A feeling of identity loss is common among supporting spouses who uproot themselves out of a career for a move abroad. Ally’s guest on this show, Amanda McNeice, is passionate about helping expats, particularly those in the supporting spouse role, navigate the waters of redefining their new identity now that they’ve packed up and and jumped on a plane. A Shanghai expat since 2010, Amanda shares some solid advice for how to thrive in China as a supporting spouse. Tune in to hear more of her mamapreneur story and be encouraged to take your own leaps of faith.

Optimism is a happiness magnet, so the more optimistic you can be about where you are and what you’re doing, you’ll be set for life.

Show Notes

How she got to China

Amanda and her husband came in 2006 as almost newlyweds and did the backpacking-English-teacher gig for a while. They realized quickly that coming as an international school teacher, with housing, insurance and all that jazz, was the better way to do it. They returned to Australia so he could earn his degree and get the required two years of teaching experience. They landed in Shanghai in 2010, this time with an 8-month old son in tow and haven’t looked back!

Memorable “This is China” moment

For Amanda, it’s more about the culmination of piles of small daily challenges that send her over the edge and into fits of tears. Add to that the mental overload of having to learn new things all the time and it’s easy to see how a smallest thing can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back and cause the occasional melt down. Tune into find out why she’s taken to coffee shops whenever she needs to ball her eyes out!

Greatest victories

Learning to navigate Taobao.com, getting her driving license, having a successful hypnobirth (in China!!). That experience, which she thought was impossible, gave her such a feeling of invincibility and gave her the impetus to launch her coaching company. Tune in to hear what it’s all about and how Amanda can come along side you and help get your business idea off the ground!

School situation

Her two-year-old attends a local Mandarin-only, Montessori kindergarten. The Montessori-style has brought order to their lives, Amanda says. There is a high teacher/student ratio which gives her daughter a lot of one-on-one attention which is awesome as well. Her four-year-old attends YCIS Puxi and Amanda loves that his Chinese and English are both focused on and improving. Additionally, you can’t beat the convenient location from their home.

Episode Links

• AmandaMcNeice.com (great free resource articles!)
• Taobao (online shopping, everything including the kitchen sink)
• Yew Chung International School (YCIS)

Amanda’s Tips & Tricks

Brings from home

Deodorant, dry shampoo

Fav local resource

Uber (car service)

Parting wisdom

Be optimistic because it’s a happiness magnet.

How to Connect

Online at www.amandamcneice.com
Email at amanda@amandamcneice.com
Pinterest; she has some cool expat boards and taobao ones.

Episode sponsor

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