🌎👉 From homesickness to community builder:
When Ana moved from Brazil to the Netherlands for her partner’s job, she expected adventure and new opportunities. What she didn’t expect was the crushing loneliness.
“I went from being surrounded by family, friends, and the warmth of Brazilian culture to sitting alone in a cold apartment, not understanding the language or the humor. I felt invisible,” she recalls.
The hardest moments came during holidays. While her family back home gathered for festive meals, Ana spent Christmas Day scrolling through WhatsApp messages and fighting tears. She realized that if she didn’t find a way to connect, she might not last long abroad.
👉 Turning point
One evening, after yet another lonely weekend, Ana posted in a local Facebook group: “Does anyone want to meet for Brazilian coffee and cake?”
To her surprise, ten people showed up. Some were Brazilian expats, others were locals curious about her culture. They laughed, shared food, and swapped stories about missing home. For the first time in months, Ana felt like herself again.
👉 Building something bigger
That small gathering grew into a monthly event called “Café Brasileiro.” Within a year, Ana had organized dozens of meetups, cooking classes, and cultural exchange nights. Word spread beyond the expat community, and locals began joining regularly.
She didn’t stop there. Ana eventually launched a cultural consultancy, helping companies in the Netherlands understand Brazilian business etiquette and vice versa. What started as a survival strategy became a bridge between two cultures—and a new career path.
🌎💡 The takeaway
Ana’s journey shows how loneliness can be transformed into leadership. By addressing her own homesickness, she built a vibrant community that still thrives today.
Her advice to fellow expats?
“Don’t wait for others to invite you in. Create the spaces you need—and you’ll be surprised who shows up.”