In Brains at the Border, Lynda Brettle draws on decades in the UK Diplomatic Service and a life lived across continents to explore what really happens when we step out of the familiar and into the unknown.

The title comes from a well-known expat saying that many people “leave their brains at the border.” Whether it’s Americans retiring to Mexico, Northern Europeans heading for the Mediterranean, or professionals relocating for work, something curious happens when we leave home. We make choices we’d never make in our old life. We ignore red flags. We leap before we look. We assume everything will magically fall into place.

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This book is your gentle, wise companion for navigating that leap.

Lynda takes you behind the scenes of what working abroad and living the dream really involves, the emotional shifts, the identity changes, the moments of doubt, and the unexpected challenges that can arise once the honeymoon period fades.

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Because after the excitement settles, real life has a habit of showing up:

• Work stress in a new culture

• Losing your old support network

• Feeling isolated or out of place

• Language barriers and everyday frustrations

• Homesickness you didn’t see coming

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Suddenly, the dream can feel… heavy.

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This book offers insight, reassurance, and perspective for anyone living internationally or thinking about it. It helps you understand what’s happening beneath the surface and gives you the “briefing” you wish you’d had before you packed your bags.

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So wherever in the world you find yourself, you can keep hold of your Brains at the Border… and truly thrive.

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👉 Buy Brains at the Border on Amazon
(Available on Amazon.es)