EPISODE 2: Field Realities: 15 Things You Should Know About Living Overseas (Before You Go)

Thinking about moving overseas someday? Or maybe you're supporting friends who are considering it? In this episode, I'm sharing 15 real expectations vs. reality insights from a decade of living overseas and watching dozens of people make the move. From the importance of choosing the right team to why it gets harder before it gets easier, these are the things I wish someone had told me before I moved to India with my family. Whether you're going next year or just dreaming about it, this episode will help you prepare for the realities of cross-cultural life—the good, the hard, and the transformative.

In This Episode:

**The 15 Field Realities:**

1. Join a team with similar vision—not just any team (Peter, Daniel, James, Paul teams)
2. Find a team with kids your kids' age—life is so much better together (the basketball vs. track team analogy)
3. Everyone in the family should do full-time language learning as early as possible
4. Go as slow as you need to go, in order to go fast later
5. It will get harder before it gets easier—push through that first year (the culture shock curve)
6. Just living overseas takes a long time at first (the story of learning to buy and cook food)
7. Your time with Jesus will get sucked dry—and if it does, you'll flounder (abide in me, apart from me you can do nothing)
8. It's physically exhausting to live cross-culturally
9. Know the good news here, so you can share it there
10. Strong relationships mean deep friendships for daily living AND deep grieving when it's time for goodbyes
11. This probably isn't the only place you'll be—dream about where you'll go next
12. Know who you are in Christ, and be who you are, or you'll lose who you are
13. Get some grit—the depth of daily suffering requires daily surrender (Grit Week)
14. Recognize that the enemy will use the same tactics, weaknesses, and lies he's used before in your life
15. The reality of knowing and experiencing MORE—you will be different from everyone else back home, forever (the Matrix blue pill)

Key Concepts Discussed:

• Peter/Paul and James/Daniel ways to approaching global work
• Basketball verses Track teams
• The honeymoon stage, culture shock, adjustment, and thriving curve
• Why two hours a day with Jesus matters
• Team prayer and accountability
• The burying the chicken story (mundane daily realities)
• Third culture kids and the gift and grief of goodbyes
• Why you need to ask: "Where are the cracks in my armor?"
• Taking the blue pill—seeing how far down the rabbit hole goes

Resources Mentioned:

✅ Book: Across the Street and Around the World: Following Jesus to the Nations in Your Neighborhood and Beyond

Get the full story and practical steps for reaching the nations—whether you're going or staying

👉 www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/book 

👉 Available on Amazon

✅ Neighbors & Nations Course:

The comprehensive 6-module, 60+ lesson course to help you make disciples cross-culturally with ease, empathy, and confidence—perfect for preparing to go OR reaching the nations where you live

👉 www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/nncourse 

I Want to Hear From You!

Which of the 15 field realities resonated with you most?

Maybe it's #7 about time with Jesus getting sucked dry, or #15 about being forever changed, or #4 about going slow to go fast, or #13 about getting grit. 

DM me on Instagram **@jeanniemmarie** and tell me which one hit home for you and why. I read every message and would love to hear your story!

Connect with Jeannie Marie:

🌐 Website: www.jeanniemarieacademy.com 

📱 Instagram: @jeanniemmarie (DM me which of the 15 resonated most!) 

📖 Take the Global Goer Quiz: www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/quiz 

What's Next:

Next week: Episode 3 - When Your Lead Pastor Doesn't Really Get It

Leave a Review:

If this episode helped you see what cross-cultural life really looks like, would you leave a review on Apple Podcasts? It helps others who are considering the journey find this show!

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**Remember: The world is bigger than your zip code. Let's go!**