I spend a lot of time reflecting on my time as an expat/immigrant. That’s what happens when you have a blog, I suppose. I recently found this gem full of questions about living abroad on the Endless Distances blog and Going American. If you’re an expat/immigrant, play along–find the questions below, and link up your post in the comments!
Where were you born, where did you grow up and where do you currently live?
I was born in Colorado, in the USA, and grew up in Montana. I currently live in Budapest, Hungary.
What made you leave your home country?
Ahhh the eternal question. There were a lot of reasons I left–some easier to explain than others. I have always wanted the experience of living abroad, and I wanted to travel but also wanted (and needed) to work. Sometimes I think it’s as simple as the fact that I left because I could. I know not many people are lucky enough to be able to choose to have this experience like me.
What type of reactions do you get when you meet new people and tell them where you are from?
That depends a lot on where I am when said person asks this. Most people in Hungary just want to know why I chose Hungary, but if I go somewhere more off-the-beaten path, I get a much more incredulous reply. Sometimes people immediately want to practice their English. On the flip side, some people are unsure of their English, and so afraid to talk to me (although their English is always a million times better than my Hungarian/Czech/insert local language here). Nowadays, I get a lot of Trump jokes.
What was the easiest/hardest part in adjusting to your new country?
I moved to Budapest from Prague, and it was difficult to adjust to a much bigger city. I also struggled a lot with the work culture. BUT it was easy to jump into exploring the city! It’s a fun one!
Images, words or sounds that sum up the expat experience you’ve had so far.
Night lights. Fog & gray. Ruin pubs. Students.
Your favorite food or drink item in your new country?
I love their liberal use of paprika in its various forms. I’m also obsessed with these cheese biscuit/scone things call pogasca. Sometimes my students bring me little homemade ones and they always are my favorite kid that day ;).
What’s the one thing you said “yes” to in your new city that you wouldn’t say “yes” to, back home?
I say yes to extra lessons at people’s homes, and yes to lessons that are out of the city–usually too far to justify me making it up in the price of the lesson. I say yes because I want to meet Hungarians and see how they live. My schedule gets much busier but also more interesting, I think.
Are there any cultural norms/phrases in your new country which you cannot stand?
The Hungarians are very strict about seasons. You will get a lot of comments about those sandals or short sleeves if you’re wearing them before late May/June–no matter the weather. And if you ever go out without socks in March, you could be institutionalized.
What do you enjoy most doing in your new country?
I love exploring the streets and the back alleys! There are so many gems. Hungary also has an awesome cafe culture. And so much good wine. Also I really love my students. And so much more!
Do you think you will ever move home for good?
Another million dollar question! I’m sure any family members back in the States are anxious to hear the answer to this one…I love the lifestyle of my life in Europe–no car, insurance covered, easy travel, so many new cultures to explore, more minimalist, more adventurous. However, since both my husband and I are American, visa issues may become a problem. I do love the adventure of living in a different country, and I can’t see that ever changing–but I can see us moving closer to home in the future–maybe Canada, if not somewhere in the States. I miss my family and friends, and every time I go home, it’s harder to leave.
sometimes I visit this statue of Reagan for a “taste of home.”
EXPAT TAG QUESTIONS:
- Where were you born, where did you grow up and where do you currently live?
- What made you leave your home country?
- What type of reactions do you get when you meet new people and tell them where you are from?
- What was the easiest/hardest part in adjusting to your new country?
- Images, words or sounds that sum up the expat experience you’ve had so far.
- Your favorite food or drink item in your new country?
- What’s the one thing you said “yes” to in your new city that you wouldn’t say “yes” to, back home?
- Are there any cultural norms/phrases in your new country which you cannot stand?
- What do you enjoy most doing in your new country?
- Do you think you will ever move home for good?
Love it Amy! I have loved how many people this lil’ list of questions spoke to 🙂 I really enjoyed hearing a bit more about your story… I have a good friend who is Hungarian and she is very strict on seasons, too… what a funny thing to be strict about hahaha.
That is so funny that all Hungarians are just strict about seasons, lol. I would get so many funny looks and it took me forever to figure out why!
Interesting post 🙂 Budapest is very nice but I hope that you will be able to visit other interesting and scenic places in Hungary.
Yes, we were able to go to a few small villages, as well as Debrecen, Pecs, Szentendre, Eger…there is a lot more to Hungary besides just Budapest!
Really enjoyed the post, Amy! 🙂 I also really liked that you used the word ‘immigrant’ too as I feel really uncomfortable with the way that ‘expat’ and ‘immigrant’ are used to label different people who are in exactly the same situation!
Yes, I always struggle with that–I feel like it’s often based on race/class, which one you are labeled! I try to use them interchangeably because really, aren’t they the same thing?!
As a fellow expat, it was really fun to read all of your answers to these questions! And it’s interesting how where you live they are so strict about what types of clothing you are ‘allowed’ to wear at different times of year! Work visas are a funny thing to navigate when you want to live outside your native country–they can be stressful at times, but I’m so grateful for the visas that have allowed us to live and work outside of the USA for three years so far!
Yes, I am really grateful that we were lucky enough to live abroad for three years too, thanks to work visas!!! Such a great experience to be an expat. 🙂
This list is great! Had I found it 8 years ago while living in Denmark, I would have taken up the challenge right away – we really had the expat lifestyle there. But since moving to Ireland (I am French, my husband is Irish) I feel like we have arrived home. I’d love to spend more time back home in France – like you, leaving is harder every time we go back. But I can’t imagine leaving Ireland for good.
I would want to stay in Ireland forever, too! 🙂
I’ve never been an expat, however we do have lots of expats staying in our suburb and at my son’s school. They say the hardest part is finding new good friends. Once they have that then they find the new life really enjoyable.
Yes, that’s true. It’s hard to find new friends, especially when you don’t know how long you will be there.
I love this type of post as you learn so m much about the writer and where they live. What a fantastic experience but I can see why you might be a little home sick. The Hungarian s being struck about the seasons made me laugh. In the UK, as soon as we get a splash of sunshine someone, somewhere will pull on their flip-flops or take off their shirt 🙂 Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes
Yes! I’m from the mountains in the States and the second the sun comes out in the spring–be in March or May–suddenly everyone is in shorts, lol.