Mapping the Emotional Side of Expat Life

Help shape upcoming content on the emotional side of expat life. This short survey takes about 3 minutes. There are no right or wrong answers – just your experience. All responses will be treated as strictly confidential and will only be viewed in aggregate for the purpose of shaping future content.

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1.How would you describe your emotional experience of living abroad right now?*

Mostly positive, with some ups and downs

Up and down in equal measure

Mostly challenging, but I’m managing

Overwhelming and hard to cope with

I’m not sure / it changes all the time

2.On a scale of 1–5, how emotionally supported do you currently feel in your expat life?*

1 = Not supported at all

5 = Very well supported

3.How often do you think about moving “back home” or somewhere else because of emotional or mental strain?*

Almost never

Sometimes, when things are hard

Quite often

Almost all the time

I’m actively planning to move because of this

4.Which of these emotional/mental challenges feel most familiar to you right now? (Choose up to 3)*

Loneliness / feeling isolated

Missing family and friends back home

Anxiety or constant worry

Low mood / lack of motivation

Feeling like I don’t belong anywhere

Stress from bureaucracy, housing, money, or work

Guilt about how this move affects partner/kids/parents

I don’t really relate to these

5.When you think about your day‑to‑day life abroad, what drains you the most emotionally? (Choose up to 2)*

Language barriers and communication

Navigating systems (healthcare, schools, admin, tax, etc.)

Work or business pressures

Parenting or co‑parenting in a new culture

Relationship strain with partner or family

Not having “my people” or a close community

Feeling behind in life or career

Something else

6.On a scale of 1-5, how lonely do you feel in your current location, on average? *

1 = Not lonely at all

5 = Extremely lonely

7.How much has moving abroad affected your sense of identity (who you are)?*

Very little

Some – I notice changes but it’s okay

A lot – I feel different and unsure who I am now

Completely – I hardly recognise myself

I’m not sure

8.What types of topics would you most like to see covered with an expat psychologist? (Choose up to 3)*

“Is this normal adjustment or something more serious?”

Practical tools for managing anxiety or low mood

How to build real friendships and community

Dealing with guilt (toward family back home, kids, or partner)

Handling culture shock and “reverse” culture shock

Identity questions (who am I now, where do I belong?)

Burnout and overwhelm from constant change

How and when to seek professional help

9.How do you prefer to consume emotional/mental health content?*

Short, practical articles or checklists

Personal stories + expert commentary

Q&A / “Ask the psychologist” style

Audio (podcast‑style, voice notes)

Live sessions or recordings (webinars, chats, IG Lives)

I’m not sure / it depends

10.If you could ask an expat psychologist one question anonymously, what would it be?

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11.Is there anything else you’d love us to talk about around expat emotions, identity, relationships, or parenting that doesn’t get discussed enough?

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