paper mache people

I wish I could just quit my job and travel the world. How many times has that thought crossed your mind, just to be waved off as a daydream? It did too, for Ying, until she made her dream come true. Ying is a Malaysian writer, ex-couch surfer and cruise lecturer, currently living in Hermsdorf, Germany with her husband and two kids. Her blog The Tiny Wanderer is an inspiration to dreamers who yearn...

Moving away from home is one of those defining moments that we would remember for the rest of our lives, but does moving a second time get easier? How about the third? In this episode, my co-host Yee Lin and I reflect on the emotional highs and lows of moving: what we dread, what we look forward to, and how the unsung heroes who support us and make each transition that bit easier. ----------------...

Is there a “right” way to do it? In this episode, we’re joined by Ayne Zarof — a Malaysian paediatrician, writer, and mother living in London — who has spent years navigating what it means to raise children away from home. Ayne is also the author of Malaysia in You , a children’s book created to help Malaysian children growing up around the world see themselves reflected in the stories they read —...

Finding a job is challenging enough. Doing it in another country can feel overwhelming. From crafting the perfect CV and preparing for interviews, to navigating foreign languages, work permits, and unfamiliar cultural expectations… Where do we even begin? In this episode, we unpack the ins and outs of finding a job overseas and share what we’ve learned along the way. ------------------------------...

A tropical sunshine girl finds herself in the gloomy Nordics, alone. In this part of the world, warmth and affection can be hard to come by. How does she cope with the loneliness of this vast, beautiful land? Do the Finns have a secret for finding joy despite the cold and darkness? Hint: we think it's the sauna! Our guest, Yeo Li-Fang is a SYS-LIFE fellow, co-funded by the European Union’s Hor...

It’s the time of year where we gather with our families again! We recollect memories of our favourite moments of Lunar New Year, and discuss the significance behind certain traditions. For those spending this time away from family, we share stories on how to create warmth and connection wherever you are. Link to song mentioned: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTiHZn7ESzD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_lin...

Studying abroad can change your life. It’s a big step to take at a young age. Wondering how it's like? Worried about the costs? What does one get out of college anyway? Yee Lin and Mi Xue share their experiences studying close to home and abroad. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sound effects by: Shiden Beats Music RR_Rhythm freesound_community McCrunchy

If you feel self-conscious about your appearance, you are not alone. We have all had phases where we are obsessed with how we look, though as we discover, our obsession with appearance isn’t constant; it shifts with time and where we live. Should we be concerned about how we look when visiting our neighborhood café? Should men wear makeup? Tune in to find out!

In some places, New Year’s countdown means packed bars and all-night parties. In Japan, the party’s at the shrine. For a city that never sleeps, New Year’s is surprisingly one of the calmest times of the year. Yee Lin shares the quirky rituals — and the silent killer hiding in a traditional New Year’s dish. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sound effects by: Shide...

Christmas is usually associated with coziness, family gatherings, and lots of gifts… unless you’re spending it solo in a cold country far from home. As the year comes to an end, Mi Xue reflects on the little tricks that carried her through tough times, plus a few proud highlights from her year.

We can probably all agree: of everything we miss from home, it’s the food that hits hardest. The world eats so differently — and while trying new things is exciting, not eating the way you’re used to every day is a whole different challenge. Will we adapt, or will we stubbornly keep our old ways? ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sound effects by: Shiden Beats Mus...

Some of us cross continents searching for belonging. Some hold on to it in the deepest jungles their ancestors called home. Join us for a fireside chat with Yi Ke, a freelance writer and photojournalist shining a light on the forgotten people: the indigenous tribes of Peninsular Malaysia. Follow her work on Instagram @photokepher_404 and blog Echoes from the Forest --------------------------------...

All we do is werk werk werk… so might as well choose to work where we can be happy, right? Money, autonomy, personal time, camaraderie, etc etc. Where can you have it all? Here’s a glimpse into what it was like working at both sides of the world - from the notoriously work-life balanced Europeans to the ritual-loving, secretly slacking Japanese?! (Moral of the story: no one is really working) ----...

Ever rehearse a line in your head for way too long, then decide silence is safer than social exile? Same. In this episode, we dive into the quirks of the foreign languages we’ve learned — and the hilarious fails that came with them. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sound effects by: Shiden Beats Music RR_Rhythm freesound_community McCrunchy

It hits you all at once: which neighborhood should I move into? Which bank should I use? What’s this piece of paper in the post and what happens if I ignore it?! ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sound effects by: Shiden Beats Music RR_Rhythm freesound_community McCrunchy

So you find yourself landed in a foreign place staring down the abyss of a new life. Exciting. In this first episode, we share what it was like right at the beginning of our lives away from home. From being robbed at first sight to staying sane in our tiny apartments, we remember it all just like yesterday. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sound effects by: Shide...

Starting a new life in a new place, or thinking about taking the leap? Struggling to fit in but don't want to lose the old(real) you? Maybe you've just hit podcast jackpot. First episode coming out next Friday, October 10! ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sound effects by: Shiden Beats Music RR_Rhythm freesound_community McCrunchy