Borders are weird

We share them, cross them, argue about them, and still every time you step over one, it’s like entering a different universe.

I’ve been on the move across Europe for over a decade now. Left France in 2011 with a bag, zero plans, and just enough savings to cover a few weeks of Berlin rent. Spoiler: I didn’t even have a place to stay when I arrived. It was messy. Improvised. And probably the best decision I’ve ever made.

Three years in Berlin turned into seven in Sweden. Today, I’m bouncing between France, Sweden, and Switzerland, figuring out a rhythm in this sort of semi-nomadic life.

Here’s what I’ve learned: cultural differences are the real soft skill. And the more you’re exposed to them, the better you get at everything: leading, listening, building teams, navigating tension, handling nuance.

I used to think Europeans were pretty similar. We’re not. And that’s a good thing.

Not everyone has the chance to pack a bag and throw themselves into another country. I get that. But discomfort is a gift, and there are other ways to access it. Watch more foreign films. Listen to podcasts in a language you don’t speak. Get curious. Put yourself in front of unfamiliar perspectives on purpose.

Start here:

🎬 Loaded 4 British startup bros. British humor at its best.
🎬 The Circle Brazil Pure entertainment, but fascinating for anyone interested in identity, performance, and digital culture.
🎬 The Broken Circle Breakdown A punch-in-the-gut Belgian drama, entirely in Flemish. Fascinating and beautiful.

Comfort zones are overrated. Culture shocks build character.