Adjusting to Life and Work in New Cultures Abroad
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What does it mean to truly feel at home while navigating life and business abroad? In this episode, I chat with Romane as she shares her journey from Hong Kong to the UK, diving into her experiences with love, resilience, and mental health in business—and what it takes to thrive while embracing new opportunities abroad.
Together, we explore her tips for becoming self-sufficient, her journey to Sydney, her 'love chapter' and how meeting her now-husband helped her evolve. Romane also opens up about the challenges faced by entrepreneurs she works with and shares insights for those building businesses overseas. Tune in for practical advice on embracing new opportunities abroad with the right mindset.
Where is Home
Today, I'm thrilled to welcome Romane! We dive right in with a big question: where does she call home?
For Romane, home has always been wherever her heart is—with family, friends, and loved ones. Although she's lived in Sydney for five years (a record for her), she also finds 'home' visiting friends in the UK or returning to Hong Kong. Right now, though, Sydney, Australia, is her home base.
And does she feel like a citizen of the world? Absolutely. Originally from France, Romane has moved since she was five, studying in English-speaking universities and rarely working in French. Her roots may be French, but her identity is international.
A Journey of Self-Discovery
Looking back, who was Romane in 2014, ten years ago?
Back then, Romane was a bold, independent high school graduate who had just moved from Hong Kong to the UK to study, far from her family. At only 18, she was navigating a new city, learning the ropes of London life, and building strong friendships in a place where living costs made every experience more intense and meaningful.
Romane remembers that time fondly—a period of freedom and risk-taking. Surrounded by international friends, including her American best friend, she explored the city, learned fluent English, and shaped her independent spirit. Though London was tough, it was also fun and full of adventures that molded her into who she is today.
Becoming Self-Sufficient
How did she become self-sufficient?
Romane’s always been pretty independent—even as a kid, she handled things on her own without much help from her parents. But when you’re living at home, there’s still a framework, right? Parents guide you based on who they think you should be. But when you’re on your own, you have to re-raise yourself to become who you want to be.
Simple choices become learning moments—what you eat, when you sleep, who you spend time with. At home, these things are usually structured, but living alone, you decide everything. You learn what works for you and what doesn’t through experience. Romane was lucky to have some support from her parents for things like rent while studying, but she still learned a lot through trial and error.
She prefers learning through her own mistakes rather than being told what to do. Each experience taught her something invaluable about herself, setting her on the path to true independence.
10 Years Later…
So, here she is, ten years later. What was this journey like?
After university, she spent four years in London before returning to Hong Kong, where she’d attended high school, to start her career in communications and PR. She always knew she’d have to pursue a master’s degree because, well, as a French family, that was non-negotiable. She didn’t want to pause her career, so when her parents were moving from Hong Kong, she saw it as a chance to explore something completely new and moved to Australia.
Arriving in Sydney just before COVID, she juggled work and her master’s degree. The transition was tough; Australia felt very different from Hong Kong’s close-knit social circles and vibrant nightlife. Sydney’s slower pace and tight-knit social groups made settling in challenging. But then she met her now-husband, and things started to shift. Their relationship blossomed, and even COVID didn’t feel so isolating with him by her side. Over time, she built a community, found her footing, and made Sydney her home – that’s how she ended up staying.
Love and Relationships Abroad
Next, we dive into Romane’s “love chapter” while living abroad.
Having moved from country to country since age five due to her mom’s job, she was constantly adapting, often splitting time between the UK and Hong Kong. So, even though she was open to relationships, her lifestyle wasn’t exactly conducive to long-term connections. Most of her relationships were short and meaningful but never quite timed for something lasting.
Looking back, she’s grateful for that freedom. At the time, she’d sometimes feel heartbroken over the lack of a serious relationship. But now, she values the independence those years gave her, which she still brings into her marriage. Her husband appreciates her autonomy—they both pursue their own passions, support each other’s adventures, and also love traveling together. In six months, she’s heading to Chile with her best friend, and he’s totally supportive. They’ve built a partnership that balances togetherness with the freedom to grow individually, and it’s exactly what she’d always hoped for.
Navigating Cultural Differences
How was adjusting to work in different countries—Hong Kong, Australia, and beyond?
Romane shares that each place has unique cultural norms, even in international teams.
In Hong Kong, there’s a “work hard, play hard” mentality—late hours, sometimes even weekends, and socializing with colleagues afterward. She remembers staying at her desk after hours on her first day in Australia, only to have her boss ask if she was okay. In Australia, people come in early and leave by five, with no expectation to stay late.
Ultimately, while each country has its own work culture, the values of her management team played an even bigger role. If they were international and open-minded, they tended to bring their own cultural outlook, regardless of the local norms. Whereas, some may adopt the rules of the country. It showed her that finding a good fit at work is often less about the country and more about who sets the team’s vision and values. And if that fits with you or not.
Embracing Entrepreneurship
Romane has always felt a spark for entrepreneurship—from a young age, she’s been overflowing with ideas and a natural creativity. Whether in her corporate roles or in her ventures, she’s known for bringing a creative, entrepreneurial spirit. In the past, she launched a small clothing line, grew a social media presence, and hosted her own podcast.
What did she learn? Two key things.
First, as she heard from a speaker, "The best ideas go to waste in the planning phase." Many get stuck in planning rather than doing, but entrepreneurship is about taking action, learning through trial and error, and not fearing failure.
Second, it’s about listening to the customer. Finding what resonates requires patience and resilience—keep producing, keep trying, and eventually, something will click. True growth, she believes, comes from identifying that one thing that works and building on it.
Challenges Entrepreneurs Face
Working closely with startups, Romane sees common challenges entrepreneurs face today. One major hurdle? Building a product without a clear audience.
Often, founders assume if they like something, others will too, skipping important market testing, which leads to unmet expectations when people aren’t drawn to the product. Many also feel they must raise funds before launching, but Romane points out that proving traction—even through small trials—should come first. It’s about pivoting and adapting to customer needs early on.
Another challenge is resilience. While entrepreneurship is often glamorized, it’s a high-stakes, high-pressure journey. Founders juggle constant challenges—finances, team dynamics, client demands—and sometimes face social skepticism or isolation. To endure this, Romane believes, you have to truly love what you’re doing. Success doesn’t come from the dream of an exit but from a genuine commitment, day and night, to the work itself. This deep connection to purpose, she feels, is what sustains an entrepreneur through every setback.
Mental Health and Resilience
Romane emphasizes that mental health is foundational for entrepreneurs.
Facing setbacks is inevitable, but it’s how you approach them that makes the difference—whether you choose to give up or view each challenge as a chance to adapt, pivot, and grow. Being a founder can be exhausting, and it’s easy to overlook self-care, but she insists that prioritizing mental and physical health—sleep, exercise, healthy eating—improves productivity and decision-making
A key part of sustaining resilience, she says, is to never be afraid to ask for help. Leverage your network—friends, family, mentors—since much support is just a conversation away. You shouldn’t be ashamed. Most of Romane’s career steps came from asking around, and she believes that help and guidance are essential, especially for entrepreneurs.
Romane urges founders to take risks, echoing Will Smith’s words: “The greatest things in life come one step after fear.” She believes that letting fear hold you back only limits opportunities for growth and success. True supporters will stand by you, and those who judge aren’t worth your energy.
The Importance of Networking and Teamwork
Romane shares that she was once quite introverted.
Growing up, she enjoyed social circles and her friendships but was shy and hesitant about public speaking. It wasn’t until university in London that she started becoming more outgoing, thanks to supportive friends and jobs that encouraged her to develop these skills.
She believes that anything is possible with enough effort; even if you're shy, you can learn to be more confident in approaching people and building connections.
That said, she also emphasizes that no one can do everything alone. Delegation is essential for any business owner to stay focused on their strengths and protect their energy. By surrounding yourself with capable people and learning to let go, you create space for growth and success.
Entrepreneurship can often feel lonely, especially when starting solo. Romane encourages entrepreneurs to seek support and work alongside others, even in co-working spaces, to stay connected. Working in a team has always been something she values, as it allows for different skills and perspectives to come together, creating something stronger. Throughout her career, she has learned a lot from her colleagues, who have brought diverse cultural backgrounds and unique insights. She considers herself an open book, readily sharing her thoughts and emotions, which has helped her fit well into entrepreneurial spaces where connection and openness are valued.
Listening to teammates is also important. While Romane is outspoken, she’s learned to give others space to share their views, as their perspectives often reveal something she may have missed. She recalls her first boss in Hong Kong, a role model who encouraged everyone’s voice—from interns to senior staff. This experience taught Romane the importance of fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can contribute, as even the most junior team members can offer valuable insights. For her, the beauty of teamwork lies in the diversity of thought, which strengthens the creative process and broadens possibilities.
Building a Social Life Abroad
We just spoke about loneliness so we continue as Romane reflects on her experience with it as an entrepreneur while living abroad.
Although her parents were often around, she sometimes wished she could be back home. However, she has always maintained the mindset that she needs to be social. In the UK, she was fortunate to make friends quickly, thanks to her flatmate, who helped her avoid loneliness.
However, she found it more challenging to make connections when she moved to Sydney. She acknowledges that a lot depends on one’s mindset; if you don’t take proactive steps to change your situation, loneliness can persist.
One of her biggest fears was using dating apps, which she initially resisted. However, after a friend encouraged her to try, she discovered Bumble and ended up meeting her husband in just two weeks!
Romane points out that being new to a country presents unique opportunities to socialize, depending on the location. For instance, in Hong Kong, making friends is relatively easy, especially if you enjoy a vibrant nightlife.
Regardless of where you are, there are plenty of ways to connect with others. Networking, for example, can serve as both a professional and social opportunity. Romane wishes she had embraced networking events sooner in Australia, where she could have met people in similar industries and shared experiences.
She suggests reaching out to people in your existing network to ask if they know anyone in your new city. She often receives messages from fellow French expats visiting Australia who want to grab coffee and chat. She is always happy to help newcomers, and social media platforms like LinkedIn are great for making these connections.
Additionally, getting involved in local activities can be a fantastic way to meet people. Romane notes that her husband built a substantial social circle through jiu-jitsu, which shows how engaging in hobbies can lead to new friendships. Ultimately, she believes that you can create the life you want in any city, but it requires effort and a willingness to put yourself out there. It’s not always easy, but with persistence and openness, anything is possible.
Financial Mindset and Opportunities
We end our conversation discussing finances as Romane shares her current relationship with money.
She admits that it’s not the best; she’s never thought, “If I don’t have the money, I can’t do that.” While this mindset has its drawbacks, she believes in enjoying life now because tomorrow is uncertain. Her focus has always been on ensuring she has enough to travel and experience life, which aligns with her entrepreneurial spirit. Romane feels there are always ways to earn money, whether through her business, exploring new opportunities, or pursuing side hustles.
For her, money is rarely the biggest limitation. If you truly want something, she believes you can always find a way to make it work. While she acknowledges that her financial management has improved over time, she admits she wasn’t always great at it. She has a history of living life to the fullest on a small salary, driven by the belief that money comes and goes. This mentality stems from her resilience and determination to never take “no” for an answer; she always seeks solutions to make things happen.
However, Romane recognizes that it would be wise for her to make more conscious financial choices, such as saving instead of splurging on luxury trips or five-star hotels. Despite this, she remains convinced that if you focus on opportunities and genuinely desire something, you’ll find the funds to pursue it.
To hear the full conversation with Romane about adjusting to life and work in new cultures abroad, tune in on your favorite podcast platform.
Connect with Romane:
Instagram: @romy_was_here
Connect with Me:
Check out mine and Shannon’s upcoming Abundance in Love Retreat and Program: REGISTRATION For Retreat
Date Your Finances website: Lucie HAUTREUX
On Instagram:
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