In between cultures: where is home?
Being in three different countries over the last couple of days I got inspired by the question of „Where is home“ for the typical expat. Here is my point of view on this topic and I would love to learn more about your opinion.
How to define "home" as an expat
German Version:
„Heute hier, morgen dort
Bin kaum da, muss ich fort
Hab‘ mich niemals dewegen beklagt
Hab‘ es selbst so gewählt
Nie die Jahre gezählt
Nie nach Gestern und Morgen gefragt“
English Translation:
Today here, tomorrow there, hardly I’m here when I’ve to go away,
I never complained because of that.
I’ve chosen it like that myself, never counted the years,
Never asked for yesterday and tomorrow.
The German singer Hannes Wader has written this song referring to his tour life. It speaks to me as being an Expat is sometimes similar. Especially when it comes to serial expatriation. As an Expat I try to live in the moment as much as possible. This can be quite a challenging goal. It is always hard not to compare, not to miss some parts of the other country and one common thing in my life will always be to miss loved ones as my friends and family are spread around the world. As an Expat you will always have a wandering mind and home will become difficult to define. It is not a city anymore and even not a country. Living abroad for more than a year now even a culture does not feel like home anymore as there are some new facets I have adopted from the culture I am living in right now. From all the places I have lived in, this small town in Germany might feel the most like home as most of my childhood memories are here. However, memories are always part of the past and my mind is currently more shaped by present experiences.
"As an Expat I try to live in the moment as much as possible. This can be quite a challenging goal."
Want some good vibes in your mail?
"It definitely requires the need to explore something new again and again and to challenge the status quo"
Therefore, home is not a physical place for me anymore but a place where I feel like home no matter where it is located. Living together with my husband is the only constant in life. To feel comfortable in this lifestyle maybe requires some special motivation or character trait. It definitely requires the need to explore something new again and again and to challenge the status quo. When things settle down and become easy I start to feel the urge to change something again. When my learning curve starts to decrease I want to learn something new. When my home is fully furnished and decorated I start to think about moving somewhere else to start all over. For me personally, this has nothing to do with the need to escape from something. It is more my personal experience of how moving outside your comfort zone can enrich your life and I am just too curious to stay. This might change in a different age, professional state or when kids are a part in one’s life but for now home is where I am and where I come home in the evening to discuss the adventures of the day with my husband.
What is home for you?
What is home for you? Do you exactly know where you will be in the next couple of years? Do you live with a long-term plan or from day to day? Would love to learn more about your experience and view about this. Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks for sharing the love and stopping by
Share this article with a friend and share the love:
You also might like:
Career Success for Expats: Unlocking Career Success After Moving Abroad
Moving to a new country for work can be both challenging and rewarding. A recent academic study titled „Exploring the Determinants of Career Success After Expatriation: A Focus on Job Fit, Career Adaptability, and Expatriate Type“ sheds light on the factors that influence career success for expats. I have summarized some of the key learnings from this study in today’s post. Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning an international career or moving countries to advance your career.
Are You Moving Abroad and Need to Update Your Resume for the US Job Market?
This article guides expats in adapting their resumes for the US job market, highlighting key differences from German resumes. It covers essential adjustments such as omitting personal information, emphasizing achievements, and using concise summaries. Additionally, it underscores the importance of reflecting on career goals and integrating international experience.
Finding Peace in Limbo: Thriving While Waiting for Your Work Permit as the accompanying spouse
Waiting for a work visa can feel like an endless rollercoaster of emotions. The uncertainty and impatience can be overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure if a work permit will ever materialize. However, this limbo phase can also be an invaluable opportunity for personal and professional growth.
Why Couple Contracting is Crucial for Expat Couples
Living abroad brings unique challenges that can shift dynamics within a relationship unexpectedly. From adjusting to a new culture to managing career changes or redefined roles due to local constraints, these transitions can strain a partnership without clear communication and agreed-upon expectations. It might sound wired to formulate a contract with a loved one. However, many appreciate this tool since it supports be more clear and active in our way of communicating with our partner. Let’s get started and learn more about what couple contracts entail and how to set one up for yourself. Further down I am also sharing a free template with you to get the process started.
Female Expats and Their Perspectives on International Assignments
Female Expats and Their Perspectives on International Assignments Text by: Kate von Knobloch The distribution of genders in international assignments reveals that parity is still
Career planning for expatriate partners involves navigating unique challenges and opportunities
Career planning for expatriate partners involves navigating unique challenges and opportunities.
4 Antworten
I am out here to speed this good news to the entire world on how I got help from Dr UYI a great lottery spell caster that will help you cast a lottery spell and give you the rightful numbers to win the lottery, I didn’t believe lottery spell at first but as life got harder i decided to give a try, I spend so much money on tickets just to make sure I win. until the day I met Dr UYI online, which so many people have talked good about, that he is very great when it comes to casting lottery spell, he told me the necessary things to do and behold it was like a magic, i won $220 Million Dollars Mega Million with the numbers Dr UYI gave to me. his a really trustful person worthy and reliable, i am sharing this to you who have been finding it so hard to win the lottery, Thanks you Dr UYI who helped me Contact him via email: drzukalottospelltemple@gmail.com OR WhatsApp on +17174154115
DR UYI has done it for me, His predictions are 100% correct, He is real and can perform miracles with his spell. I am overwhelmed because I just won 336,000, 000 million Euro from a lottery jackpot game with the lottery number DR UYI gave me. I contacted DR UYI for help to win a lottery via Facebook Page DR UYI, he told me that a spell was required to be casted so that he can predict my winning, I provided his requirements for casting the spell and after casting the spell he gave the lottery numbers, I played and won 336,000,00 euros. How can I thank this man enough? His spell is real and like a God on Earth. Thank you for changing my life with your lottery winning numbers. Do you need help to win a lottery too? contact Dr UYI via drzukalottospelltemple@gmail.com OR WhatsApp on +17174154115
I want to recommend you all to a lottery spell caster called Dr. Isa, who helped me win the sum of $3000,000 millions dollars. After I had spent more than $2000 on a ticket just because I believed that I was going to win, my dreams finally came true, all because of Dr Isa, the spell caster. If you have been searching for ways to win the lottery or any other game. Reach out to Dr Isa, who can help you. I found it so difficult until I met a kind man called Dr. Isa, who did everything perfectly for me. If you come across this review online, please get in touch with him for your lottery spell. His WhatsApp: +2347046030096 email: drisaspellcaster@gmail. com
Wishing good fortune to everyone who comes across this comment! I went bankrupt last year due to failed business ideas. I used to enjoy playing the lottery for fun but as my situation worsened, I sought help to win big this time and found a man called OGBO, who has assisted numerous individuals worldwide with their financial issues. This man prepared a powerful spell for me that enabled him to get the secrete lucky numbers for me, I played the game with the numbers and to my astonishment, I discovered that I had won $259 million Jackpot after 2 weeks just has he said; Today, I’m now free of debt and I own different investments globally. Without OGBO, I wouldn’t have made it through the tough times I experienced last year. Truly ,OGBO is a divine presence among us. If you are currently struggling in aspect of your life, reach out to OGBO through the below information’s.
Whats-App: +2348110968476
Email: Psychicogboreading@gmail.com