Living abroad: The highs, the lows, and the journey home

Living abroad is a major life event. It’s an experience that pushes you out of your comfort zone and forces you to grow.

However, the experience is more than just a highlight reel of travel photos; it is a complex mix of exciting discovery and the quiet challenge of being away from everything you know.

The Thrill of Living Abroad

One of the best parts of living abroad is the chance to experience “firsts” every day. There is the awe of seeing iconic landmarks for the first time and the freedom of exploring diverse landscapes, from busy, energetic cities to quiet coastal towns.

These moments build a unique sense of independence. When you are far from your usual support system, you learn to rely on yourself and handle situations you never imagined. Even small moments of familiarity, like meeting up with a family member who happens to be nearby, become incredibly meaningful anchors in a sea of newness.

A Personal Journey Across the States

For me, this adventure took place in the United States, where every city felt like a different world. In Chicago, I stood beneath the towering skyscrapers and visited The Bean, watching the city reflect in its silver surface. From there, the journey expanded to the historic streets of Philadelphia and the vast, open energy of Texas.

I also headed south to experience the warmth of Florida. In Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the pace of life changed completely. One of the most unforgettable moments was visiting my sister, who works as a stewardess on a super yacht. Seeing a familiar face while living abroad was a powerful reminder of home in the middle of a massive solo journey.

The Weight of Missing Out

Despite the excitement, there is a hidden cost to this lifestyle: the cost of absence. No matter how much you enjoy your new surroundings, you are constantly aware of what is happening back home without you.

Technology helps, but it isn’t the same as being there. You celebrate holidays, birthdays, and milestones through a screen. You see your loved ones gathered together and feel the physical gap where you should be. While you are busy living abroad, you are missing the small, everyday interactions that keep people connected.

Returning Home After Living Abroad

The most surprising part of living abroad is often the return. Many people expect home to stay exactly the same while they are away, but life continues to move forward. When you finally go back, you often realize:

• Life didn’t pause: Your friends and family have started new chapters, changed careers, or entered new stages of life.
• The “Witness Gap”: It is a strange feeling to see how much people have changed without having been there to see the daily progress. You knew it would happen, but seeing it in person can feel jarring.
• A New Perspective: You return to a place where you know every street, yet you feel different. You’ve missed the “middle chapters” of the stories back home.

Final Thoughts

In the end, living abroad is a trade-off. You give up the comfort of being present for every moment at home in exchange for the chance to see the world and grow as an individual. You may return with a heart that misses people more than ever, but you also come back with a much wider perspective on life.