One of the biggest challenges of moving abroad isn't navigating visas or finances—it's combating the loneliness that comes with leaving your support system behind. This week, Taylor and Lili tackle the critical topic of finding and building community when you're thousands of miles from home.
Join us as we welcome Vita Klimashevska, founder of Czech Expat Club, who has mastered the art of creating vibrant expat communities from scratch. After experiencing the isolation of moving to Prague herself, Vita built an organization that now connects international residents through events, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Whether you've just landed in a new country, are planning an international move, or have been abroad for years but still struggle with isolation, this episode provides actionable strategies for building the community support system that makes expat life not just survivable, but truly fulfilling.
Connect with Czech Expat Club: https://www.instagram.com/czechexpatclub/
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Tags: expat communities, building community abroad, international networking, overcoming expat loneliness, Prague expat groups, connecting overseas, expat entrepreneurs, community building abroad, finding friends internationally, expat events, cultural integration, international support systems
Dreaming of moving abroad but not sure about how you'll pay the bills? In this episode Taylor and Lili pull back the curtain on one of the most practical aspects of move abroad and expat life: how to actually make money while living overseas.
As two Americans who've built freelance careers that fund their lives in Prague and London, we share our journeys from traditional employment to location-independent income that made our moves possible.
In this episode, you'll discover:
Taylor's path from healthcare to consulting and non-profit work that now funds her Prague lifestyle
Lili's evolution from English teacher in Spain to podcast manager in London
Figuring out what freelance career YOU should pursue given your unique perspective and sitution
Practical strategies for finding your first clients, from leveraging your existing network to platforms like Upwork and LinkedIn
Smart pricing strategies for international clients (and why you should raise your rates faster than you think)
How content creation fits into the freelance puzzle
If you have just started as a freelancer, never even considered it, or are well on your self-employment journey: this episode has something for you!
Plus: Taylor and Lili share their latest "Integration Check/Czech" moments!
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/
Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague
Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld
Tags: freelancing abroad, digital nomad income, remote work overseas, expat careers, self-employment visa, location independent jobs, making money abroad, freelance for expats, international remote work, building online income
Everyone has that one friend who studies abroad. And maybe even one who stayed and lives abroad. Maybe the next one can be you?
Hunter Vaughan is the friend that moved abroad and he is sharing his journey from rural North Carolina to Prague for university (or college for American listeners) and a masters in London. In the episode we unpack:
The stark gender split of study abroad
Why Prague is the perfect student city
How studying abroad changes your whole life
Working in the study abroad industry
Moving to Glasgow to help other students live the dream
And of course we share what foods we’re missing on the menu!
Follow Hunter: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntervaughannn
His Insta: https://www.instagram.com/huntervaughannn
Hunter’s Website: https://www.hunterabroad.com/
His Substack: https://hunterabroad.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/
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Pop the champagne! 🥂 It's officially been ONE YEAR since Taylor and Lili packed their American lives into suitcases and moved to Prague and London. But did their dreams match the reality?
We’re get brutally honest about their first year abroad - from the unexpected wins to the embarrassing fails and everything in between. If you're planning your own international move, consider this your unofficial survival guide from two Americans who just survived the rookie year.
You'll discover:
The #1 thing both Taylor and Lili wish someone had told them before moving
How their relationships with friends and family back home have evolved (or deteriorated) over the distance
Whether the financial reality matched their expectations (and the money lessons they learned the hard way)
Their honest assessment: is moving abroad actually worth it after experiencing all four seasons in their new homes?
Plus: Taylor and Lili reveal their updated future plans - is one of them already thinking about the next move?
Whether you're in the dreaming phase, actively planning, or already living abroad, this episode delivers the unfiltered one-year checkpoint that will either validate your expat journey or give you the reality check you need before taking the leap.
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/
Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague
Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld
That moment when you're curled up in the fetal position, burning with fever in a foreign country, and realize you can't just call mom for her magical chicken soup? Welcome to adulting abroad at its most brutal!
This week, Taylor and Lili get raw about one of the most overlooked challenges of moving abroad: getting sick when you're thousands of miles from your support system and familiar medications. From frantically Google Translating symptoms to navigating foreign pharmacies while feeling like death, we cover it all!
In the episode you hear:
How to prepare for your move abroad knowing a sickness will slap you in the face AKA what meds to pack
How being sick abroad hits different
The healthcare systems in Prague and London and why the US sucks so bad at healthcare for normal people
Whether you're planning a move abroad or already living overseas, this episode delivers the practical advice and emotional preparation for that inevitable first illness that no one warns you about!
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/
Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague
Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld
Tags: healthcare abroad, sick while traveling, expat healthcare, moving abroad preparation, international healthcare comparison, medicine abroad, foreign pharmacies, expat essentials, American healthcare overseas, expat challenges, living abroad realities
Ever planned on backpacking for a year and half way though you… hate it? Well, Jezelle has and she ended up in Australia because of it.
This week, Taylor and Lili chat with Jezelle (@lifeofjz_) who went from "I hate this backpack" to "I'm never leaving Australia!” When her Southeast Asian adventure came to an end, Jezelle made the spontaneous decision to fly to Brisbane instead of heading home to London.
In this episode, you'll hear:
The honest moment Jezelle realized she was DONE with the backpacking life
Her wild 30-day race against the clock to find both a job AND an apartment in Australia
How she built "Black Girls in Melbourne" - a social community for Black women in Melbourne when she couldn't find one
The emotional truth about building a life 10,000+ miles from family
Whether you're fantasizing about life Down Under, curious about how people end up in completely unexpected countries, or just love a good "this wasn't the plan but it worked out better" story, Jezelle's journey from accidental tourist to Australian resident will have you reconsidering your own five-year plan!
Follow Jezelle: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeofjz_
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/
Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague
Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld
Tags: moving to Australia, expat life Melbourne, Black women abroad, failed backpacking trip, British expats in Australia, Australian work visa, rental market Australia, expat communities, moving abroad stories
Americans abroad get a lot of crap, but do we really deserve it? This week on Packing Up & Peacing Out, Lili and Taylor discuss the realities of being Americans abroad when everyone thinks we are too loud and or too ignorant. This topic can get interesting, especially given the news and realities happening in the US, and Taylor and Lili don’t hold back what they really think about it.
Also, Diane and Kelly pop in for another segment of Call Your Mother!
Whether you're an American considering a move abroad, already living overseas, or just curious about the expat experience, this episode offers honest insights into navigating the world with one of the most recognizable (and sometimes controversial) passports.
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/
Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague
Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld
Ever wondered what happens when a British girl swaps rainy Manchester for sunny Australia? This week, we're exploring life in Oz as an Au Pair dealing with a breakup.
Join Taylor and Lili as they welcome their special guest Emma from @EmmaNicoleTravels - from navigating the au pair life (spoiler: it's not always the dream job Instagram makes it look like) to experiencing the rollercoaster of dating and heartbreak in a foreign country, Emma's story will have you laughing, nodding, and maybe booking a one-way ticket Down Under.
In this episode, you'll discover:
The REAL tea about being an au pair abroad
What dating looks like when you're a British expat in Australia (and how to survive a gut-wrenching breakup thousands of miles from home)
Behind-the-scenes insights into building a travel brand from scratch and monetizing social media
The unexpected foods Emma misses from the UK
Updates from Taylor's Prague life and Lili's London adventures
Whether you're dreaming of moving abroad, curious about the au pair experience, or just love hearing stories from fellow expats, this episode delivers the unfiltered reality of building a life in another hemisphere.
Follow Emma: https://www.instagram.com/emmanicoletravels/
https://www.tiktok.com/@emmanicoletravels
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/
Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld
Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague
Not everyone is cut out for immigrant or expat life, and your personality might be the deciding factor between thriving abroad or… booking the next flight home?
In this episode, Taylor and Lili tackle the question everyone's too afraid to ask: "Is my personality actually suited for living in another country?" Lili confesses to how she used to care WAY too much, while Taylor reveals how a year in Prague transformed her in unexpected ways.
You'll discover:
Which personality types struggle abroad (and which ones thrive)
The brutal reality of the "loud American" stereotype
How celebrating birthdays, job hunting, and making friends tests every aspect of your character
The personality traits that help for surviving your first year
Whether introverts or extroverts have an easier time
Before you sell everything and buy that one-way ticket, listen to this episode and ask yourself: "Am I really built for this life, or am I just having a quarter-life crisis?"
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/
Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld
Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague
So you want to move abroad but haven't gone all the way... with a visa application yet? Don't worry, the first time is always a little awkward, but we're here to help you through it!
Welcome to this week's episode of Packing Up & Peacing Out where Taylor and Lili are getting intimate with the topic everyone's curious about but afraid to ask: how to get that very first visa to live abroad.
In this episode, we're breaking down the 5 best "starter visas" for people looking to make their first international move. From the commitment-light fling of a Working Holiday to the long-term relationship of a Partner Visa, we're covering all your options for legally shacking up in a foreign country.
You'll learn about:
Student Visas: The classic "I'm just here to learn" approach that works in almost every country (and might lead to something more serious!)
Working Holiday Visas: The casual summer romance of visas- fun, exciting, but with a definite expiration date (typically for those 18-30)
Partner Visas: When your relationship status literally determines your visa status- Taylor shares her hilarious story of the foreign police randomly showing up to verify her relationship was "real" (awkward!)
Digital Nomad/Freelance Visas: For the independent types who don't want to be tied down to one employer (but still need to prove you can support yourself)
Cultural Exchange Visas: The "live with the locals" experience, perfect for au pairs and those on a budget (but expect some curfews and house rules!)
Whether you're dreaming of Prague's cobblestone streets, London's busy pubs, or a beach in Bali, this episode will help you understand which visa might be your ticket to that first international adventure. Remember, everyone was a visa virgin once, even us!
Check out this comprehensive guide to digital nomad and freelance visas in Europe: https://wherecani.live/digital-nomads-the-self-employed-and-visas-in-europe/
Going to Grad School in Europe- Simplifying the Application Process: https://www.arichwomansworld.com/blog/how-to-simplify-your-grad-school-applications-for-the-uk-amp-europe
Working Holiday in Australia Guide: https://www.arichwomansworld.com/blog/working-holiday-visa-australia-guide
Have you already lost your visa virginity on one of these pathways? We'd love to hear your story! Message us on Instagram to potentially be featured on a future episode.
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/
Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld
Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague
Tags: first time visas, how to move abroad, expat visas for Americans, working holiday visa, digital nomad visa, student visa abroad, partner visa experience, cultural exchange programs, legal ways to move overseas, visa options for expats
Ever scrolled past those Instagram posts of people working poolside in Bali and wondered if it's actually achievable? This week, we're pulling back the curtain on the digital nomad lifestyle with someone who's mastered it!
Join Taylor and Lili as they interview Paige Copeland, founder of Becoming Solo and digital nomad extraordinaire. After hitting rock bottom, Paige completely transformed her life by embracing location independence—and now helps others do the same through her thriving business organizing group trips for solo travelers.
In this eye-opening conversation, you'll discover:
The raw, unfiltered story of how Paige's lowest moment became the catalyst for her digital nomad journey
The surprising challenges of the laptop lifestyle that Instagram doesn't show you
How Paige turned her passion for solo travel into a successful business venture
The practical steps to transition from a traditional career to location independence
Why solo travel is genuinely transformative (and not just a trendy hashtag)
Whether Paige would ever consider moving back to the UK after years of global living
Whether you're dreaming of escaping the 9-5, curious about building a location-independent business, or simply fascinated by alternative lifestyles, this episode delivers honest insights and actionable advice from someone who's living the reality—not just the highlight reel.
Follow Paige
Follow Becoming Solo
Join a Becoming Solo Trip
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star review! Your support helps more people discover our podcast.
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/
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Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague
Tags: digital nomad lifestyle, location independent work, solo travel for women, travel creator, travel entrepreneur, digital nomad income, starting travel business, remote work abroad, female digital nomads, group travel business, expat entrepreneurs
Remember that first day of kindergarten when making friends was as simple as sharing a crayon? Fast forward to moving abroad as an adult, and suddenly you're back to square one… except this time, your mom isn't there to give you a reassuring hug before she leaves!
In this episode of Packing Up & Peacing Out, Taylor and Lili tackle one of the biggest challenges of expat life: building meaningful friendships from scratch in a foreign country. From awkward language barriers to navigating cultural differences in social norms, we're sharing our unfiltered experiences of friend-dating abroad.
You'll hear about:
Lili's wild story of how a potential "friend" turned into her dedicated internet troll (and the red flags she missed)
Taylor's close call with befriending a certain type of "supporter" and Lili's similar experience
Our honest review of expat meetups, language exchanges, apps, and sports clubs—what actually worked and what wasn’t for us
The surprising places we found our closest friends abroad
Timeline for turning acquaintances into genuine friends when you're starting from zero
Whether you've just landed in a new country or you're still struggling to find your people years into expat life, this episode delivers practical strategies and relatable stories to help you build the support system you need abroad.
Have your own friendship abroad story to share? DM us on Instagram @packuppeaceout we may feature it in an upcoming episode!
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/
Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld
Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague
Tags: making friends abroad, expat friendships, building community overseas, expat loneliness, social life abroad, American expats, friend dating, immigrant friendships, international friendships, expat social groups, overcoming loneliness abroad, friendship apps for expats
Ever dreamt of falling in love with a frenchie? Welp, what happens when the red wine and cigarettes of it all fades, and you need to do some french bureaucracy… tragique!
This episode of Packing Up & Peacing Out with Lili and Taylor is our first ever guest episode and we’re so excited to be joined by Celina of @celinaacotedeparis. Celina’s story is a whirlwind that started with a stint in Paris, a stint in London, and now living outside of Paris (where the real Parisiens live) with her logterm french partner.
Since Taylor and Lili are both in international relationships, but having very different stories, we wanted to ask Celina about her experience. We get into the first meeting and romantic story, how paperwork can get in the way, what its like having French in laws, and why in the end they are just guys. Whether you're an expat already dating internationally, dreaming of finding love abroad, or just curious about cross-cultural relationships, this episode delivers the honest conversation about dating abroad that guidebooks never mention!
Listen now for the dish on dating Europeans we all wish we'd had before moving abroad!
Follow Celina on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@celinaacotedeparis On Insta: https://www.instagram.com/celinaacotedeparis
Her Site: https://celinatolbert.com/
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/
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Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague
"But how will you live there if you don't speak the language?!" Every expat or immigrant has heard this question… and in this episode, we're tackling it head-on!
Join Lili and Taylor as they dive into the real struggles and surprising wins of navigating life in countries where English isn't the primary language. Lili reveals her humbling experience living in Spain despite years of classroom Spanish (spoiler: she could barely order a beer), while Taylor shares her Czech Republic journey and whether learning Czech is worth the effort.
In this episode:
The honest truth about whether you NEED to learn the local language to thrive abroad
How language barriers impact your ability to build authentic friendships
Our tried-and-tested language learning methods that actually work for busy adults
The unexpected emotional impact of not understanding conversations around you
Practical tips for surviving daily life when you're still learning (grocery shopping, doctor visits, bureaucracy)
Whether you're considering a move to a non-English speaking country or already struggling with language immersion, this episode delivers actionable strategies and real talk about what it's actually like on the ground.
Listen now for the language learning advice we wish we'd had before moving abroad!
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/
Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld
Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague
Tags: language learning abroad, expat language barriers, living in non-English countries, learning Czech, Spanish for expats, language immersion, American expats in Europe, language learning apps, cultural adaptation, moving abroad, expat dating, language learning tips, immigrant problems
"So you both have rich dads, right? That's how you paid for your lives abroad?"
Well... not exactly. In this no-filter episode, Taylor and Lili pull back the curtain on the financial realities of moving overseas.
We get into ALL the money questions you're too afraid to ask:
If you've been wondering if moving abroad is financially realistic for your bank account, or you've already moved and want to compare your spending with other expats, this episode is your financial reality check!
No sugar daddies, no BS—just two American gals sharing the unfiltered financial tea about what it really takes to pack up and peace out.
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/
Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakespragueFollow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld
Tags: expat finances, cost of living abroad, moving abroad budget, expat salaries, saving money overseas, American expats, international relocation, financial planning for expats, Prague cost of living, London expat budget, immigrants
"How could you move so far away from your family?!" If you've moved abroad, you've heard this question a million times. This week, we're answering it!
Taylor and Lili unpack the emotional reality of being thousands of miles from the people who love you most. From dealing with homesickness during holidays to managing the guilt when you miss important events, we get REAL about the challenges of being an expat daughter.
In this episode:
Our honest strategies for combating FOMO when scrolling through hometown Instagram stories
How to balance nurturing old friendships while building your new social circle
The special 'Call Your Mother' segment featuring both our moms sharing their raw reactions to our moves
Planning visits: how often, where, and making the most of limited time together
Whether you're preparing for the big move or already abroad, these insights will help you maintain the relationships that matter most—no matter how many time zones separate you.
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/
Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld
Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague
Tags: expat lifestyle, moving abroad tips, living overseas, American expats, international relocation, adapting to life abroad, expat community, making friends abroad
Visa? Check. Apartment? Check. But what about everything else that makes life worth living? In this episode, Taylor and Lili dive into the essential but often overlooked aspects of building a fulfilling expat life.
Discover how to:
Create a thriving social calendar from scratch in a new country
Establish a support network that feels like family
Transform a foreign apartment into a place that truly feels like home
Taylor shares her supermarket mishaps in Prague, while Lili reveals her tried-and-true method for making friends as an American woman abroad.
Whether you've just landed or you're still in the planning phase, these practical tips will help you create not just a functional life overseas, but one that brings you genuine joy.
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/
Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague
Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld
Tags: expat lifestyle, moving abroad tips, living overseas, American expats, international relocation, adapting to life abroad, expat community, making friends abroad
Have you ever wanted to Pack Up & Peace Out? Us too.
Welcome to the first episode of Packing Up & Peacing Out! We're Taylor and Lili, two Americans who took the leap to live abroad, and we're here to help you decide if moving overseas is right for you. OR if you've already made the move, we're dishing all the tea about what it's REALLY like to build a life in another country.
In this episode:
Our completely different journeys of moving abroad
Taylor's real-life romance story that led her across the ocean
Lili's "moving addiction" and her honest experience of losing a parent while living thousands of miles away
Practical advice for Americans considering the expat life
The emotional rollercoaster of your first year living abroad
Whether you're dreaming about moving overseas, actively planning your escape, or already navigating expat life, this podcast is your ultimate companion for the journey.
Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/
Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague
Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld
