Last summer, E and I took a trip that changed our life. I’d spent the summer in China, and we met up in Brussels, Belgium to vacation…merely because it was the cheapest place to meet coming from Beijing and Denver. Traveling through Europe, we realized we wanted to be there, and that we needed to be there. So, even though I was just finishing a degree in a different field, we applied to TEFL programs here in Prague, and were accepted into one for August. We made the difficult leap abroad, and I’m so happy we did!
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows and whiskers and kittens.
I’ve only been an “expat” for almost two months, but I’m quickly learning that this life is not for the faint of heart. I have always loved to travel, and I’ve always wanted to live abroad, but it’s not easy. Every day is full of so many ups and downs. I read recently that the successful expat is emotionally stable, and spoiler alert: I’m not. In fact, I’m full of anxiety, and living in Prague has in many ways magnified these anxieties.
Often, these anxieties are misplaced, and something I think is going to be really stressful, like riding the tram, is actually no problem. It’s usually the things that I think will go smoothly–like IKEA–that end up being much harder than I anticipated. Moving abroad includes doing a lot of the same things as back home–but usually they seem much harder as you don’t know the language, don’t know anyone, and don’t know how to find anything. All of the annoying things you have to deal with at home–like making ends meet and washing the dishes–are still here, and are not romanticized like I thought they would be. Even in Europe, a bank is still a bank (although the one we chose is in an awesome historical building, so sometimes it does feel more quaint).
While the ups and downs of living abroad is a roller coaster, it’s a magnificent one because those ups are UPS and those downs are DOWNS.
I could go on about how I cried in public (again) or how many insecurities I fight on a daily basis. I won’t go on about how seeing pictures of the changing leaves in Colorado also made me cry, because that’s what I miss the most. I won’t tell you about how a Modern Family episode (a show that always makes me laugh) about Christmas sent me into a pit of depression when I realized I won’t be home for Christmas, again.
Yet all of the downs are, well, worth it.
Here are some reasons why (lately):
+ Even though we’ve been living in our apartment for several weeks, I’m still so relieved and grateful we found one. It’s cute, historical, and right on a little park. It’s only a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen/living room, but it feels huge because the ceilings are so tall. It even has a balcony, an oven, and, wait for it…a BATHTUB. The holy trinity! The most important part (besides the bathtub because I seriously thought I would never find one of those in Europe thanks to House Hunters International) is the location. Two blocks from the river, a few feet from a tram stop, with a courtyard and a park right here..and a few pubs, of course. This is Prague, after all. I’ll stop bragging but I really think I love it.
^^we live here!
^^the view
+ I got another, more permanent job! (Well, through June at least). And I started this week! Whew. I’m working at a school with kids, which is so far entertaining, and it gives me consistent work and is well-paid! I plan on writing a longer post on getting work as a teacher here in Prague, so stay tuned. I’m also compiling a list of all the hilarious things my students do. One thing for sure–I’m exhausted.
+ Somebody asked me for directions! Which means I either look like a native and/or look comfortable enough to know where I’m going. Or I look like I speak, English, maybe? Either way, it made me feel like a native…although I had no idea where they wanted to go so I couldn’t actually help them. Still a win in my book!
+ One of my adult students (the same one that bought me a cookie) invited me and E to the Mexican Embassy party for Mexican Independence Day. One of the most random invites I’ve ever been had but so fun! We were a little under dressed because we’d just come from moving into our new flat, but I managed to put in my contacts beforehand which is always a win. I’ve been to Mexico exactly once, but something about the party made me feel at home. Maybe because there was Mexican food everywhere and it was good. Not to mention the crowds of fun, friendly people. Viva Mexico!
^^tequila! and contacts. and cleavage. #WINNING.
+ We opened a bank account! Maybe. Either way we submitted the paperwork which is a solid start (Right? Searching for validation here…).
+ I’ve made it one whole week without getting lost on public transportation. In addition, I have a OpenCard, the transportation pass that let’s you use the metro, trams, and buses in Prague unlimited over a period of three to eight months. It was a long process–including pictures and passports and a confusing number system. I had number 35, and as I was anxiously awaiting my turn, it went from number 34 to number 36. I ended up getting a different number because 35 just never happened. What the what? Then, of course, after I paid extra to get my card that day (instead of waiting two weeks for them to mail it), I had to actually put money on it so I could use it. Another line, another confusing conversation. But, it all worked out, and now I can ride the metro/tram/bus/even a boat to my heart’s content…for the next six months. Woo!
+ We successfully navigated our first trip out of the country (besides that brief walk through Poland)…to nearby Germany! It was a great weekend escape to celebrate our anniversary. We managed to book tickets and make all of the four connections there and back with only one fall (I won’t tell you who ate it gracefully on the stairs) and without hardly getting lost. My goal for this year is to travel outside Prague one weekend a month and outside the Czech Republic once a month. So far, so good!
^^the absolutely wonderful Rothenberg ob der Tauber in Germany.
+ This has been going on for a few weeks now, but I’ve been getting paid to teach. I am making a living (or will be once my first paycheck comes in…so far it’s a little short of a living) which is a huge win! Surviving overseas…so far!
+ We’ve made it a whole week without the washer screaming “ERROR.” Yesssss! Not that I could tell you exactly what we’re doing differently but I’ll take it.
What wins have happened in your life lately? Share in the comments!!
linking up with Nicole!
Great post! My life is a giant mess too and I have cried in public more than once. Being an expat is tough, but definitely worth it!
Thanks for the wise words! I’m glad you can relate. It’s definitely tough but awesome, too 🙂
Glad you are settling in!! How fun to go to a Mexican Embassy party!!
And ugh, I don’t think expats are always emotionally stable! 😉 You just learn to go with the punches!! Or not and return home, which I’ve seen happen ALOT. Even after this many years of the expat life I miss home at holidays and certain things about American culture. However, when I’m in the US I feel weird there too. Even with it’s difficult moments and frustrations I’m glad I’m an expat. My world view has broadened so much and the experience has been amazing, even with the frustrations! 🙂
Haha I’m glad I’m not the only expat that isn’t always even-keeled :). Thanks for your perspective! I love hearing from someone who has lived abroad for so long. I can’t even imagine being an expat for that long–it must be so weird to go back to the US. I agree though, even with my limited time abroad, I have found my worldview to be opened so much! That alone is worth all the other struggles, I think 🙂 Thanks so much for your support and for reading! It helps to know that i’m not the only one who doesn’t find it perfectly easy, haha!
Congrats on some wins!!
Thanks! Living abroad is helping me focus on the big and small wins instead of the sometimes many losses, haha 🙂
Me too girl!!
I absolutely love that we are expats at the same time, almost to the day. It’s nice to know someone is going through the same thing even if we’re not in the same country! I’ve been really bummed about the lack of ‘fall flavors’ here. I know it’s just a little thing, but the little things can make all the difference! I’m so happy you’ve got a great list of positives going!
I love that too! I love following along with your blog and seeing the differences between our experience, as well as the many similarities even though we’re across the globe from each other! I totally understand how hard it must be to not have the fall flavors…or, I can imagine that it might not even feel that much like fall where you are?? It feels mostly like fall here but the leaves aren’t changing which is weird, so mostly it just feels cold haha. One thing that’s silly that I miss from home is my fall decorations! I don’t want to shell out the money here but if I find a fall candle I might just have to do it, haha 🙂 I hope you find something that is fall-like somewhere in Korea!!
I am an expat to and have been one for many years!! I absolutely love it – everyday is an adventure but I do miss the cool Canadian fall weather and the changing of the seasons!! I am so glad you are enjoying life as an expat and you are celebrating the little things!
I always love to hear from successful expats! It’s great that even though you’ve been abroad for a long time, you continue to love it and find it an adventure…that’s very inspirational to me :). I am trying to focus on the little wins rather than just the stuff that is hard, haha!! I can imagine how much you miss seasons…they are my favorite!
Absolutely love tequila, and my life is a giant mess ( love that!). I have yet to go to Prague but hope to in the future.
Thank you for your comment on my Tofino post on my travel blog, awesome to learn your family has lived on the island!
I hope you make it to Prague, too! it’s a great city 🙂 and thanks to Parks & Recreation for the quote–I love Andy Dwyer lol.
And I loved your post on Tofino! That island is beautiful and I’m jealous you get to spend time there, and maybe even live there! Thanks for reading 🙂 xo
Your apartment sounds so cute and perfect!! I’m sure it can be so frustrating and scary at times, just trying to figure it all out! Just thinking about all the paperwork makes me stressed 🙂
It is almost perfect except there are a lot of spiders which I do NOT love haha. I guess it’s because the building is old and we are close to the river?? Luckily I haven’t seen one for a few days so that’s a relief…keep your fingers crossed they are few and far between :). The paperwork is stressful so I only take it one sheet at a time to avoid crying haha!!
So many great things! Your building is so charming and that weekend trip to Germany sounds lovely! Expat life really teaches you to celebrate the little things!
Yes it really does! I get discouraged sometimes when things aren’t perfect but then I remember all of these great things and I realize it’s pretty awesome over here 🙂 xo
haha aw being an expats really makes you realise how much little things can be such big wins! We had our boiler fixed this today and it’s a huge win with the decreasing weather of Scotland right now 🙂
awww yay for a boiler that works! I bet you REALLY need that up there! hope you are staying warm now 🙂 those little things make a big difference, don’t they?
Sounds like the upsides outweigh the stress by a lot! It sounds like everything is falling into place.
Love your apartment building, and the fact that it has a bath is brilliant! The little things that make you stressed can seem magnified when you’re an expat. It does get easier though! 🙂
Thanks for the words of wisdom! I think it is already getting a LITTLE easier…but just a little lol. Glad that it will get better! The little things do seem bigger, don’t they? Luckily that also applies to the good little things, too 🙂