Living abroad rarely starts with big questions.
But sooner or later, they show up.
Where do I belong now?
Who am I becoming here?
And what happens when the version of me from “before” no longer fits?
Welcome to Almost Local — a space for women who have lived abroad long enough to know that belonging isn’t a destination, but an evolving experience. I’m Maria, founder and host of the Almost Local Podcast, where I share real stories of life between cultures, often shaped over many years — even decades.
In this episode, I sat down with Sandra, an expat living in Dubai, whose journey across continents offers a powerful lens into identity, community, and the courage it takes to reinvent yourself when life abroad asks for something new.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here or → Spotify | Apple Podcasts
Or continue reading below.
Long-Term Expat Identity: When “In Between” Becomes Normal
Sandra grew up between cultures — Egyptian and Lebanese — and has lived abroad for much of her adult life. By the time she arrived in Dubai, she wasn’t new to relocation. She was experienced, capable, and globally fluent.
And yet, she shared something many long-term expats recognize instantly:
Dubai felt different because she didn’t need to explain herself anymore.
In a city where most people have lived elsewhere, being “in between” wasn’t something to overcome — it was simply understood.
For women who have lived abroad for 10, 15, or even 20 years, this moment matters. It’s often when we stop trying to anchor our identity in one place — and allow it to be layered instead.
👉 You might also resonate with why I created Almost local in the first place:
Why I Created Almost Local: The Expat Dilemma
Personal Reflection: Do Some Cities Make Living Between Identities Easier?
One moment that stayed with me from our conversation was how Sandra described her sense of ease in Dubai — not because it feels like “home” in the traditional sense, but because so many people there are also in transition.
Having lived in multiple countries, she shared that Dubai is a place where her story finally makes sense. Her mixed background, her international career, her constant movement — none of it needs simplifying.
There is something incredibly powerful about being in a place where being “from everywhere and nowhere” is normal.
Living Abroad for 10+ Years: Career Confidence and Quiet Disorientation
One of the most honest parts of Sandra’s story was her experience of career uncertainty — not at the beginning of her expat life, but well into it.
She had experience.
Leadership.
Perspective.
What she didn’t have was clarity.
This is something many women over 35 experience abroad: not questioning whether we are capable, but where we want to place our energy next.
Sandra didn’t rush this phase. Instead, she leaned into conversation and community — particularly through her involvement with the British Chamber of Commerce.
What emerged wasn’t just opportunity, but reconnection — with her confidence, her voice, and a renewed sense of direction.
👉 Related read:
Blog: The Expat Dilemma: 5 Biggest Challenges of Life Abroad
Why Community Matters for Long-Term Expats
By this stage of life abroad, community isn’t about survival.
It’s about sustainability.
Sandra’s story is a reminder that connection remains essential, even when life appears settled — especially then.
Community becomes the place where we:
- reflect out loud
- recalibrate identity
- Imagine what the next chapter could look like
It’s where we’re seen beyond roles we may have outgrown.
Personal Moment: Is Community the Bridge Back to Yourself?
Sandra didn’t magically feel settled the moment she arrived in Dubai.
She spoke openly about a period of feeling capable and experienced — yet unsure how to re-enter the professional world in a new country. What shifted things for her wasn’t a job application.
It was people.
By joining the British Chamber of Commerce, Sandra didn’t just expand her network. She rebuilt confidence. Conversations led to opportunities. Opportunities led to clarity.
This part of her story is such a powerful reminder: community isn’t a “nice to have” when living abroad — it’s often the bridge back to yourself.
👉 You may also enjoy:
Blog: Why Making Friends Abroad Still Matters After 10+ Years
Reinvention Abroad: Pivoting Without Starting Over
Perhaps the most powerful part of Sandra’s journey is what she didn’t do.
She didn’t force herself back into an old version of success.
She didn’t minimize her discomfort.
She didn’t label change as failure.
Instead, she allowed herself to pivot.
That pivot eventually became Empower, a coaching initiative shaped by her long experience of transition, identity shifts, and inner questioning.
For women who have lived abroad for decades, reinvention isn’t dramatic — it’s intentional. It’s informed by lived experience, not uncertainty.
Personal Reflection: Is Moving Abroad the Perfect “Excuse” for a Career Pivot?
Sandra’s decision to pivot rather than force the old path to fit felt especially resonant.
Rather than returning to what was familiar but no longer aligned, she allowed herself to explore a different direction. That exploration eventually led to Empower — built directly from her own doubts, transitions, and growth.
It wasn’t a straight line.
It was a response to listening inward—and trusting that discomfort was pointing to something new.
Reflections for Long-Term Expats Living Abroad
If you’ve lived abroad for many years, Sandra’s story may resonate in unexpected ways:
- You can be successful and questioning
- Identity doesn’t stabilize — it deepens
- Community evolves with you
- Reinvention is not regression
- You’re allowed to want something different now
You’re Not Late. You’re Right on Time.
Living abroad long-term reshapes you — quietly, persistently, profoundly.
Sandra’s story is a reminder that growth doesn’t end once you’re “settled.”
It simply becomes more internal.
If you’re an almost local — especially after many years abroad — this space is for you.
🎧 Listen to the full episode
📩 Join the Almost Local newsletter + Get our Free Workbook for Life Abroad.
With warmth,
Maria
About Sandra
Sandra is a long-term expat currently living in Dubai, with a background shaped by years of living between cultures. Drawing from her own experience of transition, identity shifts, and career reinvention abroad, she now works as a coach and facilitator, supporting others navigating change.
You can follow Sandra and learn more about her work on Instagram at @thirdculturecoach
What changes after living abroad for many years?
After many years abroad, challenges often shift from practical adjustment to deeper questions around identity, belonging, and purpose. Many long-term expats feel settled externally, while internally navigating change and reinvention.
Is it normal to feel “in between” even after 10 or 20 years abroad?
Yes. Many long-term expats describe feeling connected to multiple places without fully belonging to just one. This sense of “in between” often becomes a permanent — and meaningful — part of identity.
Why do successful expats still experience career uncertainty?
Career uncertainty abroad is common, especially for experienced women. It’s often less about capability and more about alignment, values, and deciding where to invest energy in the next chapter.
Why is community still important for long-term expats?
Community helps long-term expats reflect, recalibrate identity, and imagine what’s next. Even after years abroad, meaningful connection supports confidence, clarity, and emotional wellbeing.
Is reinvention abroad starting over?
No. Reinvention for long-term expats is usually intentional and informed by lived experience. It’s not about starting from scratch — it’s about choosing differently.