Expat partner Sashka Brancheva believes that dancing has helped her thrive as an expat in four different countries.
Hitting the dancefloor
“Dancing has always helped me transition from one country to another,” says Sashka, now a resident of Cascais, a coastal resort town, just outside Lisbon. Previously she lived in Vienna, Moscow and Zagreb. “When we arrived in Portugal, I didn’t waste any time seeking out dance clubs. There are a lot of choices here. Dominican Bachata, salsa, kizomba, zouk. You name it. I was curious to learn sevillanas, a kind of flamenco that originated in Seville. But I decided to focus more on the Argentine tango – why? Every dance is a kind of language. Wherever I go, I will easily meet others who know the Argentine tango.”
A key to happiness
“I’m very grateful to my partner’s company as they have supported my studies, helping me to learn and grow as a dancer. Dancing has been a vital key to much of my happiness as an expat. I have always met people and become part of an active community thanks to dancing. I’m now experienced enough to be able to help others enhance their technique across a wide range of styles.”
Everyone is welcome
“At my dance club in Cascais, everyone is welcome to join. No matter what your level is – you just have to want to dance! I know that some expats can easily feel lonely, especially when they have no kids to help them meet people. I have seen how dancing has made a huge difference to people’s well-being. It’s very social and helps you to stay fit and active. It also keeps us away from the table, where perhaps we might be tempted to eat or drink too much!
Fountain of youth
“Not many people realise that different dance styles are good for different parts of our body – for example, the Viennese waltz is good for the heart! The tango is good for the brain! As I’m also studying an online course related to nutrition and dancing, this is another reason to choose tango! But best of all, I believe every kind of dancing helps us to stay young,” says Sashka. “So if you’re curious about taking up dancing, I would say: don’t be afraid to take the first step! I’m confident you will quickly see how it can benefit your expat life.”
