Why I Like Living Abroad

Heading back home for the first time in 14 months means my schedule is packed full of reunions with friends and family. A common question I know many of my friends and family will be asking me is, “what do you like about living abroad”? A completely reasonable question to someone who decided to uproot her life and move to a foreign country away from her friends and family.

So why do I like living abroad? What makes it worth it to be away from everyone and start a new life 4,000 miles away? Of course the obviously answer is the Viking, but I am a girl that needs more in her life than a man to keep her happy and sane in a foreign land.

So what is keeping me abroad?

Everyday is an Adventure

Sure I do the same Monday-Friday routine like everyone else living the daily work grind, but let me tell you, my Monday-Friday in Iceland is nothing like what it was in the states. Simple daily tasks like having a meeting with my co-workers or going to the grocery store quickly becomes an adventure.

I never know what my day will hold, who I will meet, what countries I will learn about and what languages I will be surrounded by. And you know what, it is a blast! I don’t want my life to feel like it is just passing me by in one big blur. Nothing like living outside your comfort zone on a daily basis to make you really present in each moment!

You never know who you will meet

Since moving to Iceland I have made friends from countries from around the world. Just the other night I was out with a group of friends and all 8 of us were from a different country, how cool is that! I am lucky to work in an international environment so even in my work life I am constantly meeting new people from all over the world. Of course I miss my close friends and family but I must say getting to meet so many people from different countries and learning about their cultures is a pretty awesome thing.

Your Grow In So Many Ways

Now that I am returning home after living abroad for 14 months I can feel how much I have changed just in my conversations with my family and friends. All of those uncomfortable situations I have found myself in this past year have helped shape me into the person I am today. As I am meeting everyone and telling them about what I have been doing in Iceland I am full of new experiences to share and accomplishments that I am ridiculously proud. I have grown in ways that never seemed possible when I was living inside my comfort zone in Oregon and I know I have this past year to thank for that.

Your Itinerary is full of the unknown

Moving abroad I clearly have a passion for travel and seeing the world. I love the fact that a trip to Europe can quickly be added to my itinerary with just a few weeks notice. Or the fact that I can’t tell you 100 percent where I will be living in 6 months. As someone who use to plan every little detail of her life this unknown feeling took some getting use to but now I thrive off not knowing what each month has in store.

You view nothing as impossible

After having my share of ups and downs this past year I am coming back home feelings like I have really made a great life for myself in Iceland. I feel like if I can survive and thrive in life while living in a foreign country I can succeed in anything I put my mind to. The confidence in myself that I have gained this past year in Iceland is something I don’t know if I would have found living at home in my comfort zone. Taking risks is still an uncomfortable thing for me but I have found that those risks that do pay off, those are what make life so wonderful!

Basically all these points have the same thing in common, I love the adventure life abroad brings and I am so glad I chose to make the move abroad and live my life with no regrets. Now I am off to share these things with my friends and family and convince them all the move to Iceland with me. Wish me luck!

Question of the Day?
To my fellow expats, why do you like living abroad?