too. This piece comes at a time when I am also making tough decisions. And I think you girls make excellent points. Thank you for sharing your decision-making process, and the reasons why you choose to stay or go where you have been.
Thank you for leaving your thoughts on our stories Kaila! I love following your journey and seeing where it takes you and how you navigate the challenges that come with it. Wishing you all the best for the tough decisions ahead!
Thank you, love!
Wishing you all the best Kaila for this new chapter!
Thank you, love!
Thank you for such wonderful insights, Emanuela & Katherina. I can definitely relate to many aspects. I recently reflected on what would mean to go back home and be surrounded by people who haven’t lived abroad. I'm at a stage now where I need to carefully select my next move. These insights are precious. Thank you!
Maria, I am so happy that it resonated with you! It is interesting to be back home even though I know it's temporary. I will never be the same person again but that is okay - I am bringing new perspectives to my home country and am a better person because of that.
Sometimes, you just need time — to feel, to choose, to understand who you are now. You’re not the same person who once left. And life, it kept moving. Maybe that’s not a bad thing. Maybe it just means… it’s time for a new chapter!