#21. Is the Dream of Starting Over in the U.S. Dead? One Expat Woman's Honest Take

Have you ever wondered if the dream of starting fresh in the U.S. is really worth it?

For many expat and immigrant women, the journey to start over in the U.S. begins with hope but often runs headfirst into uncertainty, emotional exhaustion and now shifting policies. 

In this heartfelt episode, Yolanda Reshemah opens up about what the dream really costs—and why so many still choose to keep chasing it.

In this episode you will discover an honest, compassionate reflection on what it really feels like to start over in a new country under challenging circumstances. Learn why emotional resilience is often the key to feeling secure.

Listen now to hear a real, encouraging perspective son what it means to pursue a life you believe in—even when the path feels uncertain. 

To share your own migration story or  share your feedback, email  [e-mail] 

This compelling podcast dives into Expat and immigrant women (and men) stories. Those who immigrate to the USA, tackling the struggles of homesickness, identity crisis, and culture shock in the USA while adjusting to expat life and navigating cultural differences. Through conversations on starting over, reinventing yourself, and finding purpose, it highlights success stories of women's tenacity, and the resilience of expats in the USA. It offers insights into bicultural identity, language barriers, and the challenges of living overseas. The podcast emphasizes the importance of a strong support system and wellbeing for women in pursuit of the American dream.

https://www.instagram.com/theplaces_wecallhome

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
we're exploring the emotionalcourage it takes to stay and

(00:04):
build in the USA.
Welcome to starting over in theUSA, the Expat Woman's Guide to
overcoming homesickness,embracing cultural differences,
and creating a new home awayfrom home.
On this podcast, we talk aboutleaving behind the familiar, you
know, the pangs of homesicknessand culture shock to the

(00:26):
journeys of reinventingyourself.
I'm Yolanda Reshemah.
And after relocating six times,I know firsthand what it's like
to start from scratch, feelinglike both a foreign child and a
foreign adult in a new world.
In this episode, we are talkingabout something that sits

(00:47):
heavily on so many of ourhearts, us, US expat immigrant
women.
It's the, it's the policies andthe uncertainty of building our
life in a country where therules often seem to shift under
our feet.
Whether you are exploring whatit would take to move right now

(01:10):
or if you've already arrived inthe US and you've been here for
a while, there is this constantquestion hanging over so many of
us.
Am I safe here?
Will my visa or citizenshipapplication go through?
And what happens if policieschange?
Again, if you've been refreshingimmigration updates more than

(01:32):
you've been sleeping, trust me,I see you.
You are not alone.
Maybe you are trying to adjustyour immigration status, or
maybe you are holding yourbreath, hoping your work visa
won't be delayed or canceled.
Maybe your qualifications anddreams don't match the forms

(01:53):
you've been asked to fill out,and maybe just maybe, you've
started wondering if the veryact of building a life here in
the US is even possible.
When I speak to immigrant andexpat women like you, I see the
same fierce determination behindevery scanned document, behind

(02:16):
every plan to see how secure weare.
I see the same determination inevery appointment made to figure
out if we are okay, everyunknown.
You are not just survivingbureaucracy.
I.
You are choosing to believe in afuture that is still taking

(02:37):
shape.
You might be the person thatI've spoken to whose dreams are
just beginning to to blossom.
Your paperwork is stamped andeverything is in order, but the
unknown dominates your thought.
I've relocated more than once,and while my circumstances may
not match yours exactly, I knowthe ache of starting over.

(03:01):
I've seen the strength it takesto dig so very deep and remain
hopeful because of the visionyou've built in your mind.
My mom tells me stories of herfirst move abroad as a young
woman on her own, and beingexpected to move to the back of
the bus.
That first exploration abroaddidn't suit her, though She went

(03:24):
back home, recouped and triedagain.
Her second move abroad broughtstories of walking to work in
snow inches deep without theright shoes on.
Toes frozen at six 30 in themorning, she walked miles each

(03:46):
way every day.
One foot in front of the other.
So I understand the strength ittakes to dig so very deep to
keep going, especially when youdon't have a safety net and you
are still new to everything.

But here's what I've learned: uncertainty isn't the opposite (04:07):
undefined
of progress.
Sometimes it's the condition forit.
I think I got that from my mom.
But let me say that again foryou.
Uncertainty isn't failure, it'sa space where you might find new

(04:32):
opportunities and newpossibilities.
It's, it's a space where you getto build a new road ahead.
It's a place of choices.
It's where your next chapterbegins, and it doesn't matter
where you are or where you planto land soon.

(04:54):
That could be South America,Asia, Africa, the USA or the
eastern end of Europe.
Anywhere where policy shift andheadlines are swirling, just
remember that your worth doesn'texpire with your visa.
Like my mom, Eva Arabella, yourdreams are valid and worth every

(05:17):
ounce of courage that you have.
Every step that you dare to makeyou, my expat immigrant friend,
are just as extraordinary andfragile, yet strong at the same
time as my mom had to be.

(05:38):
She is whom I'm thinking ofright now, and like her, you are
a human being in pursuit ofadventure or on a mission or
making that relationship dreamcome true.
You are pursuing a life that youbelieve in.

(06:00):
Ah, that's all from me todayThat's what's on my heart.
but Stay with me and downloadepisode 20, are you shrinking
your cultural identity to fit inand what you can do instead?
Because We are not just going totalk about surviving the

(06:21):
challenge that immigratingreally is.
I want for you and I to talkabout rising through it.
I'm going to have some gingertea and some scones.
However you choose to spend ofyour day, please enjoy it.
I'll see you in the nextepisode.

(06:44):
Bye-bye.