I have a little project doing and I am curious to find out a few things from people: If you moved to a country of your choice (not in North America), where would you go, why, and what are at least five things you would miss most about your country and town/city that you live in now? Or if you want, what are at least five things you’d miss about the country you’re from.
I’ll go first:
- Family – Is seeing family 1-2 times per a year enough? That’s as much as I see my family. I need to take advantage of telecommunications technologies more (video chat, etc), but does that replace physical presence?
- Friends – I have friends scattered all over the world already, so I know what it means to miss friends you’re close with and deal with the fact you may never see them in person again. Thank god for e-mail and Facebook!
- Shopping – This is a bit superficial, I admit. However, when you live in a country where you can’t find your usual comfort foods from back home, for example, it adds to the stress of living abroad. For example, there’s no Hershey’s chocolate in Hungary (I know, how backwards of them!) and there’s no Túró Rudi in the U.S. (Americans don’t like cottage cheese chocolate bars?! SOO DELICIOUS!). Also, with store names like Tesco and Profi, you wonder if those can match up with the Wal-Marts and Krogers you’re use to in America.
- Language – We all have only one mother tongue (ok, some of us have a father tongue too), but if you move to a country where they don’t speak your native language, communication (one of the most fundamental requirements of society) becomes hampered. In America, everyone expects demands you speak English. In other countries they are thrilled beyond belief if you attempt to speak their language. Think about that for a moment.
- The little things – In the end, isn’t it all about the little things? Things such as hand gestures, street signs, restaurant etiquette, using services such as postal mail or absentee voting, and television you don’t really think about until you move abroad. Simply put, all the little things and the object they add up to.
To be honest, I really only miss #1 and #2. I see #3, #4 and #5 as differences, not necessarily bad. Just because it’s different doesn’t make it bad (contrary to the thoughts of many people of a certain nationality). I personally love differences and do all I can to meet different people, do different things, eat different foods and experience the different in life. That’s why I’ve lived/live where I have. Growing up and living in the same place is fine for some people, but I’m built a little differently.
Blacksburg has been great to me. It’s been different enough for me to keep me happy. I found a community of Hungarians (including my roommate) to hang out with. I have good friends from Germany, Italy, Iran, Turkey and a number of other countries. Only in America (in select parts) can all those nationalities be friends (and date in some instances). Think about that. How truly wonderful is that? It’s like world peace in our little piece of Virginia called Blacksburg.
If we all lived, learned and enjoyed the differences of others what would we have to hate? I know, it’s corny. But if you ever wanted to know my motivation behind anything I do, it’s to live differently and experience as much as I can.
My Project
So my little project is this: What is holding people back from experiencing what they really want to do in life?
I hear people say, I want a motorcycle, I want to learn to fly, I want to go sky diving, I want to go to Europe, I want to learn a foreign language, I want to… So what’s holding you back? Money isn’t the issue. You have most of your life to save up for it. You don’t have to do it right now. Make a list of things you want to do and go for it; have a plan. Besides, what’s a life without dreams?
So if you could help me out in my little project, leave a comment below with your chosen country and at least five things that’s holding you back from uprooting and moving abroad to that country. If you want to share other thoughts having to do with what I’ve mentioned above I’d love to hear them and you’d be helping me out a great deal.
Thanks! Köszi! Danke!
