Ever feel like you don't belong where you are?

Hermia

I think that feeling is very real. I think some people are born in the wrong country. I have an American friend and she came here on holiday when she was in her early 20s. She said she felt utterly at home during the first week. By the end of the holiday she had 100% made up her mind that when she came back it would be for good. She is now a British citizen and doesn't have one regret.

I think the only thing you have to be wary of is that your vision of another country has not just come from holidays or from the media. I do know people who are utterly convinced that the US is their spiritual home, but their image of the US is completely unrealistic.

metroman

I love animals, and i've always felt very much that I belong in the Exmoor Valley .. I just love that place. So I would love to buy a smallholding and have lots of animals and maybe a B&B business so that my customers could enjoy what I have as well.

marisco_2

I travelled round the world in my twenties and liked most of the incredible countries and places that I visited. Nowhere affected me quite as much as the time I spent in Australia though. Like yourself it instantly felt like home and I found it very hard to eventually leave. I have been back several times and those feelings have not diminished only strengthened. I would love to emigrate over there one day.

Many people spend their entire lives never discovering somewhere that makes them feel the way you do. I think it is brilliant that at 21 you have the confidence and drive to get out there, and to make such a success of intermingling with locals, living and working abroad. Whatever you decide to do with your future that kind of experience can only ever benefit you.

time2deal

I found the same when I moved to London from Sydney. I came for two years in my early twenties and just felt like I fitted in so much better. Love the culture, the sense of humour, multi culturalness, the mix of busy and laid back, fabulous history and modernity. Just love it. I even prefer the weather!

After the two years i went back to Sydney and finished my degree and returned to London as a professional and happily here 8 years. I am going back to Sydney, because my friends and family have all drifted back over recent years, but I will miss London terribly. The only idea I have is to change my life totally, new career, new focus and hope my new life matches the new location.

amberfinn53

marisco wrote: »

I travelled round the world in my twenties and liked most of the incredible countries and places that I visited. Nowhere affected me quite as much as the time I spent in Australia though. Like yourself it instantly felt like home and I found it very hard to eventually leave. I have been back several times and those feelings have not diminished only strengthened. I would love to emigrate over there one day.

Many people spend their entire lives never discovering somewhere that makes them feel the way you do. I think it is brilliant that at 21 you have the confidence and drive to get out there, and to make such a success of intermingling with locals, living and working abroad. Whatever you decide to do with your future that kind of experience can only ever benefit you.

Thank you.

I agree that working aboard is one of the best things anyone can do, when/if I have children I will really advise them to the do the same, you learn so much and I really think it helps you focus on what you want in life.

fufu_banterwaite

amberfinn53 wrote: »

Thank you.

I agree that working aboard is one of the best things anyone can do, when/if I have children I will really advise them to the do the same, you learn so much and I really think it helps you focus on what you want in life.

Not just working, but travelling too. When I visited countries like Cambodia and Laos it made me appreciate just how lucky I am.

Hermia

amberfinn53 wrote: »

Thank you.

I agree that working aboard is one of the best things anyone can do, when/if I have children I will really advise them to the do the same, you learn so much and I really think it helps you focus on what you want in life.

Definitely. I think it's great because it really broadens your mind. You realise that the way your culture does thing isn't the only way. I also think it's good because it does teach you that the grass isn't always greener. You realise every country has it's pros and cons and it's about finding a country where the pros and cons fit your personality.

venetianlagoon

Oh yes, I am Irish by birth and do call there home but my mom is Italian American and so we lived in the US too.


Mom has family in Venice. We would go every year in the summer vac and I have always felt that to be my spiritual home. I am lucky I now split my time between Venice and the UK, with trips to Ireland and the US thrown in. I feel most at peace in Venice though.

peachyprice

Yes, definitely know the feeling, I think I belong in Italy.

amberfinn53

peachyprice wrote: »

Yes, definitely know the feeling, I think I belong in Italy.

My brother lives in Rome and just adores it!