Three Ways to Reinvent Yourself Abroad

By Tobias White

Being surrounded by new people and influenced by new cultures, there is never a better time to reinvent yourself and make some changes in your life than when you are moving abroad. Life in another country provides a new environment and new incentives to change yourself for the better. It’s an opportunity which shouldn’t be missed! Here are three ways to do it!

Take Up a New Hobby

Taking up a hobby abroad is a great idea and wonderful way to add to your life. Interests provide us with hobbies which keep the mind active and healthy, removing us from work and allowing us to focus on an activity solely for fun. The more quality and rewarding hobbies you have, the more content you will be. Taking up a new hobby can also help to make you feel more at home by distracting your mind from the concerns of adapting to life in a new country, and it’s a great way of making new friends. Furthermore, it is a great opportunity to learn something new and try out activities which don’t exist in the countries we were born and raised in. Mastering a new hobby could be anything from cross-country skiing in Scandinavia to playing petanque in France.

One particularly fitting hobby to take up would be learning a language; an amazing opportunity with many benefits! If you’re moving to a country where your mother tongue is not spoken, learning a language will not only help you settle in and make your life abroad easier, but it will help you become a culturally aware, multilingual person — qualities which are appreciated by everyone. Multilingualism can open new doors in the work place as well. It is an invaluable skill and amazing for your career prospects.

Assess What’s Really Important in Your Life and Act On it

One amazing thing about living abroad is that it allows you to take a step back from life at home and see the bigger picture. Free of certain situations, stress, and your usual social circles, it’s possible to evaluate everything with a clear mind and to realize certain things that you may have never realized before. Assess what’s really important in your life — and act on it! For example, this could be your chance to cut out bad habits that aren’t beneficial to you, such as smoking or drinking alcohol.

It could even aid you in realizing how important family and friends are to you. Set yourself targets which help to improve these relationships and attribute your time to those who need and value it the most; call home regularly, send gifts and mementos to loved ones, and plan appropriately to maximize the time that you have with them.

After reflecting on your current situation, you can make sure you prioritize what you deem necessary and re-shape your life to better value these things, as well as ridding yourself of unnecessary hassle and strife. By taking these steps, you can become a happier, more care-free person.

Document Your Experience and Share It with the World

As an expat, you are blessed with the experience of living in a country different to the one you grew up in. For the next generation, your experience is invaluable and, by sharing it with the world, you could help future expats to learn more about their next destination and expat life in general. If you have found a way to fully make the most out of your time abroad — why not show others how to do the same.

Blogging is a fantastic way to achieve this, and it’s becoming ever more popular in today’s world. Expats such as yourselves have a unique perspective of the world which is valued and should be shared. These are perspectives experienced only by few, and all too often not celebrated as they should be. In sharing these perspectives and educating the next generation of global minds, expat blogs of all types have a role to play. Writing a blog will also provide you with a series of memories to look back on and is guaranteed to provide you with a fascinating account of your time as an expat. Maybe you will look back one day and be surprised about the transition you have gone through and the many ways in which being an expat allowed you to re-invent yourself.

About Tobias White

Tobias White is a German, Russian, and European Studies student at the University of Bath. He is originally from Bristol, a city in the south-west of England. Tobias loves traveling, and he spent the first half of his year abroad studying in Moscow.

Article Topics

Relocation

Moving with children? Take time to choose the right school!

Finding a new school can be one of the more stressful aspects of moving abroad. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of school, and options may be rather limited in some countries. InterNations member Chris has some tips to make things a little easier.
Top Digital Tools for Expats

Challenges are there to be overcome! But that doesn’t mean you can’t look for ways to make your adventure abroad a little easier — whether you’re traveling or moving to a new place far from home. Let’s delve into this topic to find out the digital tools that have you covered.
Discover the Top 5 Countries for Adventurous Expats

A job. Love. Finances. Or the search for a better quality of life. There are many reasons why you might have moved (or be interested in moving) abroad — including a personal challenge. But where should you go? Check out our top 5 countries for the adventurous soul!
Embracing Local Living: How You Can Quickly Feel at Home in a New Country

Integrating into a different culture might seem challenging. But with a few strategies, it’s possible to feel at home in a relatively short time. Here are some tips specifically for you to adapt and embrace your new cultural surroundings quickly.
Top 10 Tips for Staying Healthy While Abroad

Starting a new life in a new country is an incredible adventure, but it comes with a lot of baggage. It is normal to stress out and disregard your health if you are dealing with lots of things in a short time. Here are some practical and essential tips for staying healthy while living as an expat.