S1/E31: #From Life Abroad to Global Community - Creating Connection in Dubai with Navine Eldesouki

Show notes

What happens when one woman turns her personal expat experience into a global movement of connection and support? If you’re navigating expat life, passionate about community building, or simply curious about what it takes to create meaningful connection in a global world—this episode is for you.

Culture Chat In this episode, Frauke and Marie-Christine sit down with Navine Eldesouki, a Dubai-based expat and founder of "Coffee with an Expat". What started in 2019 as a vlog has since evolved into a thriving, women-only community that brings expat women together through both in-person and online events. From intimate coffee meetups to larger community gatherings, Navine has created a powerful space for connection, learning, and personal growth—helping women navigate expat life with confidence and support.

From shifting expat demographics and the rise of global nomads to raising third-culture kids and building inclusive support networks, this conversation dives deep into the realities of expat life. Navine also shares the behind-the-scenes of running her membership-based organization, her vision for global expansion, and the power of showing up, even when it’s hard.

✨ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How the Expat Demographics in Dubai shifted toward self-initiated relocations.
• The need to actively build connections and inclusive spaces.
• How to create a Global Community from scratch.
• Insights on overcoming early challenges and staying persistent.
• Advice for Expat Parents and Tips for raising third-culture kids.

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation to foster understanding across differences.

About Navine Eldesouki: Navine is an Australian-Egyptian expat, community builder, and the founder of Coffee with an Expat (CWAE), a platform dedicated to empowering and connecting expat women globally. With over 24 years of experience living in eight countries, including Australia, Egypt, the United States, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, France, the United Kingdom, and the UAE, Navine has navigated the complexities of expatriate life firsthand.

Connect with Navine: linkedin.com/in/navine-eldesouki-46356061 https://www.coffeewithanexpat.com

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Connect with Frauke linkedin.com/in/fraukebender

Connect with Marie-Christine linkedin.com/in/marie-christine-dobro-02910b44

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