Outlandish scenery, alluring cuisine, marvelous new friends, spicy new lovers all create an irresistible diary begging to be read.
No lie - It is marvelous being an expat. A constant adventure. A source of satisfaction. A never-ending 'hello' to the world to help it remember you exist.
Better than crack but just as expensive.
Much like crack, living abroad takes its toll. Some of which will shatter your soul, some will forge your fortune, some may give you crabs - itchy fun for everyone!
Let's talk about if it's for you, yes?
- Do you love getting lost in new cities?
- Do you like the idea of saying 'I live in Argentina/Croatia/New Zealand?'
- Do your family/close loved ones/friends know how to use a calling card/skype?
- Do you get excited when you think about all the new friends and people you'll make (which you will)?
- Are you an independent spirit?
- Does getting asked the standard three questions (where you from, why you here and what you're doing) every day seem like a small price to pay?
- Can you handle not being there for your family/friends' everyday life?
- Are you alright with the strong possibility that you may not be there if your parents/siblings/extended family fall sick swiftly?
- Can you cope with the idea that once you leave your hometown, given time, you will miss it?
- Do you love the attention of being exotic and people wishing they were you?
- Does strange-looking food with odd texture invigorate you and get your taste buds salivating?
- Have you been dreaming about living abroad most of your life?
- Can you speak their language?
- Can you picture yourself raising a family in that foreign place?
- Do you love shows like Dr. Who, Firefly and Avatar?
- Are you ready to live a plethora of mind-blowing, inconceivable (at this point) adventures that others will only dream about?
- Do you hold experiences and adventure higher than material goods and owning assets?
- Can you thrive hanging out by yourself for long periods of time?
- Do you just want to do it already and see how it goes?
If you answered most of these 'yes' then congrats, you're well-suited to being an expat. If 50-50, try it and see if you like it. If mostly 'no' not a worry, you may be better suited to living months at a time abroad and that makes you an honorary expat.
I've lived in New Zealand for the past six years and in the process - have discovered my dream job, shacked up with a mad scientist + fat cat, intersected with a plethora of cool kids and explored an ethereal landscape. It has had consequences and when my mom fell ill the distance became more apparent.
BUT life is for SEIZING!
At the end of the day, you can always return to your home turf. It's only one plane ticket away.
GRAB this chance and go check out what life is like when you CONQUER your WORLD!
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17 comments:
Love your voice and encouragement in this! Indeed, who doesn't dream of living abroad? Seriously? C'mon.
I have had many adventures traveling... some with a rock n roll band.. and some without. But your story is awesome. New Zealand? Wow.
Sorry to hear about your mum though. That is really really tough. Hugs to you on that!
xo
Share, thanks so much. Such kind words.
ROCKNROLL BAND!?!? You are exceeding my cool limit. Love your Video Rockstar University! Such a badass idea.
LOL! HUGE Doctor Who and Firefly fan here! You hit the nail on the head with that one. ;)
I would love, love, LOVE to spend even a few months in France. Spent a week in Paris for my honeymoon (seven years ago today!) and couldn't get enough.
But I'd probably better brush up on my French, though. Pointing and grunting only gets you so far. ;)
That's great post and a confirmation to myself that I've made a right decision to move to London from Latvia.
New Zealand seems a very daring country to live in and I'm sure it's very beautiful.
As an expat, even not so far away from my home country, I SO GET the "Why are you here?" every single day! Loved it, thanksç
Fabulous article!! Having lived abroad in Panama for the last 6 years I can totally relate that living abroad is not for everyone but those who Love it just couldn't see life any other way.
Especially true is what you say about how some people are best suited for living several months at a time abroad and not full time, that is a great idea for those looking to get their feet wet in the expat world!
Can't wait to hear more about your adventures and life-conquering expat fun!
Hi there!
I love This post. I dream too of expat life, and sometime I hope I can spend a good amount of time abroad. In the meantime I will get my tips from this here blog! I love it!
Do you allow followers via gfc!? I would love to subscribe :)
Anticipationblog.blogspot.com
@lacy boggs - I want to learn French as well! It's great to immerse yourself in the culture for quicker learning. I just found that if you don't the language it can be exhausting. Don't be deterred!
@Inga - London from Lativia sounds like a thrilling adventure!
Emmanuelle - Maybe it's time we change up the answers! One day - dolphin-training, the next skydiving!
@Beth- What was living in Panama like? Why'd you leave?
@Taylor - Thanks! I do allow GFC followers but I took out the widget (I'm moving to Wordpress soon)
I'm actually a Kiwi myself, and spent ~5 years living and working in London. I loved it, although it taught me there was a big, wide world out there I wanted to explore, it also taught me that NZ is my home and I'll always want to come back to it.
Thanks for an awesome post series.
TANJA
Great list - includes the good/fun stuff as well as the downfalls like not being part of everyday life and not a quick drive away should family become sick.
My boyfriend is an expat of sorts from Ireland living in the States (with me) and has been here for about 15 years!
I dream of living abroad almost every day!Thanks for this post to remind me to get my butt in gear :-)
@Tanja - That's awesome. NZ is a great place to call home. :)
@Brittany - That's fantastic! Where would you want to live abroad?
Great stuff - love your list! I've lived in Argentina since 2007 and this one made me laugh: "Does getting asked the standard three questions (where you from, why you here and what you're doing) every day seem like a small price to pay?"
It's true - this happens all. the. time. :)
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