Comments on: Living Abroad: It’s an Option

By: chantal

chantal — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:23:58 +0000

At this point there is a small change that we are going to Geneva for Pim’s work. Although it’s small its still very exiting, but also very nerve wracking :-)

By: kazzles

kazzles — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:31:21 +0000

The other comment I’ll make about moving abroad (as someone who has lived in two other English speaking countries) is that just because the country speaks English it doesn’t mean you still won’t have a culture shock. Quite a few North Americans who’ve come to live here have been surprised that things are so different, one of my friends even bought clothes without trying them on thinking she would be a size 8 here too (size 8 is teeny-tiny – probably a US size 2). Be open-minded and see things as different not worse and you’ll make friends a lot easier. Trust me I learnt the hard way.

By: well-intentioned heartbreaker

well-intentioned heartbreaker — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:23:11 +0000

me on vacation: loving life.

me at the LAX: hmm. i have to go back to real life.. that kind of sucks.

me, the entire 3 hour plane ride home: i need to move, i need to take more classes at school, i need to keep playing for team BC, i need more money to do all this, i need this, i need that.

me, today: stressed. i feel like i need to make a big change in my life. i don’t know what change that is. or even if i have to make it. my life is pretty damn great, but things just seem.. unbalanced?

your post was terrific though, i’m officially thinking a little more calmly about the whole CHANGE situation.

By: Tiptoe

Tiptoe — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:46:25 +0000

Living abroad has always been kind of a fantasy for me, except that I have too many fears that I doubt I’d ever actually do it. I do however, like to learn about different cultures.

Earlier this year, my Dad and his wife thought that they might move to Belgium. They were pretty excited about it, but it wound up falling through which was okay too. They were happy where they were and what they were doing.

I think it is good that you are just considering options. I have a cousin who went to Italy on a study abroad program and fell in love with it. She is moving there soon to live for awhile. Her parents only say two years, but I think she’d rather live there for like ten years.

The one thing I’d say is to try to talk to different people from the places you are interested in possibly moving. That way you can get direct feedback of both the positive and negative.

Did you read Eat, Pray Love?

By: classic jen

classic jen — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:28:37 +0000

i can understand your dad’s comment, i think that there’s a lot to be gained by investing in a life in one place. there’s something to be gained that you can’t get after being somewhere only a few years. it’s hard for me to explain but there’s something so fulfilling about letting a place be yours, of knowing it intimately, of seeing it change over time, of being a part of the community and it being a part of you, of feeling like you are really HOME. i found that here only after 7+ years of living in one place, and i wouldn’t give it up lightly. certainly not just for newness and change.

i think it’s a lot like relationships – there are benefits to keeping your options open and having the freedom to explore and there are other benefits you can only get by commiting to one person and building a life together.

but like relationships, i think you probably have to choose wisely when you commit yourself to a place. if you haven’t found a place you are ready to commit to, then it’s great that you are going to go explore.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:32:58 +0000

We talk about it too – much harder with a family of 5! I absolutely think it’s worth considering. Life is about experience, right? Decisions by not making decisions are not satisfying. Go for it! Sounds exciting.

By: alyndabear

alyndabear — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 06:55:15 +0000

It’s totally an option. And it’s amazing how quickly living abroad starts to feel just like home, differences or not!

By: Fishing Around

Fishing Around — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:50:56 +0000

It’s a great experience no doubt. I loved study abroad. It was so different and freeing in a way. Despite the fact that I’m quite happy in my job right now, the habit of looking for jobs hasn’t ceased yet, and I find myself seeing all these jobs in my profession abroad and think, I should do it! It’s like “Phew, who needs to know the local language, you’ll pick it up.” Throw a dart and see where it lands. It’s a great option!!

By: Another Chris

Another Chris — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:39:25 +0000

I think you had a great time when you were overseas before (especially receiving care packages from home! :) ). I will say, Z, that if this is something that will tug at your unconscious, and keep you from being you (keep you from being fulfilled in your desire to change, and learn and explore) until you actually do take the steps to get this done, then I say do it now (or soon). Sometimes when you get just a bit older than you are now, life and life choices intervene to prevent you from enacting the more daring things you once dreamt of doing (examples, a mortgage, a marriage…children or that one job you just cannot give up, because it provides you with so much). I wish I could have lived overseas when I was younger and more daring (but less financially able to make such a move)…now I am sure that will never happen, and I’m resigned to that…so, if you don’t want to become resigned to missing such opportunities, act on them now (all apologies to your Pop for this advice!).

By: Anya

Anya — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:57:56 +0000

Hubby and I talk about it a lot. I would really like to get out of here but with us buying a home, starting out our careers, in grad school, etc., a big move is not an option, but it may be in about 5 years. However, if I could change my life and remain single, I would sooo be in Europe or Canada right now…