How Living Abroad As An Expat Changed My Life

How Being An Expat Changed Me was updated in March 2025.

Being an expat was one of my life’s hardest and most rewarding experiences. My everyday life was upended with hardships like culture shock and learning a new language different from my home country.

As an expat, I learned to get creative and build a foundation in a new place. In my journey, I learned new ways of being and different ways to solve problems.

The friends I made while living in a new country have become like my family, and I wouldn’t change that for the world. My eyes opened to a greater world I would have never known existed had I not stepped out of my comfort zone. 

I Became Who I Wanted To Be 

When I first moved abroad to Japan, I was terrified to return back to my own culture in the United States. As an expat, I was able to become the young woman I always wanted to be.

I feel this would have never been achieved had I not embraced my new life and allowed my curiosity to lead me wherever the wind seemed to take me. Personally, I love who I am now versus the girl I was.

The changes I went through wouldn’t have been possible because my friends and family were so locked into who I used to be. Going through life, people grow and change.

Many core aspects of my personality have not changed (such as my awesome sense of humor), while others have.

I’m Comfortable Being Alone

One of the hardest lessons I ever had to learn was that I have always been different from most people. While my peers were busy with their careers, partners, and building families, I traveled to different places.

I’ve lived a life most people only dream of.

My linguistics professor from Illinois State University came to Okinawa to visit his in-laws. He told me, “You’ve changed so much. You won’t be able to go back to the life you’ve lived before. You’ll probably be so bored dating a guy in America.”

He has no idea how true his statement rings and how many social norms I’ve defied by choosing to march to the beat of my own drum. The 2020 pandemic, while living in South Korea, taught me how to be resilient.

Living in Japan taught me how to be kinder and respectful to my fellow humans. And that looking out for one another does, in fact, make the world a better place. 

I Love My Home Country, But I Am Critical Of It 

Living overseas, I also realized why the rest of the world doesn’t like Americans… And I can understand why. We kinda suck.

Many Americans feel super entitled and that the world should bend to their whim. What makes the way we do things better than everyone else?

Why should others speak English for our benefit? We may not agree with some things done in a different country, but it still doesn’t make it wrong. 

I can see how corrupt America is based on the politics (*coughs* Agent Orange *coughs*) and the health care system.

As an outsider in Japan and South Korea looking in, I saw how being courteous and polite to others goes a long way. In Asia, I watched how education is a key to the future.

I could go down the rabbit hole with this one, but I digress. 

Home Is Where You Make It

Despite yearning to go back and live abroad, home truly is where you make it. Despite absolutely hating the state of Texas (which is my least favorite place I’ve ever lived), I have made many friends here and do my best to be positive every day. 

My heart may very well still be in Chicago, but it’s also in Japan and South Korea. Home is where your heart is most full.

Learning Asian Languages is Cool 

When I was growing up, my classmates made fun of me for the way I talked. My mom’s second language is English, so back then, she had a very strong accent.

My brother and I would pronounce things the way she did. And because kids are assholes, they pointed it out. I didn’t let anyone know I could speak Spanish or Italian for a long time. 

But speaking other languages is FUCKING COOL. While living in Japan, I began to learn to speak Japanese because I wanted to make friends, date cute boys, and understand Big Bang’s Japanese lyrics. 

While living in Korea, I learned to read Hangul in an afternoon and took KIIP courses where I learned Korean in Korean. I’m very proud of speaking five languages; it’s one of my proudest achievements to date. 

I Spend Money On Experiences Rather Than Stuff

While exploring Asia, I climbed mountains, swam in rivers, and played with exotic animals. My love language is very much, “I booked our tickets abroad and planned the trip.”

I would be so bored going to the movies and dinner as a date when I would rather go to new places. One aspect of American culture I absolutely hate is our cultural norms of keeping up with the Joneses. 

At the end of the day, I don’t care about buying a new home or car. This life is short and I’d rather be telling my adult nieces and nephews about the exciting adventures I’ve had and all the life lessons I learned rather than regrets. 

I’m More Open Minded

Before, I never wanted to hear the other person’s side of the story or step into their shoes. But then I met one of the most amazing people, and she taught me a lot about life. 

“Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.”

And that hit me hard. She lived her life with childlike wonder and was always excited for new places, experiences, and people.

I learned that it’s okay to talk to others with different viewpoints and understand why they see and do things the way they do. However, the downside is that this is a self-awareness and emotional intelligence skill… 

And a lot of people all around the world lack this skill. But, when you look for the common denominator, you can always meet halfway. 

In Conclusion

Living abroad has set me apart from many of my American counterparts who have never left the country. I feel more at home with other people who have lived abroad.

Sadly, my rescue Pomeranian Honey has been to more States and countries than many of my American counterparts who don’t even have a passport. Being an expat since 2012 has been a privilege. I’ll never forget that. Having an education landed me in many foreign countries to teach English, learn the language, and experience the culture.

I am a child of the world. Many of the things I’ve learned have helped shape me as a better person.

It made me more empathetic and willing to step out of my shoes and see things differently. I will forever be grateful that being an expat changed me forever and for the better. 

This post contains affiliate links which means at no additional cost to you, I make a small commission to help keep Gina Bear’s Blog running. Thanks for your support!

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