Girl Gone International’s FREE International lifestyle magazine!
Light as air, readable anywhere. The only free lifestyle magazine for women living, loving, working, studying or travelling abroad.. or hoping to!
Why Do I Feel So Lonely? It’s Not Just You
PSYCHOLOGIST, sam capon, on loneliness abroad Life abroad can be exhilarating. Dopamine, the chemical that provides pleasure, pumps through us as we explore different places, try new foods and have different experiences. What an achievement! We've left our old life...
Global Pride Parade Roundup 2021
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month in commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. The Uprising is considered a turning point in the Gay Liberation Movement in the US. At first these marches were a political sign and protest, but over the years an element of festivity has...
Real GGIs, Real Stories: Pandemiversary, May from the Philippines
Early in the founding of Girl Gone International, we found that through the sharing of stories we forged and reinforced our identity as individuals and collectively as an organization. Over the years we have documented our journeys through the telling of our stories,...
Star Wars and the World of Cosplay: Strong Women Needed
Are you a Girl Gone International who loves Star Wars? If you are, you are not alone. In honour of May the 4th, Dorian shares her love of Star Wars and gives you all the information you need to get involved with Star Wars cosplay — no matter where you are in the...
10 Simple Changes You Can Make to Save Our Environment
Thinking about the environment and climate crisis can be very overwhelming. And thinking of what you can do on an individual level can be even more so. While it’s important to think about overarching actions we need to be taking as a society, I like to talk about the...
‘Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?’
In the weeks leading up to Ramadan, billions of Muslims around the world begin googling “Ramadan start date.” This is in preparation for what is considered as the most sacred and challenging month of the year in the Islamic community. Sara Hamouda is one of the...
Letter From the Editor: Let’s Unpack Travel
Dear Readers, Girl Gone International (GGI) is not a travel group. I know, you’re probably reeling after reading that statement, but let me explain. While it might be safe to assume that most of the women in GGI are travelers or have traveled at some point in their...
Misdiagnosed No More: 5 Resources for Women Who Suffer From Endometriosis
Your period isn’t supposed to be excruciating — there’s actually nothing normal about being in debilitating pain on a monthly basis. For a long time I was led to believe that missing school during my period was normal. That this was the price of womanhood. My mother...
Recycling Urban Waste to Create Work for Women
It all started with Camille. Camille is a mother of three living in a low-income community in Lagos, Nigeria. She runs a small store on her street. In the community where Camille lives - similar to communities where approximately 66% of Lagosians live - uncollected...
Pandemic Life One Year Later: Seeking Comfort in Community and Lessons Learned Under Pressure
On 11th of March, COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. At this point there were 118,000 cases in 114 countries and 4,291 deaths. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are now, a year later, more than 122,524,424 cases and 2,703,620 reported...
8 Outstanding Women Who ‘Choose to Challenge’: International WOmen’s Day 2021
“A challenged world is an alert world and from challenge comes change.” This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is "Choose to Challenge." This theme could not be more apt considering the past year of challenges faced on a global scale. International Women’s...
On the Cover: Lilia Shares her Perspective and Passions
Lilia has graced us her presence on the March 2021 issue of GGI Magazine and shared her perspectives on life and passions. Born and raised in Mexico, Lilia currently calls Mallorca her home. She embodies a strength and aura that is important to highlight, particularly...
8 Practical Travel Tips To Reduce Your COVID-19 Risk
Oh COVID-19 (sigh)! To think that one little virus would change the world as we know it. Somehow it feels very much like the wartime stories I used to hear from my grandma — my 92-year-old, Indian grandmother who lived through the Second World War, the Indian...
LGBTQ+ Travel: One Trans Woman’s Journey to Self-Discovery
Many can relate to the feeling of being trapped in a life that isn’t your own. We make decisions for family, friends, for work, for life. Constantly making sacrifices and compromises to live a good life, but not exactly a full life. Those of us who are able to make...
Interview with Rosemary: On Finding Love Abroad
Girl Gone International (GGI) interviewed Rosemary to discuss her experiences in finding love abroad and outside her comfort zone. Meet Rosemary Ajuka, a former radio host, activist and innovator. She currently works in International Marketing. Although she lives in...
Galentine’s Day – Everything you need to know
So, it’s February and shop windows as well as all our social media feeds are starting to get swamped with kitschy pink and red hearts, telling us we need to buy presents and chocolate for our significant other. Or find one in time for February 14th… Or not. Because...
On the Cover: Rachell Shares her International Life
Rachell was born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, but is currently living in Abu Dhabi, UAE and is a New Yorker at heart. She’s been a Girl Gone International Member since 2017, and has since volunteered to host multiple successful events for the GGI Abu Dhabi community....
Connection to Community through Face Masks
A connection is “a relationship in which a person or thing is linked or associated with something else.” At the start of the pandemic, the world connected through the shared practice of sheltering in place and keeping your distance. That if we must leave our homes or...
1st Annual Global Reading Challenge — Your Passport to Adventure
"As part of GGI’s 10 birthday celebrations we officially launched the Girl Gone International Global Book Club. This new online Global Book Club sits alongside our 70 local book clubs across the world which offer in-real-life monthly events in cities across the...
10 Tips to Help You Transition to a Happy Life Overseas
Clinical psychologist Dr. Melissa Parks from Intentional Expat give us her to life-saving tips to help you transition to your new life overseas. 1. Be aware of where you are . . . And not just in terms of your physical location. Living or traveling overseas involves a...
Moving Abroad Do’s and Don’ts
Moving abroad is a wonderful experience. There is something exhilarating about packing up your life and starting a new journey in a place that’s different from where you grew up. Whether you’re looking for a fresh start or an opportunity to explore a new corner of the...
Better Your Health By Following These 6 Easy Tips
For as long as I can remember, I was always in the kitchen with my mom, cooking and baking. Partly because it was a chore but mainly because I wanted to learn how to prepare a delicious meal. From the age of 10 I started collecting healthy recipes. I grew up in the...
How Empathy Can Help You Make Friends in Unfamiliar Places
My journey to empathy In 2011 after a failed relationship, I found myself fighting with depression and anxiety in my professional life; so I packed my life into two suitcases and left my family and friends to go “find myself” in a small town in China. I was relieved...
On the Cover: Carla Talks About Life Abroad
Carla is part of the Global Girl Gone International (GGI) group and GGI Mallorca — a city she loves for it’s vibe, the way life goes by slowly and getting to enjoy nature. It might not be her favourite place in the world — but it does tick a lot of boxes! Carla gave...
From Lurker to Leader: How GGI Has Helped Me Grow
In the Beginning... I have always been fascinated by leadership, as a researcher, but also simply as a person wondering how different people from different cultures and backgrounds can work together in a way that brings out the best in each person. The leadership...
The 2020 GGI Holiday Gift Guide
The 2020 GGI holiday gift guide is here! This guide features GGI small business owners and artisans from our communities around the world. As we head into the 2020 holiday season it’s important for us to recognize that this year is unlike any other before. We’ve all...
Moving Abroad to San Francisco Taught Me to Love Solo Travel
It was the first time I had flown anywhere by myself and as I sat on the 10+ hour flight to San Francisco, looking forward to my new adventure: a move abroad. The excitement was almost too much to bear. Now thirteen years later, and while I enjoy solo travel abroad...
Everything You’ve Been Dying to Know About Girl Gone International
Girl Gone International is celebrating its 10 year anniversary. So in honor of 10 years of GGI, we're offering up answers to the 10 questions most commonly asked in our communities! 1) Loneliness is what sparked Girl Gone International GGI was started by one woman's...
How to Plan the Perfect Road Trip
A road trip can be the adventure of a lifetime! Getting behind the wheel (or jumping in the passenger seat) has always been one of the best ways to discover new and little-known places in your own backyard, but there are many people who have yet to experience the...
Menopause Leads to New Beginnings
The beginning of an adventure It is World Menopause Day —18 October 2020 — which has given me 'pause' to reflect back to November 2014. I’d arrived in Mexico aged 49 years, with my partner and our son, who was five at the time. Prior to this the UK was my home. Now...
Emily in Paris: What the Series Gets Right and Wrong About Living in Paris
There's a new Netflix series that has been making the rounds across social media. Critics have hated it, viewers have loved it, and while there are plenty of foreigners living in France that find it relatable, there are countless more that find it unrealistic. That's...
5 Most Common Challenges of Living Abroad and How To Overcome Them
Women move abroad for many different reasons. Some live abroad for fun, others do it for love or family and some do it their careers. But regardless of the 'why', there will always be some bumps in the road. As it it turns out, a lot of women find that the bureaucracy...
10 Years of GGI – Our Community Managers Share Their Stories
The dedication of GGI Community Managers is at the core of Girl Gone International's success and global reach. But who are these womxn? And how did they end up helping thousands of other womxn build their home away from home? Back in 2010, the idea of Girl Gone...
GGI Book Club: Homegoing, a Novel by Yaa Gyasi
I’m in awe of this nove, Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi! Gyasi speaks so poignantly; history (and often herstory) is very much just a retelling of one’s story; the quote above is the core of the novel. Yet, there is more to that story, which is carefully demonstrated in this...
Dealing with International Divorce
An international romance is the stuff of modern-day fairy tales, but what happens when it all goes wrong? Signs could be pointing to an international divorce - and that is never easy, GGI’s Macrui Dostourian advises on what to do when you decide to go your own way...
An Introduction to Eco-Tourism & Ethical Travel
So The way you decide to travel has a massive downstream effect on the local community, economy and environment, which is why eco-tourism and ethical travel are taking center stage. We talk to biologist Katie Lutz, a full-time biologist who explores the world every...
Single Life Abroad: Dating in Paris
When it comes to finding romance overseas, there's no denying that dating in Paris is something many travelers hope to experience. In Issue 4 of our GIRLGI magazine we talked to single women dating overseas. One of those women was Lily Heiss, a Canadian freelance...
10 Best Websites for Finding a Remote Job
The idea of finding a remote job that lets you work from home is being embraced by more and more people every day. Some come to the decision by necessity, while others simply desire to strike more of a balance between their personal and professional lives. But if...
How To Find a Job Overseas
Job searches are never without their difficulties, and if you're hoping to find a job overseas in another country the task can feel even more daunting. Not only do you have to deal with the built-in stress of job hunting itself, but you also have consider the...
How Americans Can Vote From Abroad in the USA Elections
As an absentee voting veteran now living outside the U.S.A., I’ve decided it is my patriotic duty to share with our readers just how to vote from abroad. But first, a story... The second time I was able to vote in an United States election was way back in 2004. Bush,...
8 Tips for Female Solo Travel
Solo travel is often credited for being the catalyst for many GGI's decision to move abroad. But whether you intend to stay overseas long-term or are just looking to escape your daily routine for a while, when you go at it alone you need to be prepared for some...
The Many Microaggressions BIPOC Face While Living Abroad
Those pesky things called microaggressions seem to serve to remind us that not everyone experiences travel, living and moving overseas in the same way. On the one hand, there’s the issue of passport privilege. In short, passport privilege is granted to an individual...
The Pros and Cons of Having a Baby Overseas
Giving birth while living in a foreign country presents its own set of challenges. In this multi-part series we talk to several moms who decided to have a baby while living overseas: Doula and mother of three, Australian Emma Vassallo in Germany offers tips on how to...
Giving Birth While Living Abroad
Giving birth while living in a foreign country presents its own set of challenges. In this multi-part series we talk to several moms who decided to give birth while living abroad: Doula and mother of two, Australian Emma Vassallo in Germany offers tips on how to...
Making Childbirth Abroad a Positive Experience
Giving birth while living in a foreign country presents its own set of challenges. In this multi-part series we talk to several moms who experienced childbirth abroad: Doula and mother of two, Australian Emma V in Germany offers tips on how to create a positive...
The 10 Best YouTube Travel Channels
We have all been grounded for half a year. 6 months of cancelled trips, lost adventures and missing family and friends. The world just as quickly show signs of opening up as it shuts down again and travel restrictions change and evolve in response to second and third...
How to Start a Business Franchise Overseas
For anyone living overseas or thinking of moving to another country, setting up a business franchise can be a daunting process. There are likely to be to linguistic, cultural and legislative barriers to overcome not to mention the tasks of obtaining premises and...
7 Secrets to Getting a Job Teaching Abroad
Teaching abroad has allowed me to live my dream of inspiring young people about my home. Where is that home, exactly? Wherever I choose to make it - my home is the world! Working as an international teacher seems to be the world’s best kept secret and even now I am...
How to Survive Your Partner’s Move Abroad
Generally speaking, when one half a couple lands a job that will require them to move abroad, they need to think about their partner's well-being before 'yes'. As work opportunities in today’s global village takes employees and adventure-seekers further and further...
ICE Says Student Visa Holders Have to Leave the United States
Update: On July 14, 2020 the Trump administration rescinded its decision to force student visa holders to leave the U.S. if not enrolled in in-person classes. For more information, read this article from The New York Times. People emigrate and immigrate to new...
10 Tips to Help You Make Friends Abroad
Making friends abroad can be intimidating in the best of times. Fortunately Jess and Rachel have experienced all the highs and lows of living abroad - after moving to Beijing and Paris respectively - and now they're ready to share their top friend-making tips with...
New Post-COVID Travel Restrictions for EU and USA
To say that the world has changed in the past six months would be an understatement; the Coronavirus pandemic has both uprooted and grounded us. Many have lost their jobs, trips, visas, and routes home. The economy has slowed to a crawl across the globe, passports...
How to Overcome the Moving Abroad Blues
Growth is more than simply reaching traditional milestones and living the life others want for us. Moving abroad means you reach that conclusion way ahead of your peers who've decided to follow more traditional routes. Give yourself some credit as you are on an...
5 Ways to Cure Homesickness
Moving to a new country, city or continent can be very much like breaking up a relationship. It doesn’t matter if you were the dumper or dumpee: that feeling of loss can follow you to your new home and make it difficult to settle. That heavy feeling is what is...
All About GGI WeChat groups!
WeChat groups are how GGI communities are built and nurtured in China. From our events to your daily needs! We don't use facebook or WhatsApp but WeChat, China's super app! It is a bit of a closed ecosystem but scan our QR code at the bottom of this article within...
The Best Coffee Shops in Shanghai to Cozy Up With a Book
The Cafe Life Finding a reading spot where the staff and space are welcoming can be a daunting task in a city like Shanghai. But there is hope! Many GGI Members in Shanghai are avid readers, and we have put together our personal guide for the best coffee shops in...
48 Hours in Guangzhou, China
Make the most out of a weekend in Guangzhou, China If you have the chance Guangzhou is definitely worth a trip. Modern and old colonial mix together in this beautiful river city. A huge city, that is surprisingly easy to travel around by bus, metro, and taxi. If you...
5 Amazing Communities for Women Living in Shanghai
1) LesQueers (LQ) This community is dedicated to Shanghai’s LGBTIQ community. LQ focuses on empowering the LGBTIQ community through events and their soon to be released App. LQ also has begun doing diversity and inclusion trainings for businesses and organizations...
Self-Care on International Women’s Day
Read Why International Women's Day is Important to Us It is that time of year again: International Women’s Day. Iconic women from our past and present spring to mind when we think of this day. Emmeline Pankhurst (1858–1928), an integral voice in the suffragette...
All About Skincare in China!
Let’s face it, being a new arrival in China and trying to fine the right skincare products can be hard! But we're here to help. Chinese winters brings deliver a plethora of obstacles, from the harsh, cold, polluted air outside to the dry heater air inside. So to...
6 Secret Foodie Hangout Spots in Chengdu, China
The secret's out...we've found the best hidden gems for foodies visiting Chengdu, China! Chengdu, capital of the Sichuan province where most of China’s food is produced is a must-visit city for any foodie. Upon your arrival, you will notice dozens of Sichuanese...
An Interview With Sophie Hanson: The Robot Granted Citizenship
ONE MILLION WOMEN’S DREAMS . . . was the theme for this year’s Female Entrepreneurs Day (FED) event On December 2nd 2017. I was very lucky to be able to attend this inspiring and empowering event surrounded by female founders and CEOs, corporate leaders, and...
Shanghai Living – Books, Music and Getting lost
Rebecca Macoskey, American, 27, lives in Shanghai, China How in the world did you end up in Shanghai? Accepted a teaching position at HongQiao International School right out of college and have been here since! What was your first impression in this city compared to...
48 Hours in Xiamen, China
Xiamen, China is located on the coast, across from Taiwan, between Shanghai and Hong Kong. It is a beautiful tropical Island with tasty local snacks, friendly people, and amazing views. DAY 1 When you arrive a good starting point is Zhongshan Road. Get off the BRT at...
5 Questions with Latin Electropop Singer Javiera Mena
Chilean Indie Star Javiera Mena is one of the most important singers on the Spanish-speaking electropop scene. Javiera who is the first openly lesbian artist from Latinamerica to play Coachella, brought her unique retro sound to Shanghai and we managed to grab a chat...
GGI Jennie Johnson Tells Us What She Loves About Living in China
Jennie Johnson moved from United States of America to Shanghai, China. When did you first arrive in China and what are you doing here? I arrived in Shanghai nearly a year ago on Thanksgiving Day (United States). Wow! I can’t believe it has already been a year; time...
Say Hello to The Women Responsible For GGI China!
Michelle Ibarra – GGI Asia & Oceania Regional Manager Work? Graphic design small business owner, Teacher, Project Manager, Podcaster Why China? Work, travel, Asia is the best. After living and working in Argentina, S.Korea, Spain, and Holland I wanted a new...
48 Hours in Chengdu, China
48 hours in Chengdu, China Chengdu is the central hub of Sichuan, known as the city where the old come to rest and the young become lazy. The laid back lifestyle, spicy food, and pandas are what attract many to the city and eventually call this place home. Directly to...
GGI Confessions: Living Abroad in Brussels
Els Queekers is living abroad in Brussels I am a Girl Gone International because... I have an urge to discover unique places, meet different cultures and turn strangers into friends. Being a GGI has made me realise how much empowerment you can get from others -...