What happens when you move back home — and it no longer feels fully like home?

In this episode of Friendship Abroad, Hanna talks to her friend Anja — a Dutch singer, songwriter, and producer — about living in Asia and returning to the Netherlands after years abroad.

They explore something many people don’t expect:

how hard it can be to reconnect with old friends, rebuild your social circle, and find your place again in a country that used to feel familiar.

Is friendship with colleagues real friendship?

Can you outgrow the people you once felt closest to?

And what does it take to build meaningful connection later in life?

Anja also shares an incredibly inspiring story about friendship after 60 — proof that deep connection has no age limit.

In the episode, Anja mentions several social events she attended on her own — you’ll find the links below:

&the table: https://www.andthetbl.com/

After 5 | The IRL friendship platform for women: https://after-5.co/

Apps for making friends: Bumble BFF and Hey! VINA

Follow Anja on TikTok to discover her music and creative work:

Follow Hanna on Instagram for more insights on expat life, health, and social connection.

And if you’d like to become a guest on the podcast, reach out via email: nutrihanna.nl@gmail.com

Because sometimes the bravest move isn’t moving abroad —

it’s learning how to belong again.