Saehee Chang

In this insightful episode, Doreen Cumberford is joined by Saehee Chang, an intercultural trainer, engagement specialist, and founder of Korea Connect. Together, they explore the journey of navigating life across cultures as a Third Culture Kid (TCK), the challenges of repatriation, balancing success and happiness abroad, and the quest for belonging.

Key Topics Covered

• Growing Up Global:
  Saehee shares her nomadic background across Korea, Vietnam, Kenya, the US, and Germany, and reflects on how these transitions shaped her curiosity and resilience as a TCK 00:01:16.
• Identity & Belonging:
  The discussion delves into the complexities of identity, feeling "different" even upon returning "home," and the continual process of self-discovery in international settings 00:08:11.
• The Challenge of Repatriation:
  Saehee discusses the emotional impact and unexpected difficulties of moving back to Korea and later to Germany as an adult, underlining the importance of patience and self-kindness 00:13:24, 00:43:01.
• Success vs. Happiness Abroad:
  Doreen Cumberford and Saehee explore the expat paradox—how outward success doesn’t always equate to inner happiness— and the essential role of mental, emotional, and professional balance 00:20:41.
• Strategies for Challenging Transitions:
  Saehee openly recounts her struggles with depression during the adjustment to Germany and the pivotal role of therapy, volunteering, and building community in regaining equilibrium 00:26:31.
• Professional Reinvention:
  The journey of reestablishing Korea Connect in Germany highlights perseverance, utilizing core skills, and finding the right niche across new cultural landscapes 00:32:02.
• Looking Ahead: Going “Home” Again:
  Saehee shares her evolving plans to return to the US to be closer to her aging parents, emphasizing the need for pre-planning and flexibility in future transitions 00:36:26.
• Advice for Expats & Global Nomads:
  Preparation, trusting the process, and practicing self-compassion emerge as top recommendations for anyone facing the challenges of life transitions abroad 00:43:01.

Notable Quotes

• “You have to be very patient and kind to yourself…give it time. Let the process work, and it does work out.” 
• “The grass is not always greener on the other side. That really is a huge lesson that I had to eventually learn and realize.” 
• “Find your tribe, find your people, find your community that makes you feel like you can be who you are and seek those communities out.” 

Episode Takeaways

• Curiosity and Openness: Essential tools for adapting and making authentic connections across cultures.
• Balance: Success abroad doesn’t guarantee happiness – pursue holistic well-being.
• Support Matters: Therapy, volunteering, and community all make a difference in challenging adaptations.
• Preparation & Patience: Plan as much as you can, trust the unfolding journey, and be gentle with yourself during every transition.
• Home Is Fluid: For many, home is defined by belonging, comfort, and identity—not just geography.

We would love to hear from you, send us a text please!

Support the show

You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.