Loneliness in Dubai, Making Friends as an Adult, and Life as an Expat, featuring Afshan Nasseri

In this episode, multicultural marketing strategist and founder of Aam Creative, Afshan Nasseri, joins Alice to unpack a quietly growing crisis among expats: the rise of loneliness in Dubai and the emotional reality of why it’s hard to make friends as an adult. Whether you’ve just moved to the UAE, you’re struggling to build community, or you feel disconnected despite being surrounded by people, Afshan brings language to something so many feel but rarely admit. Afshan’s story spans Boston, Montreal, India, Iran, and now Dubai. She grew up in a home overflowing with culture, community, and connection—yet found herself starting from zero when she moved here. From questioning who she could call when things went wrong to navigating a social landscape that can feel transactional, Afshan shares the truth most expats whisper only to themselves. If you’ve ever wondered how to make new friends as an adult, why Dubai can feel emotionally isolating even when it’s exciting, or what it actually takes to build deeper relationships here, this episode will resonate deeply. Afshan walks Alice through: Why so many people in Dubai feel lonely even when they “shouldn’t” How transient expat culture erodes community-building instincts The difference between coffee friends vs. friends you can rely on Why adult friendship requires intentional vulnerability—and why that feels risky How making friends in Dubai often requires going first, being open, and allowing others in The cultural pressures that make people hide their loneliness, especially in appearance-driven cities What Afshan learned from teaching in rural India at 14—and how that shaped her identity today How her multicultural upbringing led to founding aam creative and advocating for authentic representation Why showing up unfiltered online unexpectedly helped her form deeper offline friendships How to spot the early signs of people you can build real connection with in Dubai Afshan also speaks candidly about the fear of being judged, the myth that everyone else has a thriving social circle, and the surprising truth: almost everyone is looking for meaningful connection… they’re just waiting for someone to go first. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating expat life, rebuilding their social world from scratch, or trying to understand why adulthood friendships require more courage—and more honesty—than we ever expected. Resources & Links 📸 Instagram: @afshannasseri 🌐 AAM Creative: https://www.aamcreative.co/