www.skool.com/were-moving-to-europe
Abigail (Abbie) Somma
Gratitude Buddies

What does it really take to build a fulfilling life in a new country?

In this episode, Casey Kelly speaks with Abigail Somma, who has lived and worked across several countries. They explore how mindfulness, gratitude, and strong community connections can help people navigate the emotional and practical challenges of relocating abroad.

Abigail shares her personal journey of creating Gratitude Buddies, a community built around skill-sharing, meaningful connections, and mindful networking. Together, they discuss managing expectations when settling into a new place, coping with the emotional ups and downs of international life, and finding practical ways to build resilience and belonging.

This conversation offers thoughtful insights for anyone moving abroad, adapting to life overseas, or looking to build deeper connections in a new environment.

00:00 Rethinking the Meaning of Home
00:22 Podcast Introduction – Moving from the US to Europe
00:52 Meet Abigail Somma – Living in Spain, Italy, and Austria
01:48 Abigail’s Journey Living Abroad
03:10 From International Relations to Mindfulness and Community
04:22 The Origins of Gratitude Buddies
05:02 Why Gratitude and Community Matter After a Move
06:09 Belonging, Mindfulness, and Building Connection
07:30 Finding Community Through Shared Values
08:09 Managing Expectations When Moving Abroad
09:50 Culture Shock and Everyday Challenges in a New Country
11:29 Emotional Resilience – Humor, Crying, and Self-Compassion
13:33 Resources for Americans Planning a Move to Europe
14:57 The Hidden Mental Load of Living in Another Language
16:12 Beginner’s Mind – Staying Open to New Experiences
19:20 Guided Gratitude Meditation with Abigail Somma
23:44 Resetting Your Mindset with Mindfulness
25:00 Practical Advice for Building Community Abroad
26:07 Accepting Mixed Emotions When Moving Countries
27:02 Redefining Home and Cultivating Belonging
27:48 Final Thoughts and Gratitude Buddies Community
28:28 Outro – Thanks for Listening

Production team

Host and Researcher: Casey Kelly – We’re Moving to Europe

Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas – Unscripted Creatives

Sound library

All the music was composed especially for the We’re Moving to Europe podcast by Sage Barton. Copyright 2025, Sage Barton.
Medication background music - The Orienvibes (https://pixabay.com/users/43208736/)

Extra visuals
Meditation visual - Nathan Cowley, Pexel
Images on title slides - Photos by Pierre Blaché and Alejandra Cifre González on Unsplash