It’s exciting moving abroad. Everything is new and different. But at what point does it STOP being exciting? We have news – the honeymoon doesn’t have to end! It’s a mindset, and all up to you.
Rose-Anne, our Head of Admissions, recalls her time living in Asia and offers advice on how to keep that sense of excitement alive.
NOTE: This thought process can be applied to living in the vibrant city of Bangkok, the paradise island of Bali, or culture-rich and laid back Siem Reap, home to our three training centres. Each destination has its unique charm and lifestyle. If you’re planning a move abroad, embrace the changes!
How long after moving to (slot in the appropriate location) a tropical island/bustling city/the countryside, does it stop feeling as though you are on holiday? In the beginning, you’ll still be in awe of everything: the food, how different everything is, the interesting sights, the markets, new things to do, new people. All the excitement can make it rather hard to believe that your new move is not one long holiday, but now a way of life. Yes, we go to work and deal with everyday chores, but getting into a new routine should not mean slipping back into a rut, or re-entering the proverbial rat race.
Those expats who have been there for some time may have forgotten what drew them in the first place. Perhaps it was for the climate or a for a new job, maybe they stayed for love or just by chance. Whatever the reason, I challenge you to constantly remind yourself why remember the reasons and re-ignite that passion that made you want to do the move in the first place.
I often hear expats complaining about life in Asia. They gripe and grumble about matters such as ‘Thai/Cambodian time’, bad roads (if they’re on an island or the countryside), frustrating ways of the local people, a lack of culture or the fact that their town is too small. I say embrace these things. Thai time – fantastic! Who wants to be caught up in the rush again anyway?
Too small? There is a lot to be said for living in a small community, rather than just being another nameless face in a city of skyscrapers. If you fancy a bit of city life, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Singapore or KL are not so far away. (yes, we are talking about times when travel was easier pre-pandemic, but it will be that way again in the not too distant future). Other issues aside, nowhere else in the world will you get as many genuine smiles in one day. As a woman, nowhere else on my travels have I felt so safe and never threatened. Is that alone not worth a few frustrations or bumpy roads?
In December, for every plane-load of tourists that arrives to Cambodia, Thailand or Bali, a plane leaves packed with expats going ‘home’ for Christmas. As the countdown began to the anticipated departure date, you can overhear the conversations in the expat hangouts, all centred along the lines of ‘I can’t wait to experience some culture’ or ‘It will be great to be back in civilization again’ and even ‘I’m looking forward to a proper English breakfast’. Why is it that human nature never allows us to be satisfied with what we have?
Let’s avoid clichés such as ‘the grass is always greener on the other side’, but this seems so apt in this case. All of those griping about SE Asia and longing to escape back to the Western world, have forgotten the flaws of so-called civilisation that made Asia seem so ideal when they first moved here. Walking past these same expat hangouts in mid-January, and you see the same people recalling their trips back home to each other. Not surprisingly, many cut their trips short, the lure of SE Asia calling them back sooner than anticipated. ‘I couldn’t handle the European weather’ one said. ‘I forgot how irritating my relatives are at family gatherings’ recalled another.
I’ll take bumpy roads any time over toll roads, traffic congestion and road rage. Civilisation, what exactly is that? Give me a quaint local food stand and bar any day over a pretentious ‘trendy’ hangout. So when exactly is the holiday over, you ask? Only when you let it be, I say.
© Rose-Anne Turner
