So, where is Home?

Dear Friends,

If your social media feeds are filled with people studying or working abroad, you're likely being presented with a skewed reality of what life abroad is really like. Most of what you see is the glamorous, curated highlight reel of adventures, food, culture, and the underlying message seems to be that living abroad is all exciting and glorious.

But in reality? It's not always like that.

I first moved abroad at the age of 17. Since then, I’ve lived (by which I mean staying for at least a month, not just travelling) in five countries: the UK, France, Thailand, Singapore, and Japan. While I genuinely believe that these experiences have helped me grow by becoming more mature, open minded, and curious about the world, they’ve also come at a cost: a loss of the sense of “home”, of belonging, of being settled.

Every time I arrive in a new place, there’s always a part of me that whispers, Don’t get too attached. It’s a defence mechanism, a fear of having to leave again so soon. And because of that, it takes conscious, extra effort to truly settle in: to get to know the place, the people, and slowly assimilate.

So, maybe you're living abroad right now (whether it's your first time, second, or fifth like me) and the question “So, where is home?” is starting to feel a little uncomfortable. If that’s you, my advice is this: don’t fight the discomfort. Accept that you’re allowed to have more than one home. Lean into the discomfort, and take small, intentional steps to make your current place feel like “home”.

Someone once gave me the advice to “Live as if you’re going to stay for the rest of your life.” Join the local Facebook groups. Find your favourite café. Learn the language. Make a few local friends. I promise, even small efforts can make your days feel more vibrant, connected, and meaningful. And isn’t that the point of life, after all?

Till next time!

Love,

Aislin