How living overseas has changed me

A fellow blogger asked me recently how living overseas has changed me, and this post is my answer. This is not the same as ‘Why Everyone Should Live Overseas.’ Of course some of the items below may have developed without moving overseas, but living overseas has certainly facilitated the process.

I won’t tag anyone, but I would be interested to hear of other expats’ lists—feel free to pick up on it and do your own, then let me know here!

 1. National Pride

Living overseas has helped me to understand national pride in other countries, helped me to feel the greatness of other nations, and helped me to feel pride in being a small part of the history of that nation. Just listen to Jerusalem sung in a school choir or at a 500 year old church and you’ll feel patriotic for Britain no matter what country you’re from!

When I am back in the States I now see America differently—with fresh eyes, appreciate it more as a unique and wonderful place. I was patriotic before I left the States, but now I feel my patriotism has matured and grown into a more objective love and respect for my home country.

2. Appreciation of Human History

Living overseas in a country with a recorded history of 2000 years, (and evidence of much longer human habitation) has given me a greater appreciation for human history globally.  Years of American History classes gave me a flawed impression that a 300-year-old house in New England was old. Now I know that a 2000-year-old Roman wall in the middle of The City (the financial district in London) is old.

I was always aware that Native American history in the parts of the States where I grew up was thousands of years old, but with so little visible evidence it was more difficult to recall this fact daily. Living with 2000 year old history everyday makes me much more aware of how humans stay the same, and reminds me that we have been amazing for thousands of years, not just since the Industrial Age.

3. Wanderlust

Living overseas and having great opportunities for further overseas travel has developed my natural curiosity. When I was in 2^nd grade and had the chicken pox my mom read Treasure Island to me.  This was the first time I imagined traveling far away and from that moment Wanderlust grew inside me.  From Treasure Island to distant National Geographic locations, I wanted to go there and see the world for myself.

4. Food

Living overseas has provided opportunities for trying a greater variety of food: including jellied eels, unsweetened whipped cream, scones and clotted cream (a cream tea), bangers and mash, and of course sticky toffee pudding to name just a few.

5. Friendships

Making friends with other expats and their transient lives makes me feel more relaxed about my friendships. I’ve noticed that there is much less of the schoolyard bickering amongst expat friendships compared to non-expat groups and I think this is because our expectations are different.

6. Family

Missing my family has changed the way I raise my children. I have had to miss weddings and funerals, and my close family has missed events in my life all because of the cost of travel between the two countries.  I have realized that although Major Life Events are important, and it is important for family and friends to share them, consistent contact through out the year is more important. I have no idea where I’ll be after retirement, or where my children will settle as adults, but I do know that I have taught them to stay in touch and not wait until they can afford That Big Holiday to catch up with me.  Skype, international calling and texting, email and blogs are all a great help in this.

7. Free Healthcare

I now take free healthcare for granted, and feel very strongly that everyone should be able to say the same.

8. Self-sufficient

I am now more confident in my abilities to get on with life. I am more self-sufficient in all ways than I would have been if I had stayed near my family.

9. Manners and Style

Living in Britain has given me better manners and a better sense of style, for example: don’t eat while walking down the street, don’t say ‘she said’ (who’s she, the cat’s mother?), tennis shoes are not the only comfortable walking shoes, big baggy t-shirts might be comfortable American college wear but they do not work on thirtysomething women.

 

Michelloui is an American who has lived in the UK for 19 years. Although she loves Britain, she reamins steadfastly American and now has a Mid-Atlantic accent to match her Mid-Atlantic culture. Her Blog is Mid-Atlantic English or How I learned to stop worrying and love the host culture (tips for enjoying your life abroad)

Photo Credit: dionhinchcliffe

Comments

[Brit In Bosnia]

I like the idea of a tag. I'm going to think about these and get back to you.

Thanks for your thoughts, I do identify with many of them, especially the ones about family and friendships.

[Michelle]

BiB--looking forward to hearing your version!

[A Modern Mother]

Yes, good question and needs a bit of thought, back later...

[Joanne Mallon]

Thank you for a very thought-provoking post which I've included in our round up of best mummy blogs here: http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2009/07/03/mummy-bloggers-friday-round-up/

all the best

Joanne

[Michelle]

Thanks Joanne! Good to learn about Parent Dish as well, a really interesting site. Have listed it in my Lovely Links section.

[The Indians Abroad]

Very complete and thoughtful post. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[Passion Play Group Tours]

Interesting. I'm little confused about how singing a song titled "Jerusalem" can make you feel patriotic in Britain. I haven't had the chance to stay in a different country for more than a few weeks, but I do enjoy the whole process of learning a culture's quirks and priorities.