December 31, 2018

How Will You Make 2019 Your Best Year Yet?

littlelivesbig@gmail.com Europe, Living Abroad, New Beginnings, North America, Travel, USA 2018, 2019, america, amsterdam, best year yet, calendar, chase your dreams, christmas, disney world, dreams, dutch, europe, female travel blog, goal setting, goals, happy new year, hollywood, january 1, metoo, millennials, netherlands, new year, new year's day, old year, plans, politics, reflecting, scandals, travel blog, traveling, travels, usa 0 Comments

New Year’s Eve is here and I, like many of you, have been reflecting on the incredible year we’re about to say goodbye to: 2018.

Last year, I wrote a piece called Looking Ahead to 2018: Where Will You Travel? So, I thought I’d write a similar one this year– a sequel, if you will- documenting future plans while simultaneously looking back on the wonderful memories made this year.

2018: It was a year of Hollywood scandals and nationwide movements such as #MeToo and March for Our Lives. In the USA, an unprecedented amount of female and minority candidates won coveted government positions. People across the globe experienced crazy weather and natural disasters such as deadly wildfires, tornadoes, and earthquakes. Game of Thrones finally announced when it’s eighth and final season will be released; and that’s one of the many things we have to look forward to in the upcoming year!

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November 10, 2018

18 American Things I Miss Most

littlelivesbig@gmail.com Europe, Living Abroad, North America, USA america, american, american conveniences, amsterdam, differences, dutch, english, europe, expat, expatriates, expats, female blogger, home, homesick, homesickness, living abroad, missing home, netflix, netherlands, new beginnings, new home, new life, target, travel, usa, walmart 8 Comments

I have been living in the Netherlands for almost 3 months now and I feel pretty settled in at this point. I’ve been teaching here for 11 weeks and finally moved into my own studio in Amsterdam. I have made some new friends, am an expert at navigating the city/country via public transportation, and have learned a little bit of Dutch. Recently, though, I’ve been thinking about the things I miss from home. Of course I miss my family and friends and colleagues, but besides the people, I miss many other American conveniences. I figured I’d compile a list of them for you. And for those of you living in the states: the next time you use/see/have one of the beloved luxuries below, feel grateful… because although they may seem simple or “part of every day life”, they’re not everywhere! (more…)

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August 12, 2018

A Female’s To-Do List Before Moving Abroad

littlelivesbig@gmail.com Living Abroad, New Beginnings, Travel big change, big move, blogger, expat, expatriate, female blogger, life change, living abroad, moving, moving abroad, passport, transatlantic move, travel, travel blogger, traveling, visa, working abroad, working permit 9 Comments

If you know me personally, or simply subscribe to my blog, you know by now that I am leaving my home, job, and family in the United States to live and work in the Netherlands. Tomorrow, I will be leaving the USA to live in Europe for a year while I work to establish and grow a brand new international school in a posh little town outside of Amsterdam.

I have been receiving an outpouring of love, support, and congratulations, which I so truly appreciate. Moving to a new place, especially in a new continent, sounds exciting and intriguing to most. But there is a lot of things one must do before taking the plunge. A LOT. So I thought it’d be a good idea to make a list of the many little things a woman must do before moving abroad- in my case, solo. (more…)

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June 12, 2018

10 Tips to Land a Teaching Job Abroad

littlelivesbig@gmail.com Europe, Living Abroad, New Beginnings, Teaching, Travel abroad, application, career, cv, education, europe, expat, free, getting a gig, ib, international, international teaching, jobs, landing a job, living abroad, moving, moving abroad, netherlands, resume, schools, teacher, teaching, tips, travel 8 Comments

In early August, I am moving to the Netherlands where I will be teaching in an international school.

Many people have been asking me, “How did you get this job?”

The other day, I wrote a blog post announcing my new job and big move. I briefly described how I made the life-changing decision to accept the offer, and outlined my next steps as I prepare to move from the USA to Europe. It makes sense that after reading all of that, people have questions. How? Why? What? When? Where? How long? (more…)

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June 9, 2018

International Teaching: I’M MOVING TO EUROPE!

littlelivesbig@gmail.com Europe, Living Abroad, My Story, New Beginnings, Teaching, Travel 12 Comments

In February 2018, I began applying for teaching positions at international schools in Europe.

I went through three months of early-morning Skype interviews.

I turned down an attractive offer to teach in a small town in Sweden- I was holding out for a job in the Netherlands or Germany, even though I knew I had a slim to none chance of obtaining one.

On May 12th, 2018, I received my Master of Education from Lamar University and began applying to local positions in Maryland where I could put my new degree to use, since teaching in Europe was obviously not going to happen.

On May 25th, 2018 I was offered a primary teaching position at a brand new international school in the Netherlands, 30 minutes outside of Amsterdam!

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