In today’s episode, I’m joined by Freedom Life Experience Alunni Carissa, who recently moved to a tiny French town straight out of Beauty and the Beast… with her very large German Shepherd.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to move abroad with a big dog: the paperwork, the flights, the kennels, the trains, the vet visits, the housing search, all of it — this is your episode.
Carissa shares:
• How she found her dream town in the Alsace region (and why Strasbourg wasn’t the vibe)
• What it’s actually like to fly internationally with a large dog under the plane
• The unexpected vet issues, paperwork drama, airport chaos, and train challenges
• How her dog helped her integrate and get to know her new community
• Why vibes matter more than checklists when scouting a country
• The reality of finding housing in France when you have a big dog
• What made her go from “Maybe I’ll move abroad in 5 years” to “I’m doing this THIS Fall”
This episode is part fairytale, part logistical saga, and part empowering reminder that you can build the life you want — even if you’re moving overseas with a giant dog in a muzzle who hates escalators.
Carissa proves that with flexibility, resilience, and the right support, your dream life abroad is absolutely possible.
Ready to Start Your Own Move Abroad Journey?
If Carissa’s story lit a spark for you, now is the perfect time to begin your own path.
Join Freedom Life Experience
Hop on a call with Katti, our program specialist, to explore if the program is right for you.
Links & Resources
- Follow my Spain life on Instagram
- Follow Move Abroad Coach on Facebook
- Carissa’s Website: Toujours Vin Curieux
- Follow Carissa on Instagram
- Toujours Vin Curieux on Substack
Your Move Abroad Just Got an Upgrade
The Move Abroad Master Plan is an 8-lesson, self-paced course designed to help you:
- Create your personalized move abroad plan
- Gain clarity without the overwhelm
- Take confident action immediately
Plus — when you complete the course, you’ll receive a free 20-minute Master Plan Success Session with our team to finalize your roadmap.
👉 Register Now and turn your move abroad dream into a plan you can actually follow.
Love This Story? Here’s What to Listen to Next
- #115 — From Quarantine to Cargo: What Actually Happens When Your Pet Moves Abroad
- #97 — It’s Never Too Late: How Lori Moved to Paris at 60
- #128 — We Moved to Spain! The Journey From Georgia to Málaga
- #105 — Before We Move Abroad, We Need a Scouting Trip (ft. Chris)
- #25 — How to Move Abroad With Cats (Or a Small Dog)
