Living Abroad: Lessons on Identity, Home & Belonging

What does it really mean to build a life abroad?

In this episode of the Almost Local Podcast, I sat down with Yanina Silva — an Argentinian who has lived across the United States, Australia, and now New Zealand — to explore the emotional and practical realities of living abroad.

Her story reflects something many expats experience but rarely put into words:
the constant negotiation between who you were, who you are becoming, and where “home” truly is.

You can listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or here as soon as the Podcast is live!

🌍 Living Abroad and Redefining “Home.”

For Yani (Yanina Silva), home is no longer a single place.

Originally from Argentina, she began her journey in 2003 and traveled through Boston, New York, Australia, and eventually New Zealand. Each chapter reshaped her identity — not just professionally, but emotionally.

Living abroad challenges the traditional idea of home.

It becomes:

A feeling rather than a location
A collection of experiences
A mix of cultures, people, and memories

👉 If this resonates, you might also enjoy:
The Expat Dilemma: 5 Biggest Challenges of Life Abroad

⚖️ The Expat Dilemma: Between Two Worlds

One of the most powerful themes in our conversation was something many expats quietly carry:

👉 The tension between your life abroad and your roots back home

Yani described the ongoing internal dialogue:

Should I stay or go back?
Am I missing out on life back home?
Where do I truly belong?

This emotional push-and-pull is not a sign of uncertainty — it’s part of the expat experience.

💡 Key Lessons from Living Abroad

International woman contemplating after moving abroad to New Zealand

1. Community Creates Belonging

Feeling at home doesn’t happen automatically — it’s built through connection.

For Yani, finding her people in New Zealand made all the difference.
Friendship became the bridge between being a foreigner and feeling “almost local.”

👉 Related read:
How to Make Friends When You’re Always the New Person

2. Adaptability Is a Survival Skill

Living abroad requires constant reinvention.

Yani’s time in Australia marked a turning point — she moved away from a purely career-driven identity and began prioritizing personal growth and flexibility.

Living abroad teaches you to:

Let go of rigid expectations
Embrace uncertainty
Redefine success on your own terms

3. The Hardest Challenges Are Emotional

Visas, jobs, housing — these are solvable.

But the real challenge of expat life is emotional:

Building deep relationships from scratch
Navigating cultural nuances
Feeling understood in a new environment

These are the invisible layers of life abroad.

4. The Journey Matters More Than the Destination

There is no final moment where everything “clicks.”

Settling into a new country is not a checklist — it’s a process.

Yani reminded us that:

You can do everything “right” and still feel unsettled
Belonging takes time
Growth happens in the in-between moments

5. Grief and Guilt Are Part of Living Abroad

One of the most honest parts of our conversation was this:

Every time Yani returns to Argentina, she experiences a sense of grief.

Living abroad often means:

Missing milestones back home
Feeling divided between two lives
Carrying guilt for choosing one over the other

And yet, this emotional complexity is also what deepens the experience.

6. Navigating Personal Challenges Abroad

Living abroad can amplify personal challenges — especially when it comes to health.

Yani shared her experience managing chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia while living overseas. Without the familiar support systems of home, resilience becomes essential.

It’s a reminder that:
👉 Life abroad isn’t always glamorous
👉 But it builds strength in unexpected ways

👤 About Yani

Yani (Yanina Silva) is originally from Argentina and is currently living in New Zealand, after spending years in the United States and Australia. Her journey reflects the emotional complexity of living abroad — navigating identity, belonging, and building a life across cultures.

Alongside her personal journey, Yani is also the founder of Minitembo, a project connected to motherhood and breastfeeding, created from her own lived experience.

📍 Based in: New Zealand
🌍 Lived in: Argentina, USA, Australia
📲 Follow her journey on Instagram: @Yaninasilvainsta
🤱 Explore her project: Instagram @Minitembo and website https://www.minitembo.com/