Feeling the highs and lows of this journey? Sometimes it can feel a bit lonely or like a roller coaster.
Whether you have moved abroad, grew up as the child of immigrants, are in an intercultural relationship, are experiencing reverse culture shock after returning to a place you once called ‘home,’ work with internationally mobile individuals, or simply love someone whose life has been influenced by another culture…
We get it!
Small in-person gatherings in Auckland where international women meet, share stories and build friendships.
Join our next Coffee Circle August 8 – Auckland.
A space to slow down, have real conversations, and feel less alone.
Real conversations about life abroad — identity, career, belonging and everything in between.
Listen to the last Episode: Month Reflections on life in New Zealand with Maria.
What happens when life takes you across countries, multiple languages, and completely different cultures?
Are you living the ‘Almost Local’ experience? Are you navigating life abroad and living between cultures? → Join the Circle.
Are you helping people through this experience?
We’re building a curated network of professionals whose work supports people living between cultures.→ Become a Contributor.
Maria, Founder of Almost Local
“It wasn’t one single moment — it was the presence in the room. The safe and trustworthy space Maria and Andrea created allowed us to truly connect. I felt seen in shared experiences and inspired by others’ stories. Even knowing only a few women beforehand, I left feeling a real sense of belonging.”
"Great initiative taking shape in this beautiful community! Always great to connect, share and meet new people! 🫶"
"Thank you so much Maria for inviting me today. And for putting together a very thoughtful event with a beautiful group of women. You and Andrea are very special women ❤️"
See what we've been up to
Almost Local Podcast Episodes, Almost Local Voices
Moving abroad doesn’t just change your address — it quietly changes the habits that shape your identity. Reflecting on Maria’s latest Almost Local episode.
Almost Local Podcast Episodes, Almost Local Voices
Almost Local Podcast Episodes, Life in New Zealand
Almost Local Podcast Episodes, Almost Local Voices, Life in New Zealand
Almost Local began with a question: What does living between cultures do to us?
After growing up and living between different places—Argentina, Brazil, New Zealand and the Netherlands—I realised I wasn’t looking for travel tips. I was looking for conversations that could help make sense of that question.
Almost Local became a space to better understand what life between cultures does to us.
I believe stories bring us closer. They help us feel a little less alone, a little more understood, and remind us that our experiences are often more universal than we think.
My hope is that these stories don’t just connect people who have lived abroad. They also bring us closer to the people we live alongside—our neighbours, friends, colleagues and families—creating more empathy, more understanding and a greater sense of belonging, wherever we call home.
