This episode is part of our Dating Series — a series dedicated to our dating experiences, because as we talk about building our lives as young women abroad, our personal life is just as important as our career, professional connections, and integration. Dating, relationships, and the way we navigate them are a big part of how we grow, what we learn, and who we become.

In this episode, we dive into expectations in dating, especially when dating abroad and navigating cultural differences in Austria. Tal interviews Elena about her dating journey as a Russian woman who moved to Vienna, and together we unpack how culture, upbringing, and personal values shape what we look for in relationships.

We talk about:

✨ the contrast between progressive career views and more traditional dating preferences

✨ what Austrian and European men often expect when dating foreign women

✨ how stereotypes, fantasies, and “the Russian girl image” influence dating dynamics

✨ emotional depth, effort, and what actually sustains a connection (vs. surface-level attraction)

✨ red flags like men who want the idea of someone, but not the emotional work behind it

✨ why consistency matters more than fireworks

✨ how our roles in relationships evolve as we grow more independent abroad

Elena also shares stories about three “main characters” of her Austrian dating experience — Mr. L.A. 🌴, Mr. Technician 🔨, and Mr. Cheese 🧀 — and what each of these connections taught her about needs, expectations, and emotional compatibility.

We reflect on how cultural background shapes dating styles, how quickly things can burn out, why slow and stable is underrated, and why not every exciting start leads to a meaningful relationship.

This is just the beginning of our Dating Series, and trust us, there is so much more to uncover 🤭