Beyond Borders

What’s it really like to move from Sri Lanka to one of the busiest and most diverse cities in the world? In this episode, we talk with a Sri Lankan who relocated to London in 2021 and now works as a QA engineer. She shares her first impressions of the city, culture shocks, and how she adjusted to London life after COVID.We dive into everyday experiences — the cost of living, housing, transport,...

🎓 Thinking about studying in Australia? In this episode, we sit down with a Sri Lankan student living in Melbourne who shares his journey from completing his Mechanical Engineering degree in Sri Lanka to pursuing a Master’s in Melbourne.He talks openly about the challenges and realities of international student life, from managing tuition fees, balancing studies with part-time jobs, finding...

In this episode, we sit down with a Sri Lankan couple who lived in Singapore for over 6 years, migrated to New Zealand in 2023 — and came back after just two months. They share openly about their experiences, expectations vs reality, and the dealbreakers that made them return to Singapore so quickly.We discuss everything from lifestyle differences, renting struggles, dependent work rights, cost...

In this episode, I talk with a Sri Lankan PhD student at the University of Auckland about his life and experiences in New Zealand. 🇳🇿 We dive into first impressions, culture shocks, and the differences he felt after moving from the UAE to New Zealand.We explore: • Life as a Sri Lankan PhD student in New Zealand 🎓 • Māori culture and traditions 🌀 • The friendliness (and quirks) of Kiwi people...

In this episode, we explore what it’s like to live and work in Japan as a software engineer in Tokyo. From daily life near the Tokyo Skytree to navigating Japan’s famous public transportation, we dive into Japanese culture, food, and lifestyle through real experiences of living there for three years.We talk about the work culture in Japan, the unique rhythm of life in Tokyo, and the balance...

In this episode of Beyond Borders, we dive into the vibrant culture, history, and lifestyle of Bulgaria 🇧🇬 through the eyes of a Sri Lankan living there. From the stunning Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia to the beautiful Black Sea coastline, discover what makes Bulgaria unique.We explore fascinating facts about Bulgaria, including its ancient traditions, delicious cuisine, affordable cost...

In this episode, we talk to a Sri Lankan student who completed her Erasmus Mundus Master’s degree across Hungary, France, and Sweden. She shares what it’s really like to study in Europe, win an international scholarship, and adapt to life in three different countries.Her Erasmus Mundus journey began in Budapest, Hungary, where she experienced Europe for the first time and navigated the excitement...

In this episode, I chat with my friend who moved to Korea in 2019 to pursue his master’s and now his PhD in animal science. We dive into everything — the culture shock, language barrier, academic life, Korean food, and how it feels to live in a totally different society as a brown expat.From funny stories to deep reflections, this is a chill, honest conversation about adapting to life in South...

Ever wondered what it’s really like to study in China? In this episode, I chat with a Sri Lankan girl who did her bachelor’s in Multimedia & Web Technology in Sri Lanka and is now pursuing her master’s in China. She shares her personal experience about life in China — the culture, education system, food, challenges, tech, and daily life as an international student.From adjusting to a new...

In this episode, I sit down with a Sri Lankan friend who has worked across the Middle East as a quantity surveyor. He started his Gulf journey in Qatar, then spent two years in Kuwait, and recently moved to Dubai. We dive deep into what life is really like for a Sri Lankan working in the construction field across these countries—from adjusting to different work cultures, dealing with challenges...