How Living Abroad Improved My Perspectives on Life

Life-changing lessons learned from years spent living abroad

Having lived abroad in three different countries for the best part of 16 years, I prefer to call myself a global citizen. Yes, that is a stretch, but hey, why not?

Living abroad has been a challenging albeit transformative journey, and has helped reshape my outlook on life in many profound ways.

I have lived most of my life in India, surrounded by familiar comforts of home. It is easy to take things for granted, especially the delicious home-cooked food, and camaraderie with friends and family, etc.

Moving abroad was a difficult, but carefully considered decision mainly driven by professional aspirations. Finding myself living away for the first time without familiar comforts made me appreciate the things I took for granted in a whole new light.

16 years hence, Do I miss home? Hell, yeah!

Has the move been worthwhile? Definitely. And, here’s why.

I Learned to Embracing Change and Cultivate Adaptability

Living abroad demands adaptability at several levels and is like no other experience. Navigating new customs, cultures, and languages presents new challenges. The admin processes involved when you first step foot on foreign land as an expat is a whole different kettle of fish — it can be challenging, daunting even, and expose you to experiences that you would never have encountered living at home.

Adaptability is a great asset to develop, as I learned later, as the two other moves seemed less daunting than the first. The third move was with a child under two years of age!

I Learned to Understand Diversity and Foster Empathy

One of the most enriching aspects of living abroad is the opportunity to interact with people from backgrounds that are completely different from yours. As these interactions became more meaningful and intentional, they broadened my understanding of various cultures, beliefs, and experiences and challenged preconceived notions. The understanding of perspectives different from my own needed to be experienced to be appreciated.

Having friends I can call upon from so many different cultures is a gift I absolutely cherish. I enjoy such beautiful friendships with so many people across the Indian border that would just not have been possible had I not moved. Friendships transcend politics!

I Learned to Find Strength in Vulnerability

Not everything is always hunky-dory. There are bound to be flip sides to the experience. Living abroad as already established, requires stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing uncertainty. You never feel really settled, until you have a permanent right to reside in a certain country. You often have limited time before you need to leave the country should you face the unfortunate situation of losing your job.

This can happen, for no fault of yours. And, it did happen. The Global Economic Downturn of 2008/09 and COVID-19 can be stated as reasons, but for an expat to be asked to pack up and leave in a short period of time can seem unfair.

In embracing vulnerability, you can find your true strength and turn it into an opportunity for personal growth.

I Learned to Cultivate Gratitude and Appreciate the Little Joys

While it is easy to rue the absence of home comforts and the warmth of familiar faces, we learn to be grateful for simple things — greetings and welcoming smiles from passers-by which can make you feel valued and welcome in a new land. For example, wishing ‘Good Morning’ to a random person on the street is not common where I grew up, but ‘almost the norm’ where I now live.

The culture of kindness inspired me to pay it forward, hoping to create a ripple effect of positivity.

Of course, many things made these transitions easier for me.

None more so than getting married to my sweetheart within eight months of my first stint abroad so that we could face challenges together rather than as me alone.

Oh, and keeping an open mind and being less judgmental works well too!

If you are contemplating a similar journey, I totally encourage you to consider all dimensions of the possibility carefully, and once you have made a decision, dive right in and embrace the unknown with courage and curiosity.

It could find you the keys to profound personal growth and transformation. It certainly did for me!

Create a life that you are proud to live!

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