Is it still called "going home" when you live abroad? Taylor and Lili unpack the complicated experience of returning to America after building lives overseas.
With Taylor preparing for her imminent trip back to the States, we dive into both the practical logistics and the emotions of these visits—from the excitement of reunions to the unexpected grief of realizing how much has changed while you've been away.
In this episode, you'll discover:
The delicate art of packing for home visits (hint: bring an empty suitcase for Target hauls and childhood mementos)
Strategic flight booking to maximize money and time with loved ones
Budgeting realistically for these increasingly expensive pilgrimages back
Managing the bittersweet reality of having your heart split between two continents
Plus: The return of our "Call Your Mother" segment, where both Taylor and Lili's moms share their perspectives on visits home and how they prepare and what they look forward to most.
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Tags: expat home visits, returning to America, reverse culture shock, visiting family while living abroad, expat homesickness, maintaining relationships abroad, American expats, visiting USA, international moves, expat guilt, emotional challenges abroad, split between countries