19 - India, USA and The UK: Lessons From 30 Years of Living Across Cultures

After spending decades living in India, the United States, and the United Kingdom, Kusum Mongia has learned that the question "Where are you from?" is not always easy to answer. In this episode of Navigate Across Borders, Kusum shares her journey across three cultures, reflecting on identity, belonging, work culture, and the realities of building a life across borders.  We discuss the differences between American, British, and Indian ways of living and working, the challenges of returning to a country after years abroad, and the hidden emotional cost of expatriation. Kusum also shares a beautiful poem about transition and what it means to move from one chapter of life to another. Whether you're an expat, an international professional, or simply curious about life between cultures, this conversation offers thoughtful insights into finding home in more than one place. Access the other podcast episodes of Navigate Across Borders on YouTube and on your favorite platforms here Who am I? I'm a French expat and international educator. I've lived and worked in Asia since 2004, and I'm based in Bangalore. Chapters 00:00 Introduction & Kusum's Global Journey 02:57 Cultural Habits, Time, and Life Across Three Continents 08:48 Work Culture: USA vs UK, Competition & Work-Life Balance 18:18 Where Is Home? Identity, Expat Life & Belonging 26:34 The Expat Experience, Transitions & Returning to India Support the show