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When My Fluent English Made Me Feel Guilty
For years, English was my thing. Until it wasn’t. ⠀It wasn’t just a language I learned and loved – it became part of who I was.I was the girl who picked it up quickly.The one who built a career out of it.The only non-native English teacher among native-speaking colleagues.Heck, I even built an entire business based…
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Ask Anita 📮: How to Handle Accent Insecurity
Q: “I feel that people treat me differently when they notice my accent. How do I deal with this?” ⠀Ahhh, I get it! This was something I tiptoed around for years too. Having lived in Australia for 15+ years, you’ll hear Aussie in my accent, but it definitely still carries little echoes of my roots.⠀I…
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Teaching International Baccalaureate (IB) in Europe: How It All Started
Wait… You’re a high school teacher ?? Teaching in Europe ?? I haven’t really talked much about my life as a high school teacher. Honestly? It’s a bit like being on a fast-moving train—constantly in motion, always surrounded by people, and barely a moment to catch your breath. I love working with people, but as…
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How Europe Changed Me: An Unexpected Lesson from an Australian Immigrant
It’s been 1.5 years since I officially moved to the Netherlands from Sydney.⠀I didn’t move to Europe looking for poetry in the everyday.⠀I moved because I felt that quiet itch—the kind that creeps in when life starts to feel a bit too predictable. You know the one. That voice in your late 20s or early…
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I Stopped Searching for Friends—And Found Them (Here’s How)
When I first arrived in the Netherlands, I was eager to make friends. Back in Sydney, I used to host Meetups myself and loved seeing how much joy and connection these events brought to people. Naturally, I thought attending Meetups here would be a great way to build my own social circle. So, off I…
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“Then Learn Dutch”: Reflections on an Unpleasant Encounter
Earlier this March, I finally committed to learning Dutch and signed up for a language course (thankfully funded by my employer!). Learning a new language from scratch is never easy, and it becomes even more challenging when everyday tasks turn into stressful experiences due to the language barrier. I remember one time at the supermarket…
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What Finally Inspired Me to Learn Dutch as an Expat
To be honest, for a while I struggled to find the motivation to learn Dutch consistently. Dutch people speak amazing English, and working at an international school where English is the official language doesn’t help either. So yeah, my motivation was kinda meh During my first 2 months in the Netherlands, I barely uttered a…
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On Making Friends in a Foreign Land
Life as an expat or immigrant is never easy. Even the smallest things can weigh you down when you don’t have your go-to place for everything yet—whether it’s a GP, a favourite cafe, or even just finding a dress (YES THAT’S RIGHT). ⠀But the most challenging part of all is rebuilding your social network. Finding…
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The ‘All or Nothing’ Myth in Entrepreneurship: Why Going Back to a Job Isn’t a Step Back
Entrepreneurship comes with a lot of bold advice, and the coaching industry has its flaws. Over the years, I’ve heard the same message on repeat: “If you’re serious about your business, you need to go all in. No backup plans, no returning to a regular job.”⠀As someone who spent three years running a business full-time,…
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Australia to Europe: A Year of Crossroads – Part 3/3
「 Yes, things can change, often faster than you realise and in better ways than you could ever imagine.」 In 2023, I visited the Netherlands three times—winter, spring, and summer. Admittedly, the Netherlands wasn’t initially on my radar. Yet, each visit tugged at my heart a little more. Among all the European countries I had…
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