From food to friendships, moving abroad reshaped my beliefs, habits, and sense of home in ways I never imagined.I thought moving abroad was all about living the dream. 

Snapping pics with the Leaning Tower of Pisa, sipping wine in a Hemingwayesque Spanish café while Flamenco dancers twirled in the streets…

But oh, was I wrong.

The moment I stepped off the plane in Barcelona to start my first Camino de Santiago, I had no idea that what I was really stepping into was a completely new version of myself.

I didn’t just land in a new country, I landed in a whole new mindset.

A new way of living. A new me.

And honestly? I wasn’t prepared for that.

What if everything you believe about time, relationships, and happiness is just shaped by where you were born?

What If Success Isn’t What You Think?

Forget the grind. Success isn’t 80-hour weeks…it’s a two-hour lunch in France.

It’s slow mornings in Spain, where the toughest choice is coffee or breakfast before your day’s walk on the Camino

After years in Ukraine, Georgia, France, and Albania, I’ve learned one thing: We’ve got it all backwards!

Thinking of living abroad? Or just craving a new perspective? 

Here’s what changed everything for me.

Stop following the rules and start making your own! 

Start living the way the rest of the world does.

1. Time Doesn’t Work the Way You Think It Does

What I Used to Believe: Time is money. Time equals efficiency. If you’re not moving fast, you’re wasting it.

What I Learned: In places like Albania and Georgia, time is fluid, not a rigidly defined concept.

Life isn’t about squeezing every minute into a spreadsheet, it’s about savoring the present moment.

Real-Life Example: The first time I sat down for a meal in Georgia, I thought I’d stumbled into a parallel universe.

Three hours later, after endless courses and wine refills, I realized this was how it was done.

No one was in a rush.

Time, in this culture, wasn’t a pressure cooker… it was a slow simmer.

And that simmer changed my approach to everything.

My new mantra?

“Life isn’t a race.”

2. The Myth of “The Right Way” to Eat, Work, and Live

What I Used to Believe: I thought life had a rulebook. One “right” way to eat, work, and live.

What I Learned: Every culture thinks their way is best… and sometimes, they’re right.

Real-Life Example: When I first moved to France, I was shocked by how long lunches could take.

In France, lunch isn’t a 10-minute inhale at your desk. It can be an event. Two hours, courses, conversation, even wine (in the middle of a workday!).

Back home? Lunch was a race, scarf it down, check the clock, get back to work.

Efficiency over enjoyment.

Turns out, I wasn’t winning at life. I was just rushing through it.

Now? I’ll take the long lunch. Preferably with wine.

3. Friendships Abroad Are Both Easier and Harder

What I Used to Believe: Making friends was as simple as chatting with a stranger and hoping for the best.

What I Learned: Some cultures welcome you with open arms, while others take time to let you in, but those deeper connections are worth the wait.

Real-Life Example: In the U.S., I was used to casual conversations turning into “friendships” within days.

But in France? 

The pace was slower.

People didn’t open up immediately, but once they did, those friendships ran deep.

So, I stopped trying to rush things and learned to appreciate quality over quantity.

In fact, some of my best friendships took the longest to develop, go figure…

4. The Power of Speaking a Second (or Third) Language

What I Used to Believe: I could get by with English, everywhere. Even in France…lol.

What I Learned: Speaking the local language is everything.

It changes how you’re perceived and how you experience the world around you.

Real-Life Example: I thought I could get by in France with just basic French.

Turns out, knowing a few phrases gets you a polite nod, but fluency gets you respect.

Once I could hold a conversation, I noticed how much warmer the locals became and much easier things got.

Suddenly, I wasn’t just another tourist, I was almost a local…and after a few years, like family.

Now, I even have a French Godson…

5. The Concept of “Success” Means Something Different Everywhere

What I Used to Believe: Success was all about the hustle… the bigger paycheck, the nicer car, the fancier office. 

What I Learned: In many places, like Spain and France, success has less to do with material achievement and more to do with balance, relationships, and living well.

Real-Life Example: In Spain, I met a lawyer who worked three days a week and spent the rest of his time enjoying long meals with family and friends.

I thought he was crazy. 

But then, I saw the contentment in his life and he had time for what mattered.

After that, I started thinking: Maybe that’s the real success.

6. Learning to Be Comfortable With Discomfort

What I Used to Believe: If something’s difficult or uncomfortable, avoid it.

What I Learned: Growth only happens when you put yourself in uncomfortable situations, and you learn to thrive in them.

Real-Life Example: My first week in Ukraine was a mess.

I didn’t speak Russian or Ukrainian, didn’t know how to navigate the shopping, and couldn’t figure out the public transportation system.

But I pushed through, embracing the chaos.

Every day was uncomfortable, but with each new challenge, I felt myself growing.

Discomfort became my greatest teacher.

7. Minimalism Isn’t Just a Trend… It’s a Survival Skill

What I Used to Believe: More stuff = more security. 

What I Learned: Living with less means more freedom.

Real life example: I left for Poland to do my CELTA course, with just a backpack for a whole month.

What struck me, though, was how little I missed the stuff I thought I might need.

Packing light? It gave me a sense of freedom I hadn’t expected.

Turns out, minimalism isn’t just a trend. It’s a lifestyle.

8. Reverse Culture Shock Is Real… and It Hits Hard

What I Used to Believe: Coming home from travel meant slipping right back into my old life.

What I Learned: The more you experience abroad, the more you’ll realize that home doesn’t feel the same anymore.

Real-Life Example: After returning from my Camino and spending 3 months in France, I felt like I didn’t belong.

Suddenly, I found myself irritated by things that never bothered me before.

My “home” felt foreign.

But here’s the truth: I had changed, not the place.

And that’s okay.

9. Living Abroad Makes You Question Everything You Once Knew

What I Used to Believe: The way I grew up was the best, the default, the correct way.

What I Learned: Living abroad makes you question everything you think you know about right and wrong.

Real-Life Example: In France, people don’t see work as something that defines them, it’s just one part of a fulfilling life.

Back in the U.S., I was all about the grind.

But after seeing how balanced people were in France, I questioned: Why do we place so much value on work in the U.S.? 

Maybe there’s more to life than just the hustle.

10. You Never Really “Go Home” Again

What I Used to Believe: I could always go back to the way things were: my old life, my old routines, my old self. 

What I Learned: Once you’ve lived abroad, “home” becomes a feeling, not a place.

Real-Life Example: Every time I returned from a trip to Spain or Ukraine, I felt like a stranger in my own country.

Home became a mosaic of the places I’d lived, and I couldn’t quite fit back into the box I used to live in.

But that’s the beauty of it, isn’t it?

I was no longer bound by one place, I was at home wherever I went.

How Living Abroad Changes You (Even If You Never Move)

Living abroad doesn’t just change your address, it rewires how you see time, relationships, and success.

I’ve lived in places like Albania, Georgia, and Ukraine, and the biggest transformation wasn’t where I went… it was how I saw the world.

And here’s the twist: You don’t have to move abroad to apply these lessons. A new mindset can change everything.

What’s the biggest shift you’ve had while traveling? 

The post 10 Ways Living Abroad Changed Me Forever And Why You’ll Never See Life The Same Way Again! appeared first on Expats Planet.

Slow travel is marketed as the solution to mass tourism, but is it quietly creating the same problems it was meant to solve?I thought I’d found it… the perfect escape from mass tourism.

Back in 2000, I stumbled into Krakow, Poland, for my CELTA course, ready to teach learn how to English as a foreign language and soak up the local atmosphere.

It was cheap, authentic, and blissfully free of selfie-stick-wielding tourists. Hell, the word selfie didn’t even exist yet.

It was close to paradise.

Then came the Airbnbs.

A few years (and a smartphone revolution) later, I returned to find my once-quaint cafés had traded handwritten menus for overpriced “authentic experiences.”

The Locals?

Pushed out to the suburbs… or out of Krakow entirely.

The only people left were other travelers just like me, unfortunately…

Slow travel… the thing we all swore was the antidote to over-tourism was looking an awful lot like its twin in disguise.

Everyone says slow travel is sustainable, ethical, and the best way to “live like a local.”

But what if it’s just mass tourism… in slow motion?

What if the charming villages we flock to eventually become the next overpriced expat/tourist bubble?

Let’s break down the hidden dangers of slow travel… and how to stop it from ruining the places we love.

The Slow Travel Movement: An Escape from Mass Tourism?

Slow travel started as a rebellion. A way to escape the overhyped, overcrowded tourist traps where you spend more time dodging selfie sticks than actually experiencing a place.

It promised something better: authenticity, sustainability and a real connection.

No rushing, no checklists, just immersion.

And at first, it worked. I’ve lived in places like Albania and Georgia where slow travel felt like stepping into a time capsule.

The pace was slower, the culture richer, and the locals actually seemed happy to have us there.

No tour buses, no souvenir shops selling plastic Eiffel Towers… just good food, deep conversations, and the illusion that we had outsmarted mass tourism.

But then came the coffee shops with oat milk lattes, the “digital nomad hubs,” and the landlords who realized that renting to travelers for a week was more profitable than renting to a local for a month.

Slow travel, it turns out, wasn’t saving these places.

It was transforming them into the very thing we were trying to escape.

Everyone raves about the benefits of slow travel.

But no one talks about its dark side.

Until now….

5 Hidden Dangers of Slow Travel

1. The “Hidden Gem” Effect… Until It’s Not

The idea of finding an *undiscovered* destination is intoxicating.

Who doesn’t want to be the person who knew about a place before it became famous? 

The problem?

We all think this way. And the moment a place gets labeled a “hidden gem,” it’s game over.

Take Chiang Mai, Thailand. Once a quiet cultural escape, it’s now swarming with digital nomads, vegan cafés, and overpriced “mindfulness retreats” charging $500 to teach people how to breathe.

Or Tbilisi, Georgia… where the charm of the old city is starting to look suspiciously like Lisbon’s gentrified makeover.

How to avoid it:

• If a place is already being called the “next big thing,” you’re too late.
• Seek out destinations that actively promote sustainable tourism, not just cheap rent and fast Wi-Fi.

2. Slow Travel is Pricing Out Locals

It’s easy to believe that staying in a place for a month instead of a weekend is more ethical. And in some ways, it is.

But the reality?

The more slow travelers move in, the higher the rent climbs for the people who actually live there.

Lisbon, Barcelona, Kraków… ask a local, and they’ll tell you how Airbnbs, expat-friendly restaurants, and rising real estate prices have made it impossible for them to afford their own city.

Meanwhile, slow travelers congratulate themselves on “living like a local” while paying double what an actual local earns in a month.

How to travel ethically:

• Stay in locally-owned guesthouses instead of Airbnbs that displace residents.
• Spend your money in ways that actually support the local economy, not just businesses that cater to travelers.

3. The Airbnb Takeover… When Travelers Become the Problem

Airbnb was supposed to be about sharing… renting out an extra room, meeting cool travelers, helping homeowners earn some cash.

Instead, it’s become a real estate gold rush.

Investors buy entire buildings, kick out tenants, and turn entire neighborhoods into tourist zones.

I saw it firsthand in Krakow, Poland as I had mentioned above.

A local told me that just a few years ago, renting an apartment in the city center was affordable.

Now, landlords prioritize Airbnb guests over long-term tenants.

The result? 

More travelers, fewer locals, and a city that starts to feel less like a real place and more like a slow traveler Disneyland.

How to avoid being part of the problem:

• Choose hotels, guesthouses, or family-run stays instead of Airbnb mega-rentals.
• If you must use Airbnb, rent from an actual resident, not an investor running a short-term rental empire.

People seem to forget in the whole “Ban All Airbnbs” argument that it’s regular local, working people with an extra room in their homes or even an extra apartment they owned that started the movement. 

These Airbnb’s aren’t the problem. 

It’s actually, the big Real Estate Investment groups buying up dozens, if not hundreds of apartments and turning them into cookie cutter Airbnbs that are ruining it for everyone, especially the locals….

4. Slow Travel’s Environmental Toll Isn’t Always Smaller

Slow travel sounds like the eco-friendly alternative to hopping on 12 flights a year. But is it?

Not if you’re flying between destinations every few months or relying on imported goods instead of supporting local businesses.

I’ve met travelers who spend half their time in Thailand or Bali and the other half in Portugal, Argentina or Brazil, jetting between continents like it’s a short Uber ride.

Meanwhile, the carbon footprint of a single long-haul flight cancels out a year’s worth of eco-conscious lifestyle choices.

How to make slow travel truly sustainable:

• Travel overland when possible: buses, trains, and ferries over flights.
• Spend money in places that reinvest in the community, not in global chains that siphon profits away.

5. When “Living Like a Local” Becomes Cultural Appropriation

There’s a fine line between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation, and slow travelers don’t always get it right.

Learning a language, cooking with locals in a local Agriturismo (a.k.a. Agritourism), participating in traditions, that’s one thing.

Turning someone’s culture into a personal branding tool? That’s another.

I once met a fellow traveler in Mexico who had taken up weaving in a local artisan village.

Cool, right?

Until she started selling her handmade textiles online though Etsy… undercutting the very people who taught her the craft.

How to be a respectful traveler:

• Experience local culture without profiting from it.
• Buy from local artisans, not mass-produced knockoffs of local crafts.

Is Slow Travel Still the Answer? How to Do It Right

So does this mean slow travel is doomed? Not necessarily.

But if we want to do it without ruining the places we love, it’s time to travel smarter.

The Sustainable Slow Travel Checklist:

1. Travel in the off-season: fewer crowds, less strain on local resources.
2. Stay in places where tourism supports, not displaces, locals.
3. Eat and shop local. Big chain grocery stores and Western-style cafés aren’t helping the local economy.
4. Be aware of your impact. Your presence affects communities, whether you realize it or not.

Slow travel can be a force for good in the world. But only if we stop treating destinations as cheap playgrounds and start respecting them as real places with real people.

The Future of Slow Travel… Can We Save It?

Slow travel isn’t inherently bad. But like everything else, it has consequences.

And if we don’t acknowledge them, we’ll keep watching hidden gems disappear, one by one.

So here’s the question: Can slow travel stay true to its roots, or will it become just another version of mass tourism?

The answer depends on how we, as travelers, choose to explore.

Have you seen slow travel change a place for better or worse? 

The post 5 Hidden Dangers Of Slow Travel That No One Talks About And How To Avoid Them! appeared first on Expats Planet.

From over-apologizers to passport bros, these traveler archetypes expose the American experience in unexpected ways.I was sitting at a traditional restaurant in Tbilisi, sipping on a glass of Saperavi and digging into a Khachapuri Adjarian… both stronger than my resolve to ever return to the U.S., when it happened.

A guy in a ”We The People” oversized t-shirt demanded “ranch dressing” from a baffled Georgian waiter.

Nearby, a woman in an REI vest clutched her phrasebook, apologizing to the bartender for… nothing.

In the corner, a linen-clad expat lectured others on “real cultural immersion”… right before ordering a 8 PM cappuccino before dinner, a crime in most of Europe.

I’ve lived in Albania, Ukraine, France and Georgia long enough to classify Americans abroad like a National Geographic researcher. And here’s the truth: we all fit into one of these categories.

Travel reveals who we really are… how we tip, talk, order food, or just exist in a foreign space.

Some adapt, some cling to home comforts, and some think they’re here to “fix” the locals. (Psst: they don’t want your advice.)

So, are you The Over-Apologizer, The Passport Bro, or The Checklist Tourist?

Time to find out. 

And if you claim you’re none of these? You’re lying.

1. The Over-Apologizer

I once watched an American woman in a Parisian café apologize to a waiter five times before even placing her order.

By the time she got to “Un café s’il vous plaît,” the poor guy looked like he needed a cigarette break.

In a single breath, she managed to say, “Sorry, I don’t speak French. Sorry, can I order? Sorry, is it okay to sit here? Sorry, is this too much trouble?”

Here’s the thing: In the U.S., over-apologizing is sometimes, just part of the social script.

We do it to be polite, to soften requests, to avoid confrontation.

But outside of America, this doesn’t always translate well.

In places like Ukraine or Bulgaria, people are direct.

No one’s apologizing for existing or for ordering food.

In fact, too many sorrys can make you seem weak, insecure, or worse… annoying.

The Good and the Bad

Good: You’re polite, respectful, and conscious of other people’s feelings.
Bad: You’re apologizing for things no one expects you to, making interactions awkward and overly “polite” to the point of insincerity.

Travel Tip: Confidence is key… apologizing excessively can sometimes make interactions more complicated than necessary.

A simple “thank you” is often far more effective than a string of nervous sorries.

2. The Loud and Proud Patriot

You can hear them before you see them.

They’re the ones in stars-and-stripes tank tops, talking about how “Europe is nice, but America just does things better,” while attempting to order a Coors Light in a country that doesn’t sell it.

Look, I get it. Americans are raised on a steady diet of patriotism. The flag is everywhere, from football games to underwear.

But when you take that energy abroad… especially in a place like France or Spain, where nationalism has a different history, you might come across as… let’s say, a little over-the-top.

The Good and the Bad

Good: You love your country and aren’t afraid to show it.
Bad: Your enthusiasm might come off as tone-deaf in foreign settings, especially when you start ranking countries like it’s the Travel Olympics.

Expat Tip: Showing appreciation for other cultures makes interactions richer… balance pride with curiosity.

Maybe try a local beer instead of demanding a Bud in a Belgian bar.

 3. The Wannabe Local

This is the guy who’s spent two weeks in Tbilisi and is suddenly speaking with a thick Georgian accent, lecturing fellow Americans on how they’re “not really experiencing the culture.”

Meanwhile, he butchers madloba (“thank you”) every time he orders a khachapuri.

I once met a guy in Spain who refused to speak English, not because he was fluent in Spanish, but because he wanted to prove he was different from other tourists.

The result?

He confidently ordered a ropa vieja, expecting a steaming bowl of the slow-cooked Cuban stew he grew up loving in Miami, only to get confused stares because he’d just asked for “old clothes.”

The Good and the Bad

Good: You genuinely care about cultural immersion.
Bad: You try so hard to blend in that it becomes performative… and painfully obvious.

Expat Tip: It’s okay to be a visitor. Locals appreciate effort, but they also see through forced authenticity.

True cultural appreciation comes from learning, not pretending.

4. The Checklist Tourist

“Okay, we have exactly 36 hours in Paris. We’ll do the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, then catch the overnight train to Amsterdam.”

Ready? Let’s GO!

If you’ve ever seen an American sprinting through the Louvre Museum, barely glancing at Leonardo’s masterpiece before rushing to the next checkpoint, you’ve met The Checklist Tourist.

They view travel like a military operation… tight schedules, no deviations.

If they don’t hit at least five countries in a week, did the trip even happen?

The Good and the Bad

Good: They get to see a lot in a short amount of time.
Bad: They often miss the deeper experience of a place, treating destinations like a shopping list instead of a story.

Expat Tip: Sometimes the best experiences come from slowing down.

Instead of power-walking through a city, find a café, sit outside, and just watch life happen.

5. The Party Seeker

They land in Spain, skip all the historical sites, and head straight for the bars.

They’ll wake up at 2 PM, hit a beach club, and by 3 AM, they’re leading a drunken group singalong of “Sweet Caroline” in a club where no one else speaks English.

This traveler has zero idea where they actually are, but they definitely know where the cheapest shots are.

The Good and the Bad

Good: They know how to have fun and embrace spontaneity.
Bad: They often experience a new country from inside a club, missing everything that makes the place unique.

Expat Tip: A great night out is fun, but if the only thing you remember about Barcelona are tequila shots of Mezcal from Mexico, you did it wrong.

6. The Fearful First-Timer

They clutch their passport like it’s a life raft, refuse to eat anything they can’t pronounce, and stick to the most American-looking restaurants they can find (hello, McDonald’s).

I once met a guy who was so terrified of scams in Eastern Europe that he refused to take taxis, buses, or even ask for directions. 

Instead, he walked six miles in the heat of summer just to avoid being “ripped off.”

The Good and the Bad

Good: They’re cautious and prepared.
Bad: Fear prevents them from embracing new experiences.

Expat Tip: Step out of your comfort zone gradually… small risks often lead to the best adventures.

Try a local dish.

Take the metro.

Not everyone is trying to scam you.

7. The Passport Bro / Wife Hunter

This one is… controversial.

They show up in places like Ukraine, Thailand, or Colombia not for the culture, not for the food, but for one thing: women.

They’ll tell you, “American women are too difficult,” before launching into a TED Talk on why foreign women are ‘better.’

Here’s the deal: They’re not actually interested in cultural exchange.

I once met a guy in Odesa who “accidentally” moved there for two years after falling for a woman he met on vacation in Greece.

He was convinced she was the one.

Meanwhile, she barely remembered his name.

The Good and the Bad

Good: Can lead to genuine cross-cultural relationships.
Bad: Often stems from unhealthy idealization and a transactional mindset toward relationships.

Expat Tip: If you’re looking for love abroad, treat people as individuals, not as representatives of a culture. Real relationships require mutual respect and understanding.

What This Says About Us

Americans abroad are a walking case study in cultural habits.

Some of us try too hard to blend in, some refuse to adapt at all, and some turn travel into a scavenger hunt with beer chugging as the grand prize.

But if there’s one last “surprising” lesson to be learned from all of this, it’s this:

None of these stereotypes are inherently bad.

1. The over-apologizer? Kind.
2. The loud patriot? Enthusiastic. 
3. The checklist tourist? Efficient. 

The point isn’t to shame these travelers… it’s to recognize ourselves in them, and maybe learn how to travel a little better.

So, be honest: Which type are you?

Or have you met someone who fits one of these categories perfectly?

Drop your best (or worst) travel encounter in the comments.

Let’s compare notes.

The post The 7 Types of Americans You’ll Meet Abroad… And What They Reveal About Us! appeared first on Expats Planet.

From Tipping and Smiling to Small Talk, These American Customs Leave Visitors Scratching Their Heads: Here’s What You Need to Know!

The One Question That Nearly Got Me Exiled from a German Supermarket

I was in line at a supermarket in Frankfurt when I made a critical error.

The cashier froze. The man behind me audibly sighed. The woman Tetris-stacking her groceries shot me a look of pure disgust.

What had I done? 

• Cut in line?
• Started a riot? 
• Insulted their beer?

Worse!

I had asked the cashier, “How are you?”

Yankee traveler mistake!

In Germany, supermarkets are a no-nonsense battlefield, no small talk, no delays, and definitely no fumbling for change.

Your groceries come flying at you at warp speed, and if you’re not packing like an Olympic athlete, you’re already too slow.

By the time I stumbled out, sweating and clutching a bottle of Apfelschorle with my teeth, I knew two things:

1. Never ask a German cashier how they are.
2. If you’re not packing groceries at lightning speed, you’re a public menace.

If you’ve ever unknowingly violated a foreign country’s unspoken rule abroad, congratulations!

Now you know what it’s like for visitors facing their own Great American Culture Shock, here at home.

Below are 9 American customs that confuse the hell out of visitors… and exactly how to survive them.

1. Tipping Is (Basically) Mandatory

Why It’s Confusing:

When I first moved to France, I thought I had cracked the dining-out system: pay the bill, possibly round up if you liked the server, leave, no math required.

Imagine my horror when I visited the U.S. after years abroad, only to be handed a receipt with three different tip percentages suggested.

It felt less like paying for a meal and more like a pop quiz I hadn’t studied for.

How to Handle It:

• Always check if the tip or gratuity is included before paying, some restaurants add it automatically, especially in “touristy areas” (New York City, Miami, San Francisco, etc.).
• Carry small bills for tipping in restaurants, taxis, and hotels. Nobody wants to be the person stiffing a hardworking server because they only have a hundred-dollar bill (and good luck trying to pay with a $100 bill).

2. “How Are You?” Doesn’t Mean What You Think

Why It’s Confusing:

Back when I lived in Georgia (the country, not the state), I greeted my local shopkeeper with an American-style “How are you?”

He looked at me like I had just proposed marriage, then launched into a ten-minute breakdown of his life, including the price of eggs, his neighbor’s divorce, and his knee pain.

That’s when I realized outside of the U.S., people take this question seriously.

How to Handle It:

• If an American asks, “How are you?” just say “Good, thanks! How about you?” and move on.
• If someone walks past without stopping after asking, congratulations, you’ve just been hit with the American version of ‘Hello.’

 3. Smiling at Strangers Is Normal

Why It’s Confusing:

In Ukraine, my first winter there, I walked around grinning like the friendly American I was.

Nobody smiled back.

Instead, I got suspicious side-eyes, as if I was planning something deeply sinister.

I later learned that in many countries, a random smile can make you look either simple-minded or like you’re about to scam someone.

How to Handle It:

• If someone smiles at you in the U.S., it’s just politeness. A nod or a slight smile back is perfectly acceptable.
• It doesn’t necessarily mean they want to start a conversation. Unless you’re in the Midwest, in which case, good luck escaping.

4. Prices Don’t Include Tax

Why It’s Confusing:

One of my first memories of total confusion in the U.S. was buying a sandwich, pulling out exact change like the prepared adult I thought I was and then the cashier told me I was short.

Because unlike most of the world, the price tag in America is a lie.

How to Handle It:

• Always expect your total to be higher than what’s listed.
• Sales tax varies by state, so if you’re traveling, mentally add 5–10% to everything.

5. Customer Service Is Almost Too Friendly

Why It’s Confusing:

A friend of mine, a fellow teacher from Poland, once walked into a U.S. store and nearly sprinted out when an employee enthusiastically greeted her at the door and asked if she needed help.

In many countries, retail workers leave you alone unless you specifically seek them out.

In the U.S.?

They are there, they are ready, and they are watching.

How to Handle It:

• Just accept it. It’s part of the service culture, especially since many employees rely on commissions or tips.
• A simple “I’m just looking, thanks”, will keep you from being shadowed down the aisles.

6. Personal Space Is a Big Deal

Why It’s Confusing:

I once made the mistake of standing too close to someone in a checkout line in Bangkok.

They didn’t budge.

They didn’t even notice.

Try that in America, and you’ll be met with a slow, horrified side-glance. Americans love our personal space.

How to Handle It:

• Keep about an arm’s length away from others in lines or conversations.
• If someone steps back, don’t take it personally. They just need room to breathe.

7. Credit Cards Are King

Why It’s Confusing:

In North Macedonia, cash is still king.

In the U.S., it’s the opposite, paying with cash is about as rare as spotting a unicorn.

Try handing a $100 bill to a cashier, and watch them hold it up to the light like they’re in a crime lab.

How to Handle It:

• Have a credit or debit card ready, some places, especially in big cities, don’t accept cash at all.
• If using cash, expect to receive coins, because unlike many places in Europe, there’s no rounding up.

8. Free Refills Are the Norm

Why It’s Confusing:

In Spain, I ordered a soda at a café, finished it, and waited.

And waited. Because in most of the world, when you pay for a drink, you get exactly one.

In the U.S., the waiter will automatically refill your glass until you beg them to stop (although with shrinkflation, greedflation, or whatever you want to call this latest economic trend, it’s becoming less and less common).

How to Handle It:

• If you don’t want refills, just say so. Otherwise, be prepared for an endless supply of soda (and calories, and added centimeters to your waistline… lol).
• Don’t expect this at fancy restaurants, it’s mostly a casual dining thing.

9. Public Restrooms Are Free… But Often Lacking Privacy

Why It’s Confusing:

In France, I once had to pay 50 cents just to use a public restroom.

In the U.S., bathrooms are free (sometimes, only for paying customers), but at what cost? 

If you’ve ever stepped into a stall and noticed the glaring gaps between the door and frame, congratulations… you’ve just unlocked one of America’s worst design flaws.

How to Handle It:

• If privacy is a concern, use restrooms in hotels or department stores, they tend to be better maintained.
• Accept that someone will probably make awkward eye contact with you through the stall gap. It’s just part of the experience (a creepy one at that).

Understanding American Culture Without the Confusion

If you’re traveling to the U.S. for the first time, prepare yourself. These unwritten rules aren’t in the guidebooks, but they will absolutely shape your experience.

You’ll be expected to tip, you’ll have a stranger smile at you for no reason, and your drink will never be empty for more than ten seconds.

But here’s the thing, that’s what makes travel fun.

Every culture has its quirks, and the more you embrace them, the smoother your experience will be.

Who knows? 

You might even start to like free refills and excessive small talk.

So tell me, what’s the most confusing American habit you’ve encountered?

The post 9 Unwritten Rules In The U.S. That Completely Confuse Foreigners And How To Navigate Them! appeared first on Expats Planet.

How Common U.S. Expressions Baffle Non-Americans And What You Should Say Instead!

I was sipping my overpriced coffee in my regular Tbilisi café when my server asked why I was “so late.”

I told her, “I slept in,” and she stared at me like I had just confessed to a crime.

“Where?” she asked, clearly thinking I’d spent the night under the café table.

Turns out, simple American phrases like “I slept in” don’t translate the same way abroad.

To her, I was admitting I’d slept inside something. Or worse, I had hidden away somewhere in their café overnight…

This wasn’t the first time my Americanisms caused confusion.

I once told a Ukrainian friend that a meal “cost me an arm and a leg,” and I swear, he looked ready to call an ambulance, convinced I’d been part of some shady organ harvesting deal.

We Americans toss around phrases that make perfect sense to us, but to everyone else? 

Straight-up nonsense… or worse, terrifying!

Ever had a conversation abroad where your friend gave you that “What did you just say?” look?

Yeah, you probably used one of these phrases.

As an English teacher and a Cambridge/IELTS examiner in Ukraine for 20 years, explaining these “Americanisms” was like playing whack-a-mole… it never ended.

Let’s get into those 7 phrases that’ll confuse the world, and what you should say instead, so someone doesn’t think you want them to literally, “break their leg”.

1. ‘Break a Leg’ (As a Good Luck Wish?)

Why It’s Confusing:

I once told a Ukrainian student of mine before her big work presentation to “break a leg.”

She stared at me in absolute horror, like I had just cast some sort of medieval curse on her.

She hesitated and then, very seriously, asked, “Why would you wish me pain?”

In the U.S., this phrase is a standard way to wish someone good luck, but in most other places, wishing for bodily injury before an important event makes you sound like a villain from a bad action movie.

Actually, you’re not supposed to say “good luck” since it’s considered a jinx, thus the expression “Break a Leg”.

Other cultures tend to wish success in a way that doesn’t involve potential hospitalization.

What to Say Instead:

• Instead of “Break a leg,” try “Good luck”* or “Wishing you success.”
• If you’re in France, go with “Merde” which, yes, means “poop,” but for some reason, it’s their version of a lucky send-off.

“Wishing someone ‘Shit’ vs. ‘Break a Leg’… At this point, I’m not sure if I’m offering a trip to the toilet or to the emergency room.”

2. ‘It’s Raining Cats and Dogs’

Why It’s Confusing:

During an English lesson in Ukraine, I once mentioned that it was “raining cats and dogs.”

In fact, it was in the text book I was teaching out of.

My Ukrainian student immediately stopped mid-step and looked up, as if she was genuinely expecting a small army of airborne golden retrievers to descend upon us.

This phrase, while making perfect sense to Americans, is completely baffling to most of the world.

Other languages have their own creative ways of describing heavy rain, like in Thailand, where they say “It’s raining old women” (which, honestly, raises just as many questions).

What to Say Instead:

• Stick to “It’s pouring” or “It’s coming down hard.”
• If you’re in Spain, go with “Está lloviendo a cántaros” (It’s raining buckets), which at least makes some logical sense, doesn’t it?

3. ‘Pulling Your Leg’

Why It’s Confusing:

While in Georgia, I told my Airbnb host that I thought the taxi driver was “pulling my leg” because the price for the ride from the airport he wanted to charge me sounded like extortion.

He immediately looked down at my actual leg, visibly concerned thinking that I had a physical altercation over the taxi fare rip off, looked back up at me and saying, “He did this to you?”

Turns out, in many places, this phrase doesn’t exist. Other languages have their own ways of saying they’re joking, but “physically grabbing someone’s leg as a prank?” That’s just weird.

What to Say Instead:

• Try “Just kidding” or “I’m messing with you.” Or in my case, “I thought he was joking”
• If you’re in Albania, saying “Të bëj shaka” will make way more sense than implying someone is literally yanking on your limbs.

4. ‘Piece of Cake’ (Meaning ‘Easy’?)

Why It’s Confusing:

While helping my friend’s son in France with some English homework, I told him that the assignment we were working on was a “piece of cake.”

He looked up at me and then asked, “Why… cake?”

In English, we associate cake with something easy and effortless. But in most other places, cake has no connection to simplicity.

If anything, “baking a cake” is a detailed, delicate process, so this phrase just makes no sense abroad.

What to Say Instead:

• Use “That was easy” or “No problem at all.”
• In Poland, they say *“Bułka z masłem”* (a roll with butter), which at least sounds like something effortless to prepare.

5. ‘Spill the Beans’

Why It’s Confusing:

I once told a French friend to “spill the beans” about a secret he was keeping. He looked at me as if I had asked him to commit a crime.

To non-English speakers, this phrase makes absolutely no sense. Why beans? Why are they spilling? Who cares if they do?

No one knows where this phrase even came from, which makes it even harder to explain.

What to Say Instead:

• Try “Tell me the secret” or “Give me the details.”
• If you’re in Mexico, say “Soltar la sopa” (spill the soup), which, to be fair, also doesn’t make much sense, but at least it’s regionally confusing.

6. ‘Costs an Arm and a Leg’

Why It’s Confusing:

I was once in Budapest complaining about yet another ridiculously overpriced taxi ride experience. I said, “That cost me an arm and a leg.”

The driver, who overheard me, turned pale and looked at me like I had just confessed to being some sort of victim of organized crime.

Most cultures simply say something is “very expensive.”

But in English?

We make it sound like we had to make a major bodily sacrifice just to afford lunch.

What to Say Instead:

• Stick to “That’s really pricey” or “That costs a fortune.”
• In Spain, they say “Cuesta un ojo de la cara” (It costs an eye from your face), which is just as horrifying, but at least it’s culturally appropriate.

7. ’Let’s Table This’ (Wait… You Want Me to Put It on a Table?)

Why It’s Confusing:
During a business English class in Kyiv, I told my students to “table the discussion” as a way to postpone it, so they could come back to it later, better prepared.

Simple enough, right?

Well, not exactly. My British coworker, who was role-playing with me in this mock meeting, nodded along, thinking we were about to dive into the topic right then and there.

Meanwhile, my Ukrainian students were all on the same page, but not in the same time zone.

They assumed “tabling” meant the discussion would never be touched again.

Here’s the thing: In American English, “tabling” means you put it off for later.

But in British English, it’s the exact opposite, you bring it up immediately.

Don’t even get me started on all the differences between Brit’isms and Yank’isms

So, yeah. No wonder international meetings get confusing when we can’t even agree on what “tabling” something actually means!

What to Say Instead:

If speaking with non-Americans, clarify by saying “Let’s discuss this later.”

Or better yet, just skip the phrase entirely unless you enjoy being misunderstood.

How to Avoid Getting Lost in Translation

American English is packed with quirky expressions that sound perfectly fine… until you say them outside the U.S. and realize you’ve just lost everyone.

Here’s the thing: Most people abroad will either laugh, ask what on earth you mean, or just chalk it up to Americans being, well, eccentric.

And, let’s face it, they’re not wrong.

A little awareness can go a long way in avoiding those awkward moments.

Trust me, I’ve had plenty.

So next time you’re chatting with a non-American, think twice before tossing out that weird phrase.

It could save you from some seriously confused (or concerned) stares.

Now, your turn! What’s the funniest language mix-up you’ve had abroad?

I promise, I won’t pull your leg. lol…

The post 7 Everyday American Phrases That Confuse the Rest Of The World And What They Really Mean! appeared first on Expats Planet.

Americans Fly Across the Globe for Foreign-Trained Doctors, but Won’t Hire Them at Home. Here’s the Shocking Truth Behind This Hypocrisy and What It Means for You!

A First-Hand Look at America’s Hypocrisy in Healthcare

Before I packed my bags and left for life abroad in the late ’90s, I had the privilege of working as a physician recruiter.

Let’s just say it was the kind of job that could make you question your life choices…

For a couple of years, I got a front-row seat to the subtle (and not-so-subtle) obstacles foreign-trained doctors face in the U.S. healthcare system.

Trust me, it wasn’t pretty.

I’d seen qualified, highly trained physicians… many of whom successfully completed US residencies and hold American board certifications, rejected by hospitals, medical groups, and insurance companies.

Why? 

Not because of their skills or credentials, but because of one glaring, unspoken reality:

Patients’ biases and fears toward doctors from different cultures, backgrounds, and those who speak with an accent.

During my time as a physician recruiter, I worked with hospitals struggling with doctor shortages.

These hospitals and medical groups paid tens of thousands of dollars in recruiting fees and retainers because they said they “needed specialists”.

Yet, they hesitated to hire foreign-born doctors, even those trained in elite U.S. institutions, and hospitals.

All of whom had passed their US Board certifications in their related specialties.

For all intents and purposes, they were just as qualified and sometimes even more qualified and experienced than their American born colleagues.

Some hospital administrators were so bold as to admit it outright:

“NO FMGs! “

“Patients don’t want to see someone they don’t feel comfortable with.”

and that’s saying it nicely….

(“FMG” = Foreign Medical Graduate, industry jargon)

Translation? An unspoken cultural bias, if not outright modern-day racism, was dictating who gets to practice medicine in America.

Yet, here’s the paradox: Many of these same Americans will fly thousands of miles abroad to be treated by foreign doctors when it suits them.

I’ve lived abroad for over 2 decades now, received outstanding healthcare from foreign-trained physicians, and spoken to countless American expats who seek life-saving, affordable medical care outside the U.S.

The growth of medical tourism is undeniable, yet it exposes one of the deep seeded hypocrisies of a healthcare system that both relies on foreign doctors while actively discriminating against them.

Back in the ’90s, I could already sense where things were headed. The early seeds of Medical Tourism starting to sprout.

And I’ve had a front-row seat to watch the whole thing sadly unfold.

Honestly, it’s been like witnessing a train wreck… except in slow motion. 

You can see it coming, but you’re just powerless to stop it.

Now, let’s break down 6 ways medical tourism exposes America’s double standard on foreign-trained physicians, and why this affects every American.

1. America Relies on Foreign Doctors… Just Not at Home

At least 25% of doctors practicing in the U.S. are foreign-trained, with even higher percentages in rural and under-served areas.

Yet, despite their qualifications, many private hospitals and medical groups refuse to hire them due to fear that American patients won’t accept them.

Why It Matters: Hospitals, insurance companies, and medical groups actively block foreign-trained doctors from getting hired, not due to skill, but due to patient biases against non-native accents and cultural differences.

Real Impact: The U.S. faces a projected 124,000 doctor shortage by 2034, yet thousands of foreign-trained doctors are turned away despite meeting or exceeding U.S. medical standards.

2. Medical Tourism is Booming Because the U.S. Healthcare System is Failing

In my decades living abroad, I’ve met countless American expats who routinely seek healthcare outside the U.S.

Not because they want to, but because they have no other choice.

• An average heart bypass in the U.S. costs $123,000, while in India, it’s $7,900.
• The average wait time for a specialist in the U.S. is over 3 months, even with “private insurance”, while medical tourists get treated in days.

Why It Matters: Americans trust foreign-trained doctors abroad when it means getting cheaper, faster care.

Yet, they hesitate to see those same doctors in their hometown hospitals.

Real Impact: If the U.S. eliminated its bias against foreign-trained doctors, many Americans wouldn’t need to fly overseas for healthcare.

3. Outdated Licensing Rules Punish Foreign-Trained Doctors

I’d worked with doctors from top medical schools all over the world, including Canada, the UK, and Australia, who were forced to repeat years of training just to qualify for a U.S. medical board certification.

• A doctor with 15 years of experience in the Philippines or India may have to do an entire U.S. residency.
• Some state medical boards have refused to recognize foreign credentials, even if they have met U.S. standards (Although this has been changing in recent years).

Yet, even after successfully completing their U.S. residencies and getting their U.S. board certifications, many were forced to return to their home countries.

Why It Matters: If these doctors are qualified enough to treat Americans abroad, why aren’t they good enough to practice in the U.S.?

Real Impact: Many highly trained doctors give up on practicing in the U.S. altogether, worsening the physician shortage. 

Ironically, many of these highly trained physicians have not only returned to their home countries, armed with U.S. training, board certifications, and polished English skills, but now work in private clinics and hospitals renowned for medical tourism. 

These are the very facilities that Americans now flock to for affordable, quality healthcare.

For instance, procedures like heart bypass surgery, which can cost up to $210,000 in the U.S., are available for around $12,000 in Thailand.

Similarly, hip replacements priced at $75,000 domestically can be obtained for $9,000 in India.

It’s a curious twist isn’t it? 

American patients traveling abroad to receive care from doctors who once aspired to practice in the U.S.

Which leads me to the next point.

4. The U.S. Actively Pushes Away the Doctors It Trains

One of the most frustrating things I saw as a physician recruiter was how the U.S. encourages medical brain drain, but then complains about doctor shortages.

• The J-1 visa program forces foreign-trained doctors to leave unless they secure a rare waiver.
• Many foreign doctors trained in the U.S. now practice in Canada, the UK, Asia or the Middle East instead.

Why It Matters: The U.S. spends billions training foreign doctors… only to send them away while Americans struggle to find care.

Real Impact: This policy artificially worsens the doctor shortage, making healthcare harder to access and more expensive.

5. The Same U.S. Hospitals That Reject Foreign Doctors Send Patients to Them Abroad

I had spoken to hospital administrators who had secretly referred patients to foreign-trained doctors overseas for cost savings, while refusing to hire them in the U.S.

Major insurance companies and employers contract with international hospitals to save money.

For instance, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina has partnered with health providers in Thailand, Turkey, Singapore, and Costa Rica to create low-premium, high-deductible insurance plans aimed at cost-conscious workers.

Companies like HSM, a manufacturing firm, have sent employees overseas for medical procedures, such as knee replacements, resulting in significant cost savings. HSM reported saving close to $11 million over a few years by adopting this approach.

However, it’s important to note that while some insurers and employers have embraced this strategy, others remain cautious, weighing the potential benefits against concerns over quality of care and legal liabilities.

(Sources provided below)

Yet, these same hospitals reject foreign-trained doctors from working locally.

Why It Matters: If these doctors are “good enough” to treat Americans abroad, why aren’t they good enough to work in America?

Real Impact: This two-tier system forces middle-class Americans to travel while the wealthy pay inflated U.S. prices.

6. America’s Healthcare Crisis is a Policy Choice… Not a Necessity

The U.S. is desperate for more doctors, yet thousands of qualified, U.S.-trained foreign doctors are locked out of practicing every year.

What Needs to Change:

• Expand residency slots for foreign-trained doctors.
• Recognize top-tier foreign medical credentials.
• Reform visa and licensing laws to retain more foreign-trained doctors.

Will This Change, or Will America Keep Losing Its Best Doctors?

Medical tourism isn’t just about cheaper healthcare… it’s proof of America’s double standard on foreign-trained physicians.

Americans trust them abroad, but not at home… why?

Because the system puts patient biases above patient care.

What Do You Think?

• Would you trust a foreign-trained doctor?
• Have you or someone you know traveled abroad for medical care? 

Here are some of the sources used in this article in the links below: 

• Employer-Sponsored Medical Tourism
• US companies saving money by sending employees overseas for healthcare
• Insurers Changing the Game in Medical Tourism

The post 6 Shocking Ways Medical Tourism Exposes America’s Hypocrisy Toward Foreign-Trained Doctors appeared first on Expats Planet.

Moving Abroad: The Fantasy vs. The Reality

When I moved to Ukraine, I had the typical expat fantasies: 

• Learning the language effortlessly over coffee.
• Finding an apartment with all the modern conveniences of home.
• Avoiding landlord nightmares

Reality hit fast. 

• My Soviet-era apartment had water pressure that alternated between fire hose and trickle with a carpet on the wall and no washing machine.
• My “immersion” method of learning Russian meant smiling, nodding, and hoping no one asked me a question.
• Bureaucracy humbled me the moment I tried explaining, in broken Russian, why my visa paperwork was missing a mystery stamp no one mentioned.

Most people move abroad clinging to myths.

• Instagram expats sipping wine overlooking sunsets.
• TikTok influencers raving about cheap living.
• Movies painting relocation as a seamless fresh start Romcom.

The truth?

Moving abroad isn’t an extended vacation or a quick fix for your problems.

It’s an adventure, yes, but also a crash course in bureaucracy, loneliness, and second-guessing your life choices in a government office with no air conditioning.

If you’ve ever dreamed of making the leap, or just want proof that your friend in Thailand posting about his “new life” is exaggerating, let’s break down the biggest myths about moving abroad.

1. Moving Abroad is a Permanent Vacation

What People Think: You’ll spend your days sipping wine at a street café in Paris, strolling along Mediterranean coastlines, or enjoying tapas in Barcelona… all without a care in the world.

Reality Check: You know what’s less Instagrammable? 

Standing in line at a Ukrainian post office for two hours, sweating through your shirt, only to find out you need another obscure document before you can even pick up the package your mom sent you from the U.S. (that by the way, you never get, because it mysteriously never arrived. They probably made a pretty penny on it at the outdoor bazaar!)

Moving abroad isn’t a vacation… it’s still life, just in a different location.

You’ll still deal with bills, bureaucracy, and the occasional stomach-churning visa renewal process.

There’s also a good chance that the ”cheap cost of living” you were promised vanishes once you start dealing with unexpected expat costs.

Costs like: 

• International health insurance.
• Emergency trips home.
• The ridiculous price of Ben & Jerry’s in Europe.

Sure, the adventure is real. 

But so are the days where you’re stuck dealing with a broken water heater. Trying to explain the issue in broken Russian, while your downstairs neighbor has their hand out, waiting for you to pay for the water damage done to their ceiling.

2. Learning the Language is Easy Once You Live There

What People Think: “I’ll just immerse myself! I’ll pick up Spanish/French/Russian in no time!”

Reality Check: So, you move to Spain, walk into a café, proudly order your morning café con leche… and the barista immediately rattles off a question at lightning speed.

Your brain short-circuits. You smile awkwardly, nod, and pray you didn’t just agree to adopt their grandmother.

Living in a country doesn’t mean fluency happens magically. Your brain doesn’t just download a language like an iOS update. 

Instead, it’s weeks of fumbling through conversations, making embarrassing mistakes (yes, embarazada in Spanish does not mean embarrassed… it means pregnant), and realizing that locals will often switch to English once they sense your struggle.

*True story btw, told to me by a former colleague over one too many pints….* 

What Actually Works:

• Structured learning (apps like Italki, Pimsleur, or Duolingo work, but real progress happens with a tutor).
• Actively forcing yourself into uncomfortable language situations (ordering food, asking for directions, refusing to default to English).
• Making peace with sounding like a toddler for a while. Even when talking to a toddler…

3. The Cost of Living is Always Cheaper

What People Think: “I’m going to save so much money! I’ll live like a king!”

Reality Check: Ever paid $12 for a pint of Ben & Jerry’s in Bulgaria?

I have.

And I bought it. Because sometimes, comfort food is worth the highway robbery.

Yes, some places are cheaper. Rent in Albania was a fraction of what I’d pay in the U.S., but hidden costs sneak up fast.

Expats often underestimate expenses like:

• Expat Taxes (Yes, America still wants a cut of your earnings.)
• Health Insurance (Good luck navigating private vs. public systems in a foreign language.)
• Emergency Trips Home (Flights back to the U.S. aren’t cheap, and life happens.)

The dream of ”cheap living abroad” fades fast when you realize that being broke in paradise still means you’re broke.

4. Making Local Friends is Easy

What People Think: Locals will welcome you into their social circles instantly. You’ll be getting Sunday dinner invites in no time!

Reality Check: In many places, friendship isn’t instant… it’s earned.

Unlike the U.S., where a friendly chat can lead to a spontaneous dinner invite, cultures in Europe (especially Eastern Europe) can be more reserved. 

Friendship is deep, but not instant.

In Ukraine, my attempts at casual chit-chat in a grocery store were met with confused stares that said, “Why is this man talking to me?”

In France, I found that while locals are friendly, breaking into real social circles takes time.

What Works:

• Join expat groups (but avoid the ones full of people who just complain about the locals… and ones who are overly positive as well, since both are unrealistic).
• Make language exchanges a two-way street (You help with English, they help with the local language… mutual benefit).
• Consistency is key. Showing up regularly to the same café, gym, or local event builds familiarity.

5. You Can Just “Figure It Out” When You Get There

What People Think: “I’ll book a one-way ticket and see what happens!”

Reality Check: The “figure it out” approach only works if you enjoy stress-induced ulcers.

Finding an apartment, opening a bank account, and dealing with immigration isn’t something you want to navigate without preparation.

Bureaucracy will test your soul.

• In France, expect paperwork about your paperwork.
• In Ukraine, be prepared to spend a week chasing a single stamp.
• In Spain, offices may or may not be open when they say they are.

What You Should Research Before Moving:

• Visa and residency requirements before arriving.
• The job market (or how your remote work situation affects taxes).
• Banking (some places won’t even let you open an account without an address, if at all, especially if you’re American).

6. It’s Just Like Visiting as a Tourist

What People Think: “I loved visiting Paris for two weeks! Living there will be just like that… only longer.”

Reality Check: No. Living somewhere is not the same as vacationing.

When you visit, it’s all highlights… great food, fun experiences, no obligations.

When you live there, you deal with landlords, insurance, and the crushing realization that getting anything done takes 10x longer than back home.

When I first arrived in Ukraine, I was spinning… cheap beer, imposing Soviet architecture, beautiful women.

Fast forward to month three?

I was battling banking issues, a malfunctioning radiator in winter, and my brain melting while getting legal documents translated in triplicate.

Short trips show you the fantasy. Living somewhere shows you everything else.

7. Working Abroad is Simple

What People Think: “I’ll just get a job when I land!”

Reality Check: Visas say nope.

Local hiring laws say nope.

Your tax situation says double nope.

Many countries require a work visa before hiring you.

Even freelancing remotely isn’t always legal… some nations don’t like digital nomads working on tourist visas.

How to Work Legally as an Expat:

• Check visa options before you arrive.
• Consider remote work carefully (some countries are cracking down on “under-the-table” remote work).
• Network like crazy. Many expat jobs come from who you know, not what’s listed online.

8. Moving Abroad Solves All Your Problems

What People Think: A fresh start will fix everything… bad relationships, career dissatisfaction, unhappiness.

Reality Check: Moving doesn’t erase problems. It just relocates them and creates new ones.

I’ve met expats who thought moving abroad would magically fix their life, only to realize that not only their issues followed them, but they now had a whole host of new issues they weren’t prepared for or emotionally equipped to handle. 

If you were unhappy before, living in Spain won’t change that… unless you address what made you unhappy in the first place.

Moving abroad should be about growth, not escape.

Moving Abroad: The Reality Check

Moving abroad isn’t a fairytale… but it is an adventure.

If you go in prepared, informed, and adaptable, you’ll thrive.

If you go in expecting an extended vacation, reality will hit like a bureaucratic sledgehammer.

Now, how about you?

What’s the biggest myth about moving abroad that you once believed?

The post The 8 Biggest Myths About Moving Abroad… Debunked! appeared first on Expats Planet.

Ditch the guidebook! Here’s how I uncovered the real culture in places like Ukraine, Georgia, France, and beyond.

Why Most Travelers Never Experience the ‘Real’ Culture

I used to think I was a master of blending in. I had the essential backpack (even when unnecessary), a wobbly but enthusiastic attempt at local phrases, and a belief that ordering whatever the old man at the next table was eating made me an honorary local.

And guess what: It didn’t.

When I moved to Ukraine, I thought I was doing everything right:

• I took the marshrutkas and the metro instead of taxis.
• I drank samagon (Ukrainian moonshine) with neighbors. (They told me it was a “natural product/натуральный продукт”.)
• I even managed to keep a straight face when someone handed me salo (pure pig fat) as a drinking snack.

Then one day, a Ukrainian colleague smirked and said, “No local walks around with coffee to-go. That’s such an American thing.”

And just like that, my illusion of cultural assimilation crumbled.

The truth? Most travelers, even the adventurous ones, only skim the surface.

They snap photos of medieval churches in Tbilisi, pretend to be amazed by their 200th “hidden gem” café, and call it an authentic experience. And that’s fine… if you just want the postcard version of a place.

But if you want to feel the pulse of a country, you have to go deeper.

I’ve spent years living in Ukraine, Georgia, France, and Albania, and I’ve made just about every cultural misstep possible:

• Insulted a Ukrainian host by not drinking enough.
• Accidentally ordered a kilo of raw squid in Spain, thinking it was grilled calamari.
• Clapped like an overly enthusiastic American at the end of a movie in Poland (The Matrix, English version, no dubbing… seemed applause-worthy).

But these stumbles also taught me what actually works when it comes to experiencing real culture.

Forget the tourist traps.

Ignore the checklist of “authentic experiences” every travel blogger with a drone insists you must do.

Let’s get into it.

1. Go Beyond the ‘Must-See’ List (And Ask This Instead)

Most travelers treat trip planning like a grocery list.

They check off the monuments, the museums, and the “authentic” local dish you found on some influencer’s Instagram.

The result? 

You leave with pretty pictures but zero real connection to the place.

Take Kraków, Poland. Everyone flocks to Wawel Castle and the stunning Rynek Glowny square.

But the most interesting part of the city?

The tiny milk bars, no-frills eateries where locals eat for pocket change.

One afternoon, I ducked into one and found myself sitting elbow-to-elbow with an old Polish man who, despite our language barrier, made it clear I was ordering the wrong thing.

I followed his advice. What I got was pierogi so good, I almost applied for Polish citizenship.

Try this instead:

Instead of asking, “What should I see?” ask a local, “Where would you take a friend visiting for the first time?”

You’ll get real answers, not the ones regurgitated in every guidebook.

2. Eat Where the Grandparents Eat

If a restaurant is packed with tourists taking selfies with their food, it’s not where you want to be.

But if it’s packed with elderly locals arguing about soccer? 

Ding! Ding! Ding! Jackpot!

In Georgia, I skipped the trendy Tbilisi wine bars in the center and instead decided to finally try a local family-run restaurant in the neighborhood I was living in.

I went in expecting a quiet meal.

I left five hours later, full of Khinkali (Georgian dumplings), slightly inebriated from the Saperavi wine, and feeling like I’d been adopted by the owner and waitstaff.

I had since become a regular…

Try this instead: 

Walk a few blocks away from tourist-heavy areas and look for a small, packed restaurant where the menu isn’t in English.

Bonus points if there’s a cranky old man running the place, that means you’re about to eat something unforgettable.

3. Learn the “Unspoken” Rules of Daily Life

Culture isn’t just food and language — it’s **the tiny, unspoken rules that nobody teaches you** but everyone expects you to follow.

When I moved to Ukraine, I thought I was adapting well, until I got side-eyed for whistling indoors (apparently, it’s bad luck) and horrified gasps when I stepped on a manhole cover (which, in Ukraine, could mean a broken ankle or an encounter with a disgruntled sewer rat).

And don’t even get me started on the time I almost bought an even-numbered bouquet for a date, turns out, that’s strictly for funerals.

Try this instead:

Observe.

• How do locals greet each other?
• Do they pay at the counter or wait for the check?
• Do they tip? 

Mimic what you see, it’s the fastest way to blend in.

4. Use the Language… Even If You’re Terrible at It

There’s a magical thing that happens when you greet someone in their language: they suddenly stop treating you like an outsider.

In France, I made the mistake of opening conversations with, “Do you speak English?” and was often met with the same enthusiasm you’d reserve for stepping in dog poop.

But the moment I butchered a greeting in French first (“Bonjour, excusez-moi…”), everything changed.

The same people who were cold before suddenly became helpful, even kind, even if they immediately switched to English after hearing my tragic accent.

Try this instead:

Learn five key phrases before visiting a country:
1. Hello
2. Thank you
3. Please
4. Excuse me
5. Do you have wine? (Okay, maybe that’s just my essential list.)

5. Find a “Third Place” (And Become a Regular There)

Locals don’t live in tourist spots, they have third places, the coffee shops, bars, or street corners where they socialize between work and home.

If you want to understand a place, you need one of these, too.

In Vlore, Albania, I became a regular at a tiny café where the owner knew my order before I even sat down.

He didn’t speak much English, and my Albanian was limited to “hello,” “thank you,” and… “please don’t overcharge me.”

But over time, I learned more about life in Georgia from those morning coffee rituals than from any travel blog.

Try this instead: Pick a local café, bar, or market and go there every day.

Familiarity opens doors to conversations that tourists never get to have.

6. Accept Invitations… Even When It Feels Uncomfortable

Some of the best travel experiences start with an invitation you’re tempted to decline.

On the Camino de Santiago, our little band of pilgrims grew to eight or nine, a mismatched crew bound by blisters, bad jokes, and shared meals.

Among us was a Spanish girl from Ferrol, who, by the end, felt like family.

When she invited us to her home, we went. Her parents welcomed us like long-lost relatives.

We met her sister and her fiancé, toured the city, bar-hopped, devoured tapas, and reveled in the kind of hospitality that makes you question why you ever pay for hotels.

Then came the invite for all of us to come back for her sister’s wedding at the end of August.

Two of our group returned. They danced, ate, celebrated… and made memories that would last a lifetime.

I didn’t go and I regret it to this day.

Don’t make the same mistake.

If someone invites you into their world, say yes (within reason… don’t be reckless).

You’ll experience a side of travel no tourist attraction can give you.

And who knows? 

You might just get a wedding invite you won’t want to turn down.

7. What Separates Travelers from Tourists… Following Local News, Not Just Travel Blogs

If you want to understand a country, don’t just visit its landmarks, listen to its people.

In Spain, I thought I grasped the Catalonia independence debate, until I sat in a Barcelona bar, hearing locals argue over tapas and vermouth.

Suddenly, it wasn’t history, it was personal.

Try this instead:

• Read a local newspaper (or a translated version) before you arrive.
• Ask taxi drivers, bartenders, or café owners about current events.
• Engage beyond tourist attractions… people appreciate it.

At the end of the day, traveling like a local isn’t about where you go, but how you connect.

Some of my best travel moments weren’t planned… they happened because I said yes, stayed curious, and paid attention.

So here’s my challenge: Next time you travel, ditch the list.
Sit in a local café, learn three words in the language, ask a local for a recommendation.

You might just experience something no guidebook could ever show you.

Have a story where you truly felt part of another culture?

The post 7 Hidden Ways To Experience A Country Like A Local (That Most Tourists Overlook)! appeared first on Expats Planet.

Ditching rigid plans led me to my best travel experiences. Here’s how spontaneity unlocks better adventures…

I Used to Plan My Trips Like a Soldier… Until One Rainy Day in Tbilisi Changed Everything.

I thought the more I planned, the better my trip would be.

Then a “quick” wine bar stop in Tbilisi turned into a 4-hour conversation and homemade khinkali with strangers, leaving my crumpled itinerary worthless.

Suddenly, my entire day was ruined, but it was the best part of that trip.

We’re all told to follow perfect itineraries, but after years in places like Ukraine, France, Georgia and Albania, I learned the more you plan, the less you experience.

The best moments, wedding invites, hidden bars, wild adventures… aren’t on a schedule.

Obsessed with your itinerary? 

Ditch it!

Travel isn’t a checklist!

It’s what happens when you let go.

Ready to stop over-planning?

Let’s go!

The Illusion of the “Perfect” Travel Plan

Let’s be honest, most of us plan trips out of fear.

• Fear of wasting money.
• Fear of missing out.

Fear of standing in a foreign city, sweating profusely, trying to figure out if that sketchy-looking bus is actually going where Google Maps says it is.

I get it. I used to be the same way.

I thought the more structured my itinerary was, the smoother my trip would be.

What I didn’t realize was that my obsession with control was actually making travel more stressful, not less.

I wasn’t experiencing places, I was checking them off a list like some deranged completionist.

Take my first trip to Paris. I had a detailed three-day itinerary, each day meticulously planned down to the hour.

• Louvre at 9 AM. 
• Montmartre at 1 PM. 
• Seine river cruise at 6 PM.

I thought I had it all figured out.

Then, within hours of landing, everything went to hell.

My flight was delayed, the RER train broke down, and by the time I got to my Hotel, I was running on two hours of sleep and blind rage.

But here’s the thing. The best moments of that trip weren’t in my itinerary.

They were the unplanned ones:

• The random wine-fueled conversation with locals at a café in Le Marais.
• The unexpected street jazz performance near Notre Dame.
• The hole-in-the-wall boulangerie that served the best croissant I’d ever had. 

None of those were on my carefully constructed schedule.

And that’s when it hit me: the best travel experiences don’t happen on a timeline.

If you’re the kind of traveler who loves a good itinerary, I’m not saying you have to burn your Google Docs and delete all your travel spreadsheets.

But I am saying that a rigid plan might be the one thing standing between you and your most memorable trip.

Here’s why you should start letting go of your itinerary, and what to do instead.

7 Reasons to Let Go of Your Travel Itinerary

1. Spontaneity Leads to Unexpected Adventures
The best experiences often happen when you least expect them.

When I was in Tbilisi, Georgia with newly arrived friends from France, I had a full day planned, museum hopping, café stops, and a trip to the sulfur baths.

Then our Airbnb host called to check in and insisted we visit his wine cellar right in the city.

What started as a quick tour of his beautiful home, which he was restoring, turned into an unforgettable experience.

We tasted wines from his cellar while he shared the rich history and growing global reputation of Georgian winemaking.

One thing led to another, and we found ourselves in the countryside, exploring the ancient Jvari Monastery in Mtskheta, perched above the Aragvi and Kura rivers.

On the way back to Tbilisi, we indulged in some traditional food, making it a day we’d never planned… but wouldn’t change for the world.

Would we have had that experience if I had stuck to my itinerary?

Nope. 

And it remains one of my best travel memories.

2. Strict Plans Increase Stress, Not Enjoyment
A rigid schedule looks great on paper — until something inevitably goes wrong.

If you’ve ever had a flight delay, a missed train, or an unexpected attraction closure completely derail your entire plan, you know what I’m talking about.

I once had a packed schedule for Barcelona until I realized that my carefully timed entrance to Sagrada Familia was now useless because I got distracted by a three-hour tapas lunch and a pitcher of sangria.

Instead of stressing, I adjusted.

I wandered through the Gothic Quarter, stumbled upon an impromptu flamenco performance, and ended the night in a bar where I made new friends over pintxos.

Way better than a rushed checklist.

3. How a 2-Hour Itinerary Turned Into One of the Best Detours of My Life
I planned a quick trip to Ohrid just enough time to check out the lake, check it off my list and move on.

Then, by chance, a local café owner invited me to dinner.

What should’ve been a short lunch turned into a four-hour feast, endless rakija, and a crash course in Macedonian hospitality no guidebook could teach.

I ended up staying a few extra days. 

One of them? Spent nursing a brutal but well-earned hangover.

Itineraries are great… until they stop you from actually living the trip.

If I had stuck to my original plan, I would’ve missed all of that.

4. Overplanning Leads to Travel Burnout
Trying to cram too much into your trip? **Prepare to be exhausted.**

I learned this lesson the hard way in Ukraine.

My brilliant idea? 

Visit Lviv, Odessa and Crimea in a week, stuffing every waking hour with sightseeing.

By the fourth day, I was so drained that I ended up skipping my entire itinerary just to sleep and drink coffee in a random café.

Oh, and I never did make it to Crimea… not on that trip anyway. 

The irony?

That unplanned day, wandering, sitting in a park, people-watching, ended up being one of my favorites.

5. You Can’t Predict the Best Experiences
Some of the best travel moments aren’t things you can plan for.

In Albania, I was supposed to spend just one night in Vlore before heading south.

Instead, I met a local who took me on an impromptu road trip through the Albanian Riviera, showing me hidden beaches and tiny villages that no itinerary could have led me to.

That “quick stop” turned into an extra week.

Would I have extended my stay if I was hellbent on following a strict schedule?

Definitely not.

6. Your Interests May Change Once You Arrive
What sounds amazing in research doesn’t always feel amazing in reality.

I thought I’d love the Acropolis. On paper, it looked fascinating.

In reality? I paid €20 was sweating in 110-degree heat, surrounded by tourists, wondering if I had made a huge mistake.

Instead of forcing myself to stick it out, I left early and had one of the best meals of my life in a tiny, family-run taverna in a local neighborhood far outside the city center close to my Airbnb.

7. Locals Know Better Than Google
I love researching before a trip, but no itinerary beats a good local recommendation.

In Poland, I almost skipped a random neighborhood in Warsaw because none of my research mentioned it.

But then my Airbnb host said, “Trust me, go to Praga. It’s where the cool stuff is.”

That advice led me to underground jazz clubs, amazing street art, and a vodka bar where I somehow ended up singing Polish folk songs with strangers.

TripAdvisor could never have lined that night on the town up.

How to Travel Without a Rigid Itinerary (Without Feeling Lost or Unprepared)

1. Have a Loose Structure Instead of a Detailed Plan
Instead of “9:00 AM: Visit Museum,” try “Explore Old Town in the Morning.”

2. Give Yourself Free Time Every Day
Block at least two to three hours a day for spontaneous exploration.

3. Learn to Follow Your Instincts
Not feeling that museum? Skip it. See something interesting? Check it out.

4. Use Local Recommendations Over Guidebooks
Ask a bartender, a shop owner, your Airbnb host, they know what’s worth your time.

Embrace the Unpredictability of Travel

The best travel moments aren’t planned, they just happen.

So ditch the checklist, say yes to the unexpected, and get lost on purpose.

Years from now, you won’t remember the perfect itinerary… but you will remember the detour that changed everything!

What’s been your best unplanned travel experience?

The post 7 Reasons You Should Stop Following A Travel Itinerary And Why It’s Holding You Back! appeared first on Expats Planet.

I’ve learned the hard way that it’s never the big things (passport, charger, laptop) that mess up a trip… it’s the tiny, overlooked essentials that can turn an adventure into a stress-fueled nightmare.

These unexpected and overlooked must-haves can save your trip, your budget, and your sanity.

You Think You Packed Everything? Think Again…

I thought I had packing down to a science… until one brutal afternoon in a Greek bus station proved me dead wrong.

Stranded. Sweating. Cursing my past self for forgetting one tiny, stupid thing that turned my day into a disaster.

That’s the thing about travel. 

You remember the big stuff: passport, laptop, charger.

But it’s the small, overlooked essentials that wreck your trip.

• A dead phone with no way to charge it.
• A flimsy Airbnb door with zero security.
• A night of zero sleep thanks to late night revelers right outside your Airbnb window.

I’ve been there. You’ve probably been there too.

So before you smugly zip up your bag thinking you’re good to go, read this list.

These 9 essentials aren’t just nice-to-haves… they’re the difference between a smooth adventure and a logistical nightmare.

And if you forget something? Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

1. A Copy of Your Passport & Important Documents

Why It’s Overlooked:
“I have my passport, I’m good, right?” That’s what I thought too, until I was standing outside a police station in Kyiv, explaining in broken Russian why my passport was suddenly no longer in my possession.

And guess what: “I swear it was in my pocket” isn’t a compelling argument to the local cops, especially if you’re a foreigner.

Why It’s Essential:
Losing your passport abroad is like stepping into a real-life game of survivor.

Having a copy, both, physical and digital, makes replacing it infinitely easier.

Embassies aren’t known for their efficiency, but showing up prepared speeds up the bureaucratic nightmare.

Expat Tip:
Keep a physical copy of your passport in your suitcase and store a scanned version in cloud storage.

Also, snap a photo of your visa stamp if applicable, you’ll be surprised how many countries demand to see proof of entry, even if the current trend is moving away from passport stamps.

2. A Portable Door Lock for Extra Security

Why It’s Overlooked:
People assume hotel doors are secure enough. Those people have clearly never stayed in a guesthouse in rural Spain where “security” means a wobbly doorknob and the sheer hope that no one else has a key.

Why It’s Essential:
Airbnbs, hostels, and budget accommodations often have flimsy locks (or, let’s be honest, none at all).

A portable lock ensures that when you shut your door at night, it stays shut.

Expat Tip:
Invest in a lightweight, easy-to-install lock that works on multiple door types.

I’ve personally tested one in Spain, Italy and Georgia, and the peace of mind alone is worth its weight in gold.

3. A Reusable Water Bottle with a Built-In Filter

Why It’s Overlooked:
Many travelers assume they’ll just buy bottled water. Until they find themselves in a place like Paris, paying €4 for what is essentially overpriced tap water.

Why It’s Essential:
A reusable bottle saves you money, reduces plastic waste, and is a lifesaver in places where tap water is sketchy.

If you’ve ever had to do a late-night search for bottled water in a sleepy, off-season beach town in Albania, you’ll understand the importance of hydration foresight.

Expat Tip:
Opt for a collapsible bottle with a high-quality filter.

It’s the difference between drinking safely and an unexpected night getting well acquainted with a foreign toilet.

4. A Universal Power Adapter (with Built-In Surge Protection!)

Why It’s Overlooked:
Everyone remembers to bring a charger, no one remembers that not all outlets are created equal.

Why It’s Essential:
Different countries = different plug types. And if you think you can “just buy one when you land,” good luck explaining that to the shopkeeper in rural Romania who only sells knock-off Nokia chargers.

Expat Tip:
Get a universal adapter that covers all plug types and includes USB slots for charging multiple devices.

Bonus points if it has surge protection, because watching your phone die permanently from a voltage spike in a Tbilisi hostel is a pain I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

5. A Small First Aid Kit (With the Essentials You Can’t Find Abroad)

Why It’s Overlooked:
Most people assume pharmacies are universal.

But then they wind up in a Polish drugstore, trying to mime “food poisoning” to a confused pharmacist.

Why It’s Essential:
Not every country stocks the meds you’re used to. Simple painkillers, allergy meds, or stomach relief may require a prescription abroad.

And if you get hit with a surprise allergic reaction or food poisoning in a place where English isn’t widely spoken, you’ll want to have your own stash.

Expat Tip:
Pack pain relievers, stomach meds, bandages, and allergy pills.

If you’re headed to a tropical destination, throw in some rehydration salts, because nothing ruins a trip faster than dehydration and regret.

6. A Lightweight Packable Day Bag

Why It’s Overlooked:
Most people think their main backpack or suitcase is enough.

Until they find themselves awkwardly lugging everything around on a simple day trip.

Why It’s Essential:
A small day bag is crucial for quick outings, market visits, and hikes.

I learned this the hard way while trekking through the mountains of Northern Italy and Southern Switzerland, where I had to cram snacks, a camera, and an emergency rain jacket into my already overstuffed jacket pockets.

Expat Tip:
Get a foldable day bag that packs small but expands when needed.

It saves space and prevents you from looking like a disorganized mess.

7. A Travel-Sized Laundry Kit

Why It’s Overlooked:
Many travelers assume they’ll just “find a laundromat.” I once made that assumption in Milan, only to discover the nearest one was a 45-minute walk away, on a day when I was already running late.

Why It’s Essential:
Not all hotels or hostels have laundry services, and paying per item at a hotel is a scam of legendary proportions.

A quick wash in the sink can save both time and money.

Expat Tip:
Pack a small packet of detergent, a sink stopper, and a travel clothesline.

Your future self, especially the one facing a suitcase full of sweaty clothes, will thank you.

8. A Multi-Purpose Scarf or Large Wrap

Why It’s Overlooked:
It seems like a “nice-to-have,” not a necessity. Until you’re on an overnight bus in Spain and freezing to death because the AC is set to Arctic levels.

Why It’s Essential:
This one item can act as a blanket, pillow, sun cover, or even an emergency bag in a pinch.

I’ve used mine for everything from wrapping fragile souvenirs to covering up in conservative areas.

Expat Tip:
Go for a lightweight, quick-drying fabric that works in both warm and cold climates.

It’ll be the most versatile thing in your bag.

9. A Pair of Quality Earplugs

Why It’s Overlooked:
Most travelers assume they can sleep anywhere… until they find themselves in a paper-thin-walled Airbnb next to a pack of insomniac partygoers in Athens (seriously, it happened to me) or seated next to a crying baby on a red-eye flight to Vienna.

Why It’s Essential:
A solid pair of earplugs can turn a sleepless night into a full recharge, saving you from exhaustion-fueled travel meltdowns.

Whether it’s howling street dogs in Tbilisi at 2 a.m, or a construction crew in Saranda, Albania in the off-season, your sanity will thank you.

Expat Tip:
Skip the cheap foam ones. Invest in high-quality, reusable earplugs designed for travel and noise reduction.

I personally swear by them after an unforgettable (for all the wrong reasons) overnight train ride through Ukraine.

*Bonus: The One Item You’ll Regret Leaving Behind the Most*

I never thought I’d need duct tape while traveling.

And yet, in a tiny hotel room in Albania, I found myself desperately taping together my cracked “hard shell” suitcase after pulling it off the luggage carousel, right after a long flight, late night arrival, and an early departure that morning.

A small roll of duct tape can fix broken bags, leaky hotel windows, unraveling shoes, and even make emergency repairs to adapters or phone cables.

It’s one of those things you won’t think about, until you desperately need it.

Never Forget These Again

Packing is an art. But it’s also a science.

And if you don’t have these eight essentials, you’re one forgotten item away from paying way too much for something you could’ve packed for pennies.

What’s the one thing you forgot to pack that nearly ruined your trip?

The post 9 Essential Travel Items You Always Forget To Pack… And Why That’s A Huge Mistake! appeared first on Expats Planet.