In this episode, Zafar shares his passion for food and travel, exploring the deep connections between culinary traditions and cultural heritage in India, Africa and other places he has traveled to.

Zafar also reflects on his journey as an accidental cook and the rise of culinary tourism.

Don't forget to click and subscribe for more cultural insights from different parts of the world.

Navigate Across Borders is a podcast where you hear about the real-life stories of ambitious professionals and expats from different countries. Whether they’re working with international teams or living with someone from a different culture, they will explain how they build cross-cultural connections.

Who am?

I’m Dorothée Chareyron, a French expat & global educator who has lived and worked in Asia since 2004. I’m now based in Bangalore, India.

This podcast is on all major podcast platforms & YouTube. Access here:

https://lnk.bio/navigate_across_borders

https://linktr.ee/navigateacrossborders

Like the show? Support it here!

If you want to know more about the blogs Zafar writes about his food experiences and adventures, you can find them here:

A bowl of sugar

The Traveller, The Recipe Collector, and the Chef on Substack

The 2 books Zafar is referring to are:

Coorg The cookbook by Kaveri Ponnapa

Chutney - by Rushina Munshaw-Ghildiyal

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For this episode I virtually sat down with Lizzie, an American educator who traded the quiet beaches of Cape Cod for the vibrant, high-energy city of Bangalore in the south of India. With an Irish-Lebanese heritage Lizzie joins me to discuss the reality of teaching abroad and the unexpected turns of a cross-cultural marriage with an Indian man.

From the 'entrepreneurial hustle' of India’s Silicon Valley to the secret of a perfect Irish-Lebanese home, we’re exploring what it really means to be a global citizen.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction

02:55
Cultural Background and Multicultural Influences

06:00
Experiences in Teaching and Living Abroad

08:58
Cultural Differences and Food Experiences

11:59
Life in Bangalore vs. Other Places

14:55
Personal Life and Cultural Integration

17:52
Understanding Indian Culture Through Relationships

20:54
Conclusion

Navigate Across Borders is a podcast where you hear about the real-life stories of ambitious professionals and expats from different countries. Whether they’re working with international teams or living with someone from a different culture, they will explain how they build cross-cultural connections.

Who am?

I’m Dorothée Chareyron, a French expat & global educator who has lived and worked in Asia since 2004. I’m now based in Bangalore, India.

This podcast is on all major podcast platforms & YouTube. Access here:

https://lnk.bio/navigate_across_borders

https://linktr.ee/navigateacrossborders

Support the show

In this conversation, my guest Dan Kriske shares his journey from the Midwest of the U.S. to living in India, discussing cultural differences he has encountered along the way. He reflects on his experiences in South Korea, the nuances of communication in different cultures, and the dynamics of relationships and family life with his Indian family.

We also talk about how food and language can shape cultural identity, and how these elements influence his life with his Indian wife and their child.

Navigate Across Borders is a podcast where you hear about the real-life stories of ambitious professionals and expats from different countries. Whether they’re working with international teams or living with someone from a different culture, they will explain how they build cross-cultural connections.

Who am?

I’m Dorothée Chareyron, a French expat & global educator who has lived and worked in Asia since 2004. I’m now based in Bangalore, India.

This podcast is on all major podcast platforms & YouTube. Access here:

https://lnk.bio/navigate_across_borders

https://linktr.ee/navigateacrossborders

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dan's Journey

03:04 Cultural Insights from the Midwest

05:56 Experiences in South Korea

08:49 Transition to Life in India

11:49 Navigating Language and Communication

14:51 Cultural Differences in Relationships

17:45 Family Dynamics

20:41 Food and Eating Customs

23:31 Language Learning and Cultural Adaptation

26:41 Conclusion and Future Perspectives

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This week I share my conversation with Nida Sheriff. Born Indian, she studied in the UK, then in Dubai where she started to work there. She explains the challenges she faced upon returning to India even though she is originally from this country.

We discuss cultural differences at work when we communicate with people from different places and some cultural shocks she faced. Finally, we talk about the impact of languages on personal identity.

If you work across cultures or are simply curious about different cultures this podcast is for you.

You can find this podcast on all major platforms and YouTube. Don't forget to subscribe for more cultural insights from different parts of the world.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:46 Cultural Reflections on Growing Up in Dubai

04:21 Identity and Cultural Awareness

06:46 Food Adventures and Culinary Discoveries

09:13 Cultural Shock: Returning to India

11:53 Work Experiences and Cultural Differences

12:13 Feedback Styles Across Cultures

13:40 Perceptions of Time in Different Cultures

15:57 Hierarchy and Class Systems in Indian Society

18:28 Language and Cultural Identity

Navigate Across Borders is a podcast where you hear about the real-life stories of ambitious professionals and expats from different countries. Whether they’re working with international teams or living with someone from a different culture, they will explain how they build cross-cultural connections.

Who am?

I’m Dorothée Chareyron, a French expat & global educator who has lived and worked in Asia since 2004. I’m now based in Bangalore, India.

This podcast is on all major podcast platforms & YouTube. Access here:

https://lnk.bio/navigate_across_borders

https://linktr.ee/navigateacrossborders

Support the show

In this episode, I chat with Rachel Eels, an international teacher from the US who’s lived and worked across Germany, Lebanon, Congo, India, and the U.S. She shares how she’s picked up cultural habits across the countries she’s lived in, experienced cultural misunderstandings, and learned what it really takes to adapt in different cultures.

Rachel also talks about how clothing, hierarchy, greetings, and even giving directions can mean totally different things depending on where you are. We will discover how Rachel has learned to read between the lines, ask better questions, and stay curious.

If you work across cultures or are simply curious about different cultures this podcast is for you.

You can find this podcast on all major platforms and YouTube. Don't forget to subscribe for more cultural insights from different parts of the world.

Chapters

00:00
Cultural Journeys: An Introduction to Rachel Eels

02:58
Adapting to New Cultures: Clothing and Traditions

06:11
Understanding Regional Differences: Work and Dress Codes

08:55
Navigating Communication Styles Across Cultures

11:58
Cultural Nuances: Conflict Resolution and Social Interactions

14:45
The Importance of Personal Connections in Different Cultures

17:57
Mistakes and Learning: Cultural Faux Pas

21:00
The Role of Formality in Communication and Dress

24:00
Conclusion: Embracing Cultural Awareness

Navigate Across Borders is a podcast where you hear about the real-life stories of ambitious professionals and expats from different countries. Whether they’re working with international teams or living with someone from a different culture, they will explain how they build cross-cultural connections.

Who am?

I’m Dorothée Chareyron, a French expat & global educator who has lived and worked in Asia since 2004. I’m now based in Bangalore, India.

This podcast is on all major podcast platforms & YouTube. Access here:

https://lnk.bio/navigate_across_borders

https://linktr.ee/navigateacrossborders

Support the show

In this episode I chat with a colleague from Kenya Stella Wangu Washira. We discuss insights into her personal and cultural background.

Stella talks about how names are given in Kenya and the different tribes in this country.

She also reflects on common misconceptions about Africa.

We talk about the cultural diversity within Kenya and Africa.

We finish with practical advice for Westerners traveling to and wanting to work in Kenya or with Kenyans.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Stella from Kenya

00:28 Cultural Significance of Names

01:09 Family and Naming Traditions

01:36 Stella's Background and Profession

02:54 Music and Cultural Exchange

03:47 Adopting Cultural Habits

04:46 Travel and Reading

06:39 Misconceptions About Africa

08:42 Language and Religion in Kenya

15:00 Impact of Colonization on Culture

18:09 The Significance of Names and Cultural Identity

20:10 Language Barriers and Cultural Contexts

22:10 Navigating Kenyan Accents and Communication

28:32 Public Transport and Travel Tips in Kenya

29:59 Work Culture and Social Norms in Kenya

32:31 Respect and Cultural Sensitivity in Kenya

33:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Navigate Across Borders is a podcast where you hear about the real-life stories of ambitious professionals and expats from different countries. Whether they’re working with international teams or living with someone from a different culture, they will explain how they build cross-cultural connections.

Who am?

I’m Dorothée Chareyron, a French expat & global educator who has lived and worked in Asia since 2004. I’m now based in Bangalore, India.

This podcast is on all major podcast platforms & YouTube. Access here:

https://lnk.bio/navigate_across_borders

https://linktr.ee/navigateacrossborders

Support the show

In this episode, I talk with Kusshaal Polepally from Bangalore, southern India. He works for a big tech company and we connected via a common friend. His story is a fascinating one. We talk about how Kusshaal learnt to navigate and understand cultural differences when he worked in the hospitality business. He now collaborates with colleagues from everywhere. He also shares how learning French completely changed his perception of languages and cultures.

We also explore the cultural differences between India and France and some lost-in-translation moments.

Finally, Kusshaal shares great advice for anyone coming to India for work. Expect warmth, curiosity from the people you meet, and a culture where community always comes first.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:56 The Journey of Learning French

05:37 Cultural Discoveries Through Language

09:38 Exploring Indian Culture

12:21 Work Culture in India

14:07 Lost in Translation: Communication Challenges

21:12 Cultural Differences in Hospitality

22:38 Adapting to Global Communication Styles

25:44 Advice for Working with Indians

30:46 Conclusion and Reflections

Navigate Across Borders is a podcast where you hear about the real-life stories of ambitious professionals and expats from different countries. Whether they’re working with international teams or living with someone from a different culture, they will explain how they build cross-cultural connections.

Who am?

I’m Dorothée Chareyron, a French expat & global educator who has lived and worked in Asia since 2004. I’m now based in Bangalore, India.

This podcast is on all major podcast platforms & YouTube. Access here:

https://lnk.bio/navigate_across_borders

https://linktr.ee/navigateacrossborders

Support the show

In this episode I chat with Petra Nenning about life between Germany and India. Petra and I used to work together in Bangalore.

She shares her stories of fitting in with Indian traditions when she was living and working there.

We also talk about how speaking different languages changes who we are, and how living abroad helps you be aware of your own country’s culture.

Chapters

00:00

Cultural Habits and Traditions

06:04

Personal Cultural Insights

11:59

Cultural Differences and Stereotypes

17:54

Work Culture and Professional Expectations

22:54

Cultural Differences in Social Invitations

24:04

Communication Styles: WhatsApp vs. Email

25:36

Hierarchy and Directness in Professional Settings

27:27

Navigating Cross-Cultural Relationships

28:14

Time Management: German Precision vs. Italian Flexibility

31:07

Cultural Adaptation in Relationships

32:42

Language and Identity: Expressing Oneself in Different Languages

35:07

The Interplay of Language and Culture

37:48

Reflections on Living Abroad and Future Plans

Navigate Across Borders is a podcast where you hear about the real-life stories of ambitious professionals and expats from different countries. Whether they’re working with international teams or living with someone from a different culture, they will explain how they build cross-cultural connections.

Who am?

I’m Dorothée Chareyron, a French expat & global educator who has lived and worked in Asia since 2004. I’m now based in Bangalore, India.

This podcast is on all major podcast platforms & YouTube. Access here: https://lnk.bio/navigate_across_borders

https://linktr.ee/navigateacrossborders

Support the show