Have you ever been away in different countries for such a long period of time? Do you prefer travelling abroad or experiencing life in new places? I have been experiencing these both actually and I would say it’s worth spending time and money to get the experience and broaden our vision about the world.
I was born and raised in a peaceful village located in a rural area in the southern Vietnam. Since I was a kid, I was always wondering what if I had had a chance to study and to live in another country because I felt so admired about people living abroad and I thought it would be awesome to be one of them. But it has never happened until I was 28 when I got an opportunity to study in Canada. People said that I should not go there since I was not young enough to do so and it was insane because I had to leave behind my dream job, my family, friends and loved one just to satisfy my desire of discovering the world. I also doubt about my decision sometimes, actually.
How living in different countries matter?
Back then when I was in Vietnam, I worked for one of the most well-known companies and had many chances to travel across provinces as well as to other nations. Apart from working, I often spent time with colleagues to discover local destinations, foods and cultures, as also a way to relieve myself from stress and pressure. However, there was something hidden in my soul told me that I needed more than that, because travelling can satisfy some but not all for what I expected. And I did it, I chose to move to other country and experience life just as other local people, study, work and live the life.
And as far as my time living here in Canada, I would say it’s worth for what I’ve paid for it; I’ve been studying with multinational classmates with professionals within my industry in a way that people are all open to share their ideas with respect which is just so different with what I experienced in my schooling time at home country; I’ve been working with people in different ages, nations, races, …how diverse it is, try their traditional cuisines, share stories and stuff and even languages, and I just realize that I know a lot of languages; and one thing that I have to admit, living in other English-speaking countries rather than your mother one, helps improving language skills a lot, it’s better than any other methods of studying that I knew. But more importantly, living in different country teaches me to be more mature, independent and strong to get over toughness and conflicts, also encourages me to stay open in order integrate to the local community here; also helps me to understand and treasure my family and their unconditional love towards me.
There’re several obstacles and hardship on the way of living abroad including the difference in cultures, lifestyle, languages, thinking or finance difficulties or being desolate in a strange land, however, it’s a way to shape us who we would become, I believe. Speaking of which, I’m still on my way discovering the place that I’ve been living and still wondering about everything. It’s just so many while I’m just me. So, how about you, how much do you like living in different countries?
