Family and becoming an ex-pat

trolleyrun

Well done on getting your placement! You should be really proud of yourself. Try not to worry about other people's reactions. I left my home country many many years ago and had no support or "excitement" from family and friends. To be honest, I don't think they actually believed I was going. I was supposed to be away for 3 years, although coming back for holidays. Some "friends" I didn't hear from for 3 years and they tried to get back in touch once I was supposed to have returned. Your colleagues and friends are probably a bit jealous that you have the guts to do it

Go follow your dreams. Have a fantastic time. There are direct flights from London to Seoul if anything should happen, but I reckon you'll be fine. You sound a lot more prepared than I was and I've done allright. Top tip: don't just hang out with other ex-pats, but try to integrate with lots of different people. Take care of yourself and you'll have a blast

meritaten

Well I am certainly happy for you! it sounds such a marvellous adventure!
your dad obviously doesn't want you to go! your mum wants your rug! so ask dad to keep it for you!
sorry for all the !!!!!!!!!!!s! just wanted to sound excited for you.
my cousin went out to Thailand over twenty five years ago to teach English as a second language (not speaking one word of their language). he loved it there. met a lovely lady and they have been married for over twenty years. (he had two failed marraiges at the time).
It works well for many people - and why shouldn't it work for you?
GOOD LUCK!
enjoy the experience.

top_drawer_2

Thank you I'm grateful for other people being excited for me and hearing positive comments. I think it will work for me, I am keen and excited although way over planning I feel....

I do find that I get bogged down by a particular problem / issue (like work colleagues etc) and that can escalate out of all control to make me miserable. I am not always so good at problem solving and this is when I feel the lack of support the most; when the people who are supposed to support me only want to say they told me this would happen (!).

trolleyrun

Go prove them wrong That's what I did, it's the best thing I ever did.

Savvy_Sue

Do you have a friend who would value the rug? If so I'd give it to them, as a gift. I'd find some way of not giving it to Mum, at any rate (but maybe I'm just mean ...)

Pollycat

Not knowing your Dad, maybe he's coming across the way he is because he's worried about you?

But it is such a shame that those closest to you are unable/unwilling to share in your excitement.
I'm sure if it were one of my close relatives or friends, I'd be wildly jealous but would throw myself into helping organise their trip in any way I could.

Make whatever arrangements you need to make (Visa, insurance etc) then your Dad may feel more relaxed.

Go.
Have a wonderful time.
The people you leave behind will adjust (or not).

Hope it all works out for you, it sounds like you've worked hard to achieve this.

Nocturnes

Decades ago I did a similar thing and my father was particularly discouraging, saying I should stay in the UK, be settled, get a mortgage (all these things were supposed to be plucked from the sky as not feasible at the time!). In looking back, and without going into detail, his reaction was all about him. I also found I had some very odd responses from friends - all understandable in hindsight.

You may find that once you are in your new life, things like the rug and the heater are simply not important any more.

There is a good site called britishexpats (see their forums) which will have information and advice from others who have done or are doing the same as you - may be of assistance.

Meanwhile, good luck, pat yourself on the back for making your dreams come true, and enjoy your adventure.

fin7

Congratulations on the job and having the courage to follow your dreams.

If my daughter did something like this, I'd give her my blessing but worrying about children is in the job description, lol.

Toto

Congratulations on the job


I can hardly advise, we have our green cards and are busy planning our move to the USA. I haven't actually brought myself to tell my folks yet that we're going. I'm pretty sure they will be horrified. I know I've got to do it but it never seems the right time. We had been putting it off saying, 'we'll wait until the visa is guaranteed then we'll tell them'


It's not easy is it.


I think you need to try to let some of this go. I'm not saying you are in the wrong at all. But, your parents clearly deal with things differently to you and you are never going to change that. I think for your sake you need to let the (understandable) frustrations and anger move aside and allow yourself to concentrate on your own excitement for your future.

trailingspouse

Some people just have a very small mindset. Once you're out there, you'll meet people with a much broader outlook on life and I'm guessing you'll fit right in and never look back. There are lots of people doing exactly what you are doing.

Yes, the big outside world can be a dangerous place - but equally you could be knocked down by a bus outside your own front door. Do all the sensible things - check the FCO website regularly, make sure you have good insurance, build up a 'get you home' fund, don't carry lots of money around with you, don't go round getting drunk and getting into fights in local bars. It really isn't rocket science.