expat

The life of an expat. Being an expat is probably been the most growing experience I've ever had to face. Its not like something as simple as going off to college, which was hard at the time. Its way more complicated than that... its bigger than that... College, yes, was a huge step. Going from a small pond to a larger one not really knowing anyone, but it was still America. I went from Texas to California...

Being an expat is like your freshman year of college on steroids. You get thrown from a small pond (Dallas, Texas) to a huge one (Seoul, Hong Kong) where you know almost no one, and in most cases they don't even speak English. The culture is completely different, the foods are unique and sometimes odd, and the smells and sights differ every step you take. In my case, you spend most of your days outside talking to complete strangers and many times I am by myself wandering around the city.

I'm not sure how you would enjoy it... I figure since several different people read my blog I won't suggest you would hate it, or enjoy it. I do know that either way, it will change you. Just like your freshman college experience causes you to maturely grow so does an expat life. Its not something as simple as saying you grow because "mommy" & "daddy" aren't there for you. Its more saying that YOU have to be there for YOURSELF. Your basic survival of a new country depends on how well you can adapt.

I know many people who may read this will think to themselves that being an Expat is too scary or not something they would want, but you have to think about this... from when you started college to when you ended how much of a change ended up happening to you? I'm not talking about delayed growth spurts or clothing styles... but maturity-wise... what's different.

The differences you see in yourself, imagine that, on a larger scale.

Now i'm not saying that I'm super mature. Nor am I saying that I am a different person. I've only been here for 4 months, and for those that really know me.. I never really do grow up. What I am saying is that the experience of a lifetime is sometimes taking those steps out of your comfort zone and doing something that you never thought you would do. Only way you can grow is being forced to change.