The Truth About Living Abroad and Finding Myself

Is Living Abroad Worth the Fuss? The Story of How I Found Myself.

Whether you’ve lived abroad, dreamed of it, or never considered it, this is my story.

It’s a tale of how I became a person my past self wouldn’t recognize. It’s about finding myself and how that journey changed my life. Through my experiences living in a foreign country, I discovered parts of myself I never knew existed and grew in ways I never imagined possible.

Navigate to where you want to go:

Time Zones Apart: Redefining Home on the Other Side of the Globe
From Familiar to Foreign
Speaking a New Me
Strangers to Family
You Get to Know Yourself
The Time is Now
The Journey Home to Self

Time Zones Apart: Redefining Home on the Other Side of the Globe

Have you ever contemplated living abroad? Not just a brief visit or vacation, but truly immersing yourself in a foreign culture and lifestyle? If so, what destination did you envision? Was it a neighboring country, a familiar favorite, or somewhere on the opposite side of the globe?

While I can’t say for certain, I suspect that relocating to France, Germany, or the UK might have been easier than my choice. The comfort of knowing you’re just a two-hour flight from home in case of emergencies is reassuring.

Instead, I decided to move from Central Europe to Sydney, Australia – a staggering 16,085 km away. This meant a 22-24 hour flight, including at least one stopover. In essence, it would take nearly two days and a significant amount of money to return home if needed.

Interestingly, Australia wasn’t always my dream destination. As a child raised on Hollywood films, I had always fantasized about living in New York City. The Big Apple seemed magical to me – a place where dreams come true. However, life had other plans, and I believe that what’s meant for you will find its way to you.

What I knew for certain was that I craved distance – both physical and emotional – from everything familiar.

I needed this separation to discover something about myself, which I’ll share later.

The further you venture from home, the more unfamiliar your surroundings become. Different habits, cultures, and ways of life await you. Even simple things like talking to family require careful planning due to time zone differences. The weather, the seasons – everything changes.

But one thing remains constant: the human ability to adapt

From Familiar to Foreign

Have you ever felt trapped in a life that looks perfect on paper?

I found myself in that exact situation. I had all the things people typically desire – a job, an amazing family, friends – yet something was missing. There was a nagging feeling of not belonging, as if continuing in the same daily routine would lead to a mental breakdown.

This discomfort with the familiar, rather than a desire to leave a comfort zone, was my primary motivation. The decision to leave wasn’t about escaping a difficult situation, but about seeking something more.

The ease with which I made the decision to leave surprised even me. While the process itself wasn’t simple, the choice to go was almost instantaneous.

Your experience might differ significantly from mine, or not at all.

However, I’d like to share my perspective on living abroad and why I believe everyone could benefit from such an experience.

Speaking a New Me

Learning a new language isn’t just about communication – it’s about transformation.

As my English teacher used to say, “With a new language, you create a new personality.” This was precisely my experience.

While the language barrier can be a challenge, I highly recommend living somewhere where you can’t rely on your mother tongue. The impact can be profound:

Personal Growth: I created a new version of myself – a Kristy who speaks perfect English and loves it.
Expanded Horizons: My love for English evolved into a broader appreciation for languages.
New Standards: Speaking English daily became my new normal, feeling natural and authentically “me.”

However, this experience is subjective. I arrived in Australia with a B2 level of English. Contrast this with my visits to countries like Peru, Brazil, and China, where I couldn’t use English at all. The inability to be self-sufficient in these situations was one of the most challenging and humbling experiences of my life.

For native English speakers moving to other English-speaking countries, the transition might be easier, but the potential for personal growth remains significant.

Remember, the language you speak can dramatically shape your life abroad. Embrace the challenge – it might just lead to a new you.

Strangers to Family

When you move to a new country, making friends might seem scary at first. But here’s the thing: it’s actually pretty easy to connect with people who are in the same boat as you. Whether you’re studying, working, or just living abroad, you’ll find others who are also far from home.

It’s amazing to meet people from all over the world in one place. You don’t even need to speak the language perfectly – just basic skills are enough to start. Sometimes, you’ll become close with people who are just starting to learn English, because it’s not about perfect grammar, it’s about connecting as humans.

These friendships can be really special. You’re going through the same stuff – the good, the bad, and the downright confusing parts of living in a new country. When you don’t have your old friends or family around, these new pals become your support system.

But here’s the tough part: expat friendships can be intense but short-lived. People come and go. You might form an incredible bond with someone, only to have them move back home or to another country. It can hurt, a lot.

Not all friendships end, though.

I still have strong connections with people living across the world, knowing we are there for each other and will forever be part of one another’s lives.

Seasons of Change

Living abroad isn’t always easy. You might struggle to find a job, end up sharing a house with five strangers to save money, or feel lost in a new culture. But for some people, like me, this uncertainty was exciting. I loved the freedom of not being tied down, of not knowing what would happen next.

But it’s not for everyone. If the hard parts outweigh the good, people often go home. And that’s okay. Living abroad takes extra work and isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

For me, the beauty was in the temporary nature of it all. I loved not knowing what was around the corner. But even that gets old after a while. There comes a point when the thrill of uncertainty fades, and you start craving stability again.

In the end, these friendships and experiences shape you. They challenge you, change you, and help you see the world – and yourself – in a whole new way. It’s a rollercoaster ride, but for many, it’s worth every up and down.

You Get to Know Yourself

Living abroad isn’t just about exploring a new country; it’s an opportunity to explore yourself in ways you never imagined.

You might think you know yourself well, but stepping into a new culture can turn that notion on its head. Suddenly, you’re faced with situations that test your boundaries and beliefs in ways you never expected.

In Australia, I found myself doing jobs I never thought I’d do. Like many foreigners, I worked in hospitality and services – jobs that locals might avoid. This experience teaches you humility in a whole new way. You learn to set aside your ego and embrace work you might have once considered beneath you.

The beauty of being in a new place is the freedom to reinvent yourself. For me, that meant pursuing my dream of working with dogs. At home, I would never have considered certain jobs due to societal expectations or my own beliefs. Abroad, I realized these limitations were self-imposed.

So as there really was nothing to lose I went all in. And got the job in a dog grooming salon and that was the first time I proved to myself that everything is possible.

Getting this job was way harder than it sounds, and the job itself was very physically demanding and paid minimum wage.

But I was the happiest I remember ever being. Because it was all me, unapologetically me. No one helped me here. Now I realize when writing these lines that this is probably where my self-development story began.

The Time is Now

If you’re considering living abroad, I say go for it. But remember, it should be something you truly want, not just what you think you should do. Even if you’re doubting yourself, give it a try.

It’s better to try and fail than to always wonder “what if?”

I’ve heard way to many people say to me I’d love to life abroad but i cannot afford it now, or I can’t go because of x, y.

There are situation in life that you ever wont feel like you are prepared for but if you wait you will loose the version of yourself dreaming about this. The best time is now.

If you really want, you’ll find a way. If I did so can you.

For me, living abroad was the best decision I’d ever made.

Australia will always hold a special place in my heart, not just for the friends, experiences, and growth, but because it’s where I truly found myself.

It’s okay to be scared. Fear is normal, but don’t let it hold you back from potentially the best experience of your life.

Living abroad can be challenging, but it’s in those challenges that you’ll find your strength, resilience, and a new understanding of who you are.

The Journey Home to Self

I needed to journey far from home to realize that home is where my heart is.

The problem wasn’t the people around me, the job, or the lifestyle – though I initially thought these were the main issues.

Through this experience, I came to understand that the common denominator in all these situations was me. I needed to heal. I needed to get to know myself, to be my true authentic self.

I don’t know exactly why I was brought into this life, but I’m grateful for it every day.

While I may not understand the precise reason, I have a deep sense that it’s for something significant. To change lives, to help others, to be a source of energy and a connecting dot in the grand tapestry of life.

So this is me, laying it all out there. I’ve shared more than you might have expected, but I don’t hide. I’m not ashamed of who I am or what I believe. Having this self-belief and authenticity is the greatest gift one can possess. It’s the foundation of personal growth and the key to making a meaningful impact in the world.