Hello everyone, and welcome back to Mr. English Channel — where learning English
is easy and fun! I’m Emily!
Hello, Emily! And hello to all our listeners! I am so happy to be here today. The sun is
shining, and I am ready for a great chat!
Me too, Paul! I have a very big topic today. It is something many of our listeners
dream about. We are going to talk about living in another country!
Oh, wow! That is a big topic, Emily. It is exciting, but it can also be a little bit scary,
right?
Yes, exactly! It is a big adventure. There are so many new things to see, new foods to
eat, and of course, a new language to speak.
Hmm, yes. Speaking the language is the most important part. But it is also the part that
makes people nervous. I remember when I traveled to a new place. I was so worried about
my English!
That is very normal, Paul. Everyone feels that way at first. But today, we want to show
that living in another country can be a wonderful experience.
I agree! And I am curious… do you have any special stories about this? Or maybe a
secret to share?
Ah! I’m glad you asked, Paul. Actually, I have a very useful trick. It is a small secret
that helped me feel at home very quickly when I lived abroad.
Really? A secret to feel at home? I want to know!
I will tell you, but not yet! I will share this special tip at the end of our episode. So, everyone, please stay with us to hear it!
Okay, okay! I will wait. You are good at keeping secrets, Emily. So, where do we start?
Maybe with the beginning? Packing the bags?
Yes! Let’s talk about that. When you decide to live in another country, you have to
pack your life into a suitcase. That is hard!
Oh, it is very hard! What do you take? What do you leave behind? I always want to
take my whole house with me!
Me too! But you can’t. You have to choose the most important things. Maybe
some photos of your family, your favorite book, and comfortable clothes.
Hmm, and maybe some food from home? I remember my friend moved to Italy. He
took a big bag of his favorite tea from home!
That is a great idea! Small things from home make a new room feel like a real home. It
helps when you feel a little bit sad or lonely.
Yes, that feeling… what is the word? Homesick?
Exactly! Homesick. It is when you miss your home, your family, and your old life. It
happens to everyone.
I think it is okay to feel homesick. It shows that you love your home. But you also have
to look forward to the new things, right?
Yes! Like the first day in a new city. Everything is new! The streets, the buildings, the
smells… it is like being a child again.
Wow, yes! I remember the first time I went to a supermarket in a different country. I
spent one hour just looking at the cereal boxes! One hour? Why, Paul?
Because everything was different! The milk was in a different bottle. The bread looked
different. I didn’t know which one to buy!
That is a classic story. Even small things like buying bread can be an adventure. But it
is also how you learn. You see the word for «milk» or «bread» in real life.
Yes! And you have to talk to the cashier. You say «hello» and «thank you.» It is real
practice!
Exactly. And people are usually very kind. If you look a little bit lost, sometimes they
try to help you.
That’s true. I remember I couldn’t find the eggs. I asked a woman, «Excuse me, where are the… um… chicken circles?»
Chicken circles! Oh, Paul! That is so funny! Did she understand you?
She laughed a little bit, but then she made a shape like an egg with her hands. She
said, «Eggs?» and I said, «Yes! Eggs!»
See? That is perfect. You used your words and your hands. Communication is not just
about perfect grammar. It is about being understood.
Yes, exactly! I felt so proud when I walked home with my eggs. I felt like a local person!
Good job, Paul! That is a small victory. And living in another country is full of those
small victories.

What about the house, Emily? Finding an apartment in a new country sounds difficult.
It can be. You have to look at many places. You have to talk to the landlord. You have
to sign a contract.
«Landlord»… that is the person who owns the house, right?
Yes, exactly. You pay the rent to the landlord every month. It is important to ask
questions. «Is the water hot?», «Is it quiet at night?»
Hmm, those are good questions. I like a quiet house. I don’t like loud music when I am
sleeping!
Me neither! And it is good to meet the neighbors too. A friendly neighbor can help you
with many things.
Like if you lose your keys? Or if you need some sugar?
Yes! Or they can tell you the best places to eat or the best park for a walk.
Oh, I love that. Making friends with neighbors makes the neighborhood feel safe and
friendly.
It really does. But sometimes, it is hard to make the first move. You have to be brave
and say «hello.»
Being brave is a big part of living abroad. You are brave every time you leave your
house!
That is so true, Paul. You are constantly learning and growing. It’s like a workout for
your brain!
My brain must be very strong then! It feels tired sometimes after a long day of speaking English.
That is very normal. We call that «language fatigue.» It’s when your brain is tired from
translating everything.
Ah, «fatigue.» That is a good word. It means very, very tired, right?
Yes. When I lived in France, I wanted to sleep for ten hours every night because my
brain was working so hard all day!
Wow! I understand that feeling. But it gets easier, doesn’t it?
Oh, yes! One day, you wake up and you realize you are not translating in your head
anymore. You just… understand.
That sounds like a dream! I want to have that moment.
You will, Paul! It just takes time and practice. Like our listeners! They are practicing
right now by listening to us.

‘JOURNEY’! I love that word. It sounds like a big trip with many stories.
It is! And living in another country is a journey for the heart and the mind.
Hmm, I was thinking about food again. Food is a big part of the journey!
You are always thinking about food, Paul! But you are right. Every country
has its own flavors.
Yes! Sometimes you find a new favorite food. But sometimes… you really want your
mom’s cooking.
Oh, I know. I remember I tried to cook my favorite soup from home. But the vegetables
were different. The taste was not the same!
That is sad. Did you cry?
A little bit! But then I invited a new friend to try it. She loved it! She said, «This
is so interesting and delicious!»
Ah! So a «mistake» became a nice dinner with a friend. That is a great story.
Yes. It taught me that it’s okay if things are not «perfect.» The new version can be good
too.
I think that is a lesson for life, not just for soup!
You are very wise today, Paul!
Thank you, Emily. I try my best. So, what about work? Many people move to
another country for a job.
Yes. Working in another country is a big challenge. The office culture can be very
different.
Different how? Like the time people start work?
Yes, or how they talk to the boss. In some countries, it is very formal. In other
countries, it is very relaxed.
Hmm. I like a relaxed office. I like to wear my sneakers and drink my tea!
Well, you have to watch and learn. See what other people do. It’s like being a
detective!
A detective at work! I like that. «Where is the coffee machine? Who is the funny person
in the office?»
Exactly! And asking for help at work is very important. You can say, «I’m new here.
Can you show me how to use the printer?»
That is a good sentence. It is simple and polite.
People like to help. It makes them feel good. And it is a great way to start a
conversation.
So, you make friends at the supermarket, in your neighborhood, and at work. Suddenly,
you have a new life!
Yes! And you start to have favorite places. A favorite park, a favorite bookstore, a
favorite cafe…
Oh! That reminds me! You mentioned a secret earlier. A secret about feeling at home?
I did! Are you ready for it now?
I am very ready! My ears are open!
Okay. My secret is called the «Local Cafe Trick.»
The «Local Cafe Trick»? What is that?
When you move to a new place, find a small cafe near your house. Go there every
day at the same time.
Every day? Even if I’m busy?
Yes! Just for fifteen minutes. Buy a coffee or a tea. Sit in the same spot if you can.
Hmm… why?
Because after three or four days, the person working there will recognize you. They
will say, «The usual?» or «Hello again!»
Oh! I see! You are not a stranger anymore. You are a «regular.»
Exactly! Being a «regular» makes you feel like you belong to the neighborhood. It is a
very warm feeling.
Wow, Emily. That is a very simple but very powerful idea. You start to feel like you have
a «place» in the new city.
Yes. And then, maybe you start to recognize other people who go there at the same
time. You smile, you say «good morning.»
It builds a small community. I love that. It makes the big city feel small and friendly.
It really worked for me. It took away that «lonely» feeling very quickly.
I am going to use that trick next time I travel! Even for a short trip.
It works for vacations too! It’s all about connection, Paul.
Connection… yes. That is why we learn English, right? To connect with the world.
Perfectly said! Whether you live in your home town or on the other side of the world,
we all want to connect and share stories.
This was a very inspiring chat, Emily. I feel like I want to pack my bags and go on an
adventure right now!
Me too! But we have more podcasts to record first!
True, true. Our adventure is here, talking to our friends online.
Yes, and we are so happy to have you all on this journey with us.
We truly are. Living abroad is a big dream, and we hope this conversation makes it feel
a little more possible for you.
Remember, start small. One «hello» at a time. One «chicken circle» at a time, Paul!
I will never live that down! But it’s okay. Mistakes are just funny stories for
later.
Exactly! And they make you a more interesting person.
Well, Emily, I think it is time to say goodbye for today.
It is. Time flies when we are having fun!
It really does. Thank you everyone for listening to our stories and practicing your
English with us.
Yes, thank you! Before you go, we want to hear from you.
Yes! Please leave a comment for us. Tell us… if you could live in any country in the
world, which one would you choose?
Oh, I want to see those answers! Would it be a sunny place? A cold place? A place
with great food?
Tell us why too! We love reading your reasons.
And don’t forget to like the video and subscribe to Mr. English Channel. It helps us
stay together and keep learning.
Share this episode with your family and friends too! Let’s grow our English-learning
family.
Thank you all so much. We will see you in the next episode!
Until next time! Keep practicing and stay brave!
Bye for now!
Bye-bye!