Alyssa is an American writer and educator with a very low tolerance for comfort zones. Ten years ago she took the leap of a lifetime, moving from Boston to teach at an international school in Switzerland. She currently lives in Scotland, where she recently completed her PhD. She loves being an advocate for other solo women looking to take their leap into life abroad.

Alyssa has been a finalist for the BBC's Scottish Voices talent development program, and her unpublished novel was longlisted for Helen Lederer's Comedy Women in Print Prize. In her free time she can be found dancing (badly) doing improv and hanging out in bookstores.

In this episode:

• Why Alyssa left Boston to explore international opportunities

• How she found her first teaching position in Switzerland

• The timeline for international school recruitment and tips for educators

• Why she moved to Edinburgh, Scotland

• UK visa options and challenges

• How to deal with doubts when making a big life change

  The value of community and support from women who have already moved abroad

•  Search Associates

• U.K. Visas and Immigration

•  Schrole

Where to find Alyssa:

• Website: alyssaowrites.com
• Instagram: @‌alyssaowrites

This episode is sponsored by International Living.

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Thank you to our sponsor, INTERNATIONAL LIVING, for making this season possible!

Check out International Living for resources on moving and retiring abroad, including:

🌏 ⁠34th Annual Global Retirement Index⁠

🏴 Why North Americans Should Consider Scotland for an Affordable, Scenic Life