Living Abroad?

Moved from UK to US 15 years ago

I emigrated to Oz from the UK over 7 years ago now.

Never looked back, a great move.

Not to say the UK is awful but Oz just suits me more.

I lived in Germany for 3 years and traveled all over Europe during that time. It was really great. I found low-cost German lessons on-post and then continued it as tutoring after those classes finished.

German tends to be a country of very polite people for the most part. Kids and animals behave better, too, there. Whenever in public and a bunch of teens were behaving badly and loudly they were always, without an exception in my 3 years there, American kids there because their parent(s) was military stationed there.

The only exception I found to this was little old ladies at sales/bazaars. They will elbow you right out of the way lol.

Things are more expensive due to how well the Euro is doing compared to the dollar.

Neat little differences like for going to the movies you can reserve your seat some places.

I really loved it there and hope to go back at some point.

i moved from the UK to Australia about 10 years ago - never looked back! if you get the chance i think its amazing to experience different cultures whether that’s for a few months or indefinitely! :happy:

I haven't lived in Europe but I lived in Mumbai, India for almost 2 years. After just landing there, it was a culture shock and I wasn't sure for a while if I could cut it. Once I started working and made more friends, it was a lot of fun!! But very expensive to live!! Almost like NYC. As far as weight loss goes, it is MUCH easier to lose and maintain there than it is here! I walked a lot and used public transportation which contributed a lot to that! I miss it now. But, keep in mind, every place has its pros and cons. It depends on your preferences.

What was the hardest part of transitioning over to a new country(and/or language!)?

I have to finish college first, but I am thinking of studying abroad in Rome during my Junior year. I hope to live in England or Ireland...maybe. Or Italy perhaps. I really don't know where I want to live, other than Europe! :laugh:

ITALY. So beautiful there.

I have, I lived in South Korea for about 7 months and I LOVED it! I had to come back for my degree but ah, I wish I had stayed. It was amazing. I will be moving there permanently after completing my degree.

There were of course some bad sides to this, mainly when I first went I could hardly speak Korean but it just gives you that push to learn a little harder (No matter where you go I really recommend learning the language) depending on country, there is also the cultural differences to take into consideration, but as long as you do research before moving it should be fine.

When it comes to socialising it can be either very easy or very difficult depending on your personality and how forward you can be. E.g. I was very lonely at the start until I gained the courage to talk to people (Not randomly in the street but students in the library) I use to stalk those who were studying English to try and start a conversation and it worked pretty well. Before I knew it I had many friends.

Go for it, you only live once and it's a great experience.

I have not, but I plan on doing the same thing eventually.

My mom however, has. She is just about to land in Singapore (flying from Canada, BC), where she will teach for at least two years! I know that this is the experience of a lifetime, and she deserves it more than anyone I know. She is recently divorced and all of her kids finally have moved out of the house. I might join her and take her up on her free housing offer

I say if you want to do it, go for it. Life was not meant to be spent doing the same thing in the same place forever. We have all of these tools to travel and experience the wonders of the world at our fingertips. Why not take a chance and enjoy what the world has to offer? As for language, the best way to learn is to submerge yourself in with the locals. Bring a little book, and learn from there.

Sooo...who's done it?

I'm thinking in the next 5-10 years I want to make the move over to Europe. Has anybody else done it? Or vice versa(Europe to US)? I'd love to hear about everybodys experiences!

Europe is a mess right now. Things are not great in the US, but the Eurozone. Wow. :grumble:

Spent a year living in Thailand teaching an English language program at a private school and loved it. Kick myself daily for not just coming home for a visit and going back.

It's an awesome experience to live somewhere else in the world and I definitely intend to do so again.