about
there are places in the world
that stay with you long after you've unpacked your suitcase. Not because of the landmarks or the bucket-list experiences, but because they quietly challenge the way you've always lived. For me, that place was North Macedonia after joining the Peace Corps.
I was assigned to a small village in North Macedonia, where life moved at a very different pace. There, I traded convenience for connection. Neighbors stopped by unannounced for coffee. Meals stretched into long conversations. Gardens supplied the kitchen, recipes were passed down through generations, and helping one another was simply part of everyday life.
Somewhere along the way, I also fell in love — with the country, its traditions, and a local Macedonian man named Stojan. The son of potato and plum farmers, he's a natural storyteller, a gifted handyman, and someone who can make a friend anywhere in the world. Together, we've built a life that bridges two cultures, two languages, and two places we call home.
We returned to the United States before our daughters were born, but we never stopped longing for the slower rhythms we had found abroad. So, after years of busy schedules, we made a different choice: we packed up our family and spent a year back in Macedonia, reconnecting with the people and traditions that had shaped us. It was one of the best decisions we've ever made.
today
we divide our time between Illinois and North Macedonia, spending our summers immersed in village life and traveling as a family everywhere we can. Our daughters have grown up hopping on trains, ferries, and tiny flights, learning that the world is both bigger and smaller than it seems.
Find Wellness Abroad grew out of that journey, because sometimes the best way to find a healthier, more connected life is to borrow a little wisdom from somewhere else.
You'll find travel guides that go beyond the typical itinerary, stories from village life and old-world traditions, ideas for creating a simpler and more intentional home, and practical resources for those dreaming of working, moving, or spending more time abroad.
Whether you're planning your next adventure, curious about life in Europe, or simply looking for small ways to slow down and reconnect, my hope is that you'll leave with a few new ideas - and the reminder that sometimes the best way to find wellness is to see the world through a different lens.
