Twenty years ago, I left Kansas and took a leap of faith and I moved to Costa Rica with a dream to raise my family in a culture that values connection, family, wellness, and a slower pace of life. What I didn’t know then is just how much this experience would shape me personally, professionally, and spiritually. What started as a family move quickly evolved into a transformational journey that shaped me into the woman, therapist, and coach I am today. Even after the end of my 20-year marriage, I chose to stay and not just because Costa Rica felt like home, but because it had helped me grow in ways I could have never imagined.
Living abroad isn’t just a change in scenery, it’s a change in mindset. It requires adaptability, humility, and a willingness to view the world through multiple lenses. Over time, I have developed a broader awareness, deeper empathy, and a richer capacity for human connection. These are essential qualities to have for the work I do helping people transform their lives.
Living abroad has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. It expanded my perspective, challenged my assumptions, and deepened my capacity for empathy, especially as a therapist and coach. Over the years, I have worked with clients from all over the world with each one bringing unique cultural experiences, values, and ways of processing the world. This diversity has sharpened my skills, but more importantly, it’s opened my heart.
I have developed a strong awareness of how identity, language, and cultural expectations influence our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Living in Costa Rica taught me how to pause, how to listen, and how to be present, living life with intention and mindfulness. My interpersonal relationships have become richer. My compassion runs deeper. I have a greater appreciation for the differences of others, which has helped me elevate the way I connect with others, both personally and professionally.
The Research Backs It Up
Science is catching up to what many of us who live abroad already know: immersing yourself in new cultures boosts your brain, your mood, and your health.
Studies have found that individuals who had lived abroad showed greater levels of self-concept clarity and creative thinking which are both linked to emotional regulation and overall well-being.
Research has shown that international experiences can increase cognitive flexibility, which supports healthier aging and may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and conditions like dementia. When we’re constantly exposed to new languages, environments, and customs, the brain forms fresh neural pathways which literally keep us younger, sharper, and more adaptive.
Embracing different cultures also fosters greater tolerance, empathy, and emotional intelligence which are all key ingredients for long-term mental health.
Growth on All Levels
Living abroad is more than an adventure; it’s a form of mental and emotional training. It pushes you to be resourceful, resilient, and curious. You learn to adapt, to release control, and to find beauty in differences. This is why I do the work I do and have such a deep passion and love for it!
I help clients across the globe retrain their thinking patterns, build emotional strength, and create lives filled with intention and purpose. Whether you are navigating a cross-cultural life, seeking deeper meaning, or simply ready for a mindset shift, I bring 25+ years of experience, paired with a truly global lens, to help you feel aligned and empowered.
Train your brain, transform your life.
Ready to create the life you’re meant to live—no matter where you are in the world?
Let’s work together. Book your session today!
www.crystalperdue.com | Now accepting new therapy (if living in MO, TX, GA, or FL) and coaching clients.
