Like Podcasts?
I do. I’ve been recently getting into them, as a way to keep my English polished (it can collect dust in a foreign country!) and to keep learning. I stumbled across Expat Sandwich, a show about Americans’ experience abroad, the good the bad and the ugly. I was swept away, listening to a young woman who owns a farm in Ecuador, a lawyer in Russia, and a blogger in Germany.
Naturally, as a young professional in China, I wanted to take part.
"And the award for coolest web art goes to..." Image Credit: Marty Walker, All rights reserved.
I emailed Marty Walker, former Art Gallery owner in Texas and now Podcast creator. Her own take on life abroad is: "Travel abroad is kind of like an out of body experience--it allows you to return to your native land with fresh eyes. I'm obsessed with the cultural collisions that happen when faced with a new environment and a shaky grasp of language. It's uniquely humbling."
She (miraculously- hee!) replied to my email, and we scheduled a time that worked for both of us (there's a meager 14 hour time difference between Texas and Shanghai!)
Grandpa Leonard in Valdosta Georgia...
... and me in Shanghai, making an Earth Sandwich. I have a cool Grandpa.
Despite the fact that I give presentations and meet Chinese government officials on a regular basis... I was nervous. What if I don't portray China accurately? What if I don't know the answers to any of her questions?
But, right on time, Marty called. After working through technical difficulties (#Chinaprobs), we fell into a rhythm. I found myself almost gushing in response to her questions, and we moved naturally through a host of topics. You can listen to the episode, complete with show notes, HERE.
Expat Sandwich is available on iTunes and Google Play. Or, you can sign up for the email newsletter, so you’ll know when each new episode is released. Also on the website are infinite resources regarding living abroad, from language learning, books for expats, passports and visas, embassies and consulates, and more.
I had so much fun recording with Marty, I've launched my own podcast: Where's The Rice? is a non-educational, non-political podcast with co-host (and polar-opposite) Ben Pierce, as we figure out how to live in Shanghai. It's story-based, and you can listen on iTunes or Podbean!