What 15 Years of Living Abroad Has Taught Me (Before You Take the Leap)

It all started with one yes.

In my last blog post, I shared how I went through the process, both literally and emotionally, of accepting my first teaching job in Cairo, Egypt, back in 2010. That decision changed the entire course of my life.

I wanted to expand on that story and share what 15 years of living abroad has taught me along the way - the lessons I couldn’t have learned any other way. My hope is that this post inspires you to take your own leap, trust yourself, and maybe even say yes to something that feels a little (or a lot!) scary.

Lesson #1: Community is everything abroad - but staying connected to home matters too

Zermatt, Switzerland

When you’re living in a foreign country and don’t know anyone, the community you create becomes incredibly important. I’ve always found it easier to form deep friendships with colleagues abroad, something that doesn’t always happen as naturally at home. When everyone is outside their comfort zone, beautiful relationships tend to grow quickly.

At the same time, I’ve stayed deeply connected to my family and friends back home. I’ve had the same close group of friends since high school and college, and moving away never created distance between us. In some ways, it brought us closer. Many of them have come to visit me abroad, and when I’m home during the summer, I have long, unhurried time to reconnect.

So yes! It’s possible to build meaningful relationships wherever you go (I even met my husband while living in Bangkok), while still holding onto the people who have known you the longest.

Lesson #2: You don’t have to have everything figured out

To be honest, I rarely know exactly what I’m walking into when I move to a new country or accept a new job. I do my research, prepare as much as I can, and then remind myself to stay flexible.

Housing almost always looks different than what I’m used to. Daily life feels unfamiliar at first. Instead of seeing these differences as obstacles, I try to see them as opportunities - chances to learn how other people live and what really matters.

I also don’t usually know where I’ll end up when I begin applying for international teaching jobs (more on that in another post). Keeping an open mind has led me to places I never would have chosen on paper, and some of my favorite chapters began that way.

Lesson #3: Fear doesn’t automatically mean you’re making the wrong choice

Whew! I’ve been scared more times than I can count. What’s helped me most is learning not to run from that fear.

Instead of focusing on everything that could go wrong, I try to imagine what could go right. Fear often shows up when we’re standing at the edge of growth. Sometimes it’s just excitement wearing a disguise.

A life without fear might feel safe. But it would also be smaller. Leaning into fear has led me to experiences I never could have planned, and I wouldn’t trade that for comfort.

Lesson #4: There will be difficult moments - and that’s normal

Lisbon, Portugal

Living abroad isn’t always easy or glamorous. There have been moments that tested me deeply, like being stuck in Beijing for three years during the pandemic, unable to see my family or friends back home.

What has always helped me is remembering that I’m not alone. Others living abroad are often feeling the same homesickness, frustration, and uncertainty. That shared experience creates a powerful support system.

Hard moments pass. And when they do, you’re often left stronger, or at the very least, with a story that reminds you what you’re capable of!

Lesson #5: Home becomes a feeling, not a place

I’ve packed up my life and moved houses more times than I can count. At first, each move felt strange. Not just because it was a new home, but because it existed in a completely different culture, rhythm, and way of life.

Over time, I realized that home stopped being tied to a specific location. Instead, it became about the people I shared meals with, the routines I built, and the sense of belonging I created for myself wherever I landed.

Home, I’ve learned, isn’t always where you’re from. It’s where you feel grounded, understood, and at ease.

Venice, Italy

Lesson #6: You will change - and that’s the whole point.

Living abroad has changed me in ways I couldn’t have predicted. My values shifted. My confidence grew. My definition of success softened and expanded at the same time.

You can’t move through different cultures, languages, and ways of living without being shaped by them. And that change isn’t something to fear - it’s the reward!

If you return home different than when you left, that doesn’t mean you lost yourself. It means you grew.

Conclusion

If there’s one thing living abroad has taught me, it’s that you don’t need to have your entire life mapped out to begin. You just need curiosity, courage, and a willingness to grow. The lessons come later, through friendships, challenges, homesickness, joy, and the quiet moments when you realize how much you’ve changed.

Saying yes to Cairo didn’t give me all the answers. It gave me experiences, perspective, and a life that feels full in ways I never could have imagined back then. Wherever you are in your journey - dreaming, planning, or standing on the edge of a big decision - know that it’s okay to be unsure. Sometimes one yes is all it takes to change everything!

Until next time — keep saying yes to the adventure.