Life Lessons I’ve Learned as an Immigrant

And why I never take anything for granted.

I moved halfway across the world at the age of 30.

Externally I was excited and looking forward to the adventure of my new life. Inside, I was terrified!

You see I’m not great with change. I like to be comfortable, safe, and know what to expect so making this move was like upending everything I’d ever known.

Looking back now I have learned some very valuable lessons from this experience. Here are some of them.

1. It’s never too late for a big change

I fought this move tooth and nail.

I had a great job working for a magazine company. My boss trusted me and I loved that I was making an impact with my work. I was independent, making good money, and generally happy-ish with where my life was. Sure, I wanted more but I wasn’t in a hurry to go find myself or do anything drastic.

So while I understand that a big move is not for everyone, in my case it has been life-altering, in a good way. I was able to take advantage of opportunities to expand my horizon in a way I had been afraid to do in my 20s.

2. We’re all just people

Moving to a new country was settling in every way.

I felt like I lost myself. Who was I after all? Why was I now Black? This had never been a thing before.

What side of me would shine, or be accepted in this new environment? Should I even be worrying about that?

How come nobody understands what I’m saying? I’m speaking English.

How come I can’t understand what my professor just said? He’s speaking English. Isn’t he?🤔

Nothing prepares you for such experiences. You just jump in and figure it out. At the end of the day, you realize we’re all just people navigating our way around this crazy and interesting world. Culture shock and identity crises are all part of the package.

3. Starting over is a humbling experience and it teaches you compassion.

Humility is a trait that isn’t necessarily celebrated in our culture. We associate it with weakness, a lack of presence.

There were many times in those first few years when I felt inadequate because I was unfamiliar with how things worked. Going to the bank was a new experience. The teller looked at me funny when I asked to open a current account.

I had to get comfortable with asking a lot of questions and dealing with some impatient and incredulous looks.

Starting over was also financially painful for me. I felt like I had to drown before I could swim. The experience made me more sympathetic to others. I’m more aware of the power of a knowing smile that says, I understand; I’ve been there. 👣

Bottom-line, I’m grateful for the life I get to live, even with all its ups and downs. I guess this is one of the biggest lessons of all, to never take anything for granted.

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