Cepee Tabibian created She Hit Refresh, a community and resource hub for women that’s been inspiring and educating women around the world. She’s committed her life to getting women over 30 abroad. Tabibian has been living in Spain for the past 10 years. She has channeled her own experience as an immigrant into a mission to empower others. As the author of “I’m Outta Here! An American’s Ultimate Visa Guide to Living in Europe,” she offers invaluable insights into the process of moving abroad.
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Cepee Tabibian is the proud daughter of Colombian and Iranian immigrants. Her multifaceted background has made her especially aware of what it means to live in a new country. Then at 35 years old, she moved to Spain. This decision was strongly driven by her lifelong dream to live internationally, which ignited after a trip to the Netherlands at age 17.
“I knew I wanted to live abroad as soon as I set foot in the Netherlands,” she recalls. But while her first stabs at the new process were beset by doubt and trepidation. “At 35, I tried again, arriving in Spain with doubts and no clear plan.”
Since her relocation, hundreds of women have made their own successful transitions thanks to Tabibian’s success helping women transition. She Hit Refresh presents a masterclass for Women on Fire. It equips them to overcome the challenges of relocating abroad. ACCOUNTABILITY In addition to clear and applicable guidance, the platform aims to create an environment of camaraderie and accountability.
Within 18 months of launching She Hit Refresh, Tabibian found herself immersed in her passions for writing, content creation, and community building. Her podcast serves the community’s mission further by sharing firsthand stories and advice from women who’ve made the move.
Of course, Tabibian acknowledges, the task of uprooting one’s life is an intimidating prospect. Still, she adds that all women report the soothing qualities of the gentle hospitality they’ve discovered in their new communities. “It’s true that uprooting your life is a big decision, but there are so many places that are welcoming to Americans,” she states.
Of all the countries she covers, Portugal is noted for its welcoming nature to first-time expats. “It’s hard to find a country more open to expats than Portugal,” she affirms. Moreover, she touts the Netherlands as another friendly alternative. “The Netherlands is known for being very welcoming to expats,” she adds.
Tabibian estimates that 95 percent of the women she assists never regret their choice to come overseas. “The women I work with typically have no regrets about their decisions to move abroad,” she says. In reality, she frequently hears from them that they wished they had made the leap earlier. “If anything, most of them regret not doing it sooner,” she reflects.
The She Hit Refresh community is a great resource to explore the fears and worries that often plague new expats. Questions such as “Where would I go? How can I make it work? Will I be accepted? What if it doesn’t work out?” often arise among those considering relocation. Tabibian urges women to search out the countries that are best suited to their individual and career goals.
As a resource for those looking to move abroad, Tabibian has written articles for prominent outlets like CNBC, where she explores topics related to career changes and living overseas. “Want a new career that’s higher-paying, more flexible or fulfilling?” she prompts her audience.
Now based in France, Tabibian loves its serene pace of life and remains devoted to encouraging other women as she still seeks to unlock their full potential. With her young daughter by her side, she starts the entrepreneurial journey. In tandem, they start a new life in a strange country.
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