The choice to move abroad is a thrilling one, and also a difficult one. It will be one of the biggest choices of your life. I absolutely encourage anyone to try living abroad for at least a short amount of time. And longer isn't always better - sometimes you need just enough time to meet some locals and get into a comfortable routine that doesn't feel like you're pressed for time on vacation. At that point you can consider a place your home and know what it's like to be immersed in a culture completely unlike your own. It will be quite a ride, and it's certainly not always easy. But the lessons you learn while away are massively valuable and will teach you things you didn't even know you didn't know. It will change your life and your perspective permanently. Here are some reasons why.
Your life is not all about you. There is a lot going on in the world; too much even. it's rather impossible for us to wrap our heads around the amount of activity that is happening every second of the day. It's a humbling thought, and when you step into a new city and see ALL that is going on - happy people, conversations, marketplaces and trade, your senses awake to this realization and you feel part of the buzz. You realize that each place never stops and has something beautiful to experience, whether that's phenomenal or tragic. It's an addicting feeling to experience the fresh environment of a new place, you will start to focus on others and the world around you rather than yourself. There are so many ways you can help others and make a small imprint on someone's life, from brightening someone's day with a friendly chat, to volunteering somewhere you'd like to give back to.
Your country is not the center of the world. Maybe you already know this, but from my experience, it needs to be said considered before you travel abroad. For those who feel like they live in the greatest country in the world - you must realize that other nationalities think THEY live in the greatest country in the world. And that's a beautiful thing. They know what is good about their country, and they want you to know it too. This could be the beautiful parks, the booming tech industry providing jobs, the coffee culture, the amazing barbecue, the walk-ability in the cities, the fantastic wine, the ease of travel, the cheap orange juice on the street, or the pure friendliness and hospitality of the people.
Whatever it is, each place has something DIFFERENT to offer that you won't see back home, and you will see this when you first arrive with fresh eyes. Many people will not know much about your home country, nor will they be very interested; and that's ok. This is YOUR chance to learn what's outside.
You will get better at speaking up for yourself. It's a necessary skill to ask for help sometimes, and this will get more comfortable as you learn to approach people. Once you speak to someone, the feeling of connection and relief is amazing. Have you ever experienced the magical feeling of going from a complete outsider to feeling like you suddenly belong? On your own in a new place, you are a fish out of water. You think people are looking at you, you don't know a single soul in sight, much less what direction you're walking. A conversation with a stranger can change all of that, and suddenly you are the same as others going about their day, but you are a little more grounded in this city than before - it's becoming your city! It's a powerful feeling.
When speaking with other people, you will talk about yourself, your plans, your culture or reasons for travel and it will make you feel GOOD about your choices and stronger to be deciding these things for yourself. If something goes wrong during your travels, and it WILL at some point, you will muster up the courage to say something and sort it out. Sometimes we are forced into these situations, and they can be especially tricky in a foreign language. Your ability to handle yourself, communicate and keep a cool head will be tested, and you will be a better person for learning from these experiences.
You will learn that normality is completely relative. We were brought up with our own cultural set of manners, habits and correct ways to do things. These are ingrained in us at a very young age and we don't even consider them - until our cultural world is thrown upside down. It can make you feel like a child to not understand new cultural norms, and that can be uncomfortable and hard on our ego.
While eating at a restaurant, you might be giggled at for requesting a knife and fork, something that has always been a standard practice, but why is it funny now?! Or maybe you must learn how to yell at the waiter and demand attention every time you want something. This can be incredibly rude in the USA, so it might be really uncomfortable. But if you don't, you will be sitting at your table unserved, waiting to be noticed. Hand gestures, attire and manners on public transportation are some difficult norms that we sometimes must re-learn, and in the process, we are accepting people and understanding that our ways are not the only ways.
You will learn to find joy in mundane activities. Get a soda from that strange looking vending machine. Wash your clothes in the laundromat on the corner, and you get to buy some foreign soap while you're at it! Walk down the sidewalks and see new species of flowers and plants you've never seen before. Learn how to order the local take-out food when you want a night in. Take these exciting little tasks and bring them back home with you. Learn to love your city and love the little mundane tasks you do in your everyday life. To someone else, they are incredibly exciting and new. Appreciate the people in your home neighborhood whom you see every day and feel lucky for everything you have near you. It's a beautiful skill. Which leads me into the next point...
You will learn to be more thankful for everything you have. You don't need to travel to a poor region of the world for this one. While doing that does put things into perspective in a big way, I'm also I am also talking about the small things we might not blink an eye at when we are home; but suddenly you take notice when you don't have them. Our homes with kitchens; our own bedding. How easy it is to communicate. The access to good health care. The clarity of filling out paperwork or paying bills. Seeing people work long hours in different parts of the world. Realizing that hurricanes are something you never have to worry about at home. There's no better way to gain thanks for what you have than having it gone. It's easy to fall in love with a new place, but often that place will come with other headaches and heartaches that you will not see in a short span of time. Your world might not be perfect, but it could always be worse. Cherish what you have and always remember the good parts.