💜🎙️In this week’s episode, Margaret Özemet shares her essay, “To Mi or Not to Mi, My Turkish Conundrum,” reflecting on her adventures as an expat in Turkey, navigating language barriers, love, and the humor found in cultural mishaps.
During our conversation, Margaret spoke about her whirlwind romance, the decision to move to Turkey, and how she navigated language barriers and built relationships with her husband’s Turkish family. As a former expat, she stressed the value of building strong bonds with other expats and creating a community when living abroad. Margaret also highlighted the value of living in different countries to broaden your perspective, understand what it means to feel limited in your communication skills, build empathy for others, and experience as much of the world as possible. She encourages everyone to take risks, trust their gut, and stop waiting for the “right time”' to pursue their dreams.
Margaret Özemet is a teacher, writer, wife, mother, and former expat whose passion for storytelling spans continents. Her work has been featured in various online platforms, print journals, and anthologies including New Letters, Red Fez, Knocked Up Abroad Again, and Once Upon an Expat. She is also the co-host of the book podcast, Two Lit Mamas.
Connect with Margaret:
- Instagram @ margaret_ozemet
- Facebook @ Margaret Özemet
- Website @ margaretozemet.com
- LinkedIn @ Margaret Özemet
Margaret co-hosts Two Lit Mamas, a podcast for children’s book enthusiasts, including parents, teachers, and writers. You can learn more on the website, Instagram, or Facebook.
Experience the Podcast: Listeners can watch the full interview or read the essay.
Follow Her Own Words on:
- Instagram @ Herownwords.podcast
- LinkedIn @ Her Own Words
- Website: https://herownwords.club/
- Do you have a story? Share a personal essay here
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Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
- Show Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/clear-sky // License code: IUN6XTDNDDJVLFCJ
- Essay Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/studiokolomna/miracles // License code: CZXQMJIJCL6ZTILU
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