I’ve come with lots of love and an open mind to the UK when I decided to leave everything behind and start fresh. So far, we have created a good relationship.
Its made me laugh, broke my heart then glue it all back to place.
The journey has been challenging, rewarding and definitely crazy all along the way.
Some things people just won’t share with you about living in a different country but if you prepared for all the good and bad that will come along your way, you will able to make the most out of it.
1) It will change you
It has shaped me in so many different ways, the experiences, and adventures have changed me for a better me. And it still does. It has changed my outlook, made me a positive and most definite happier person. People tried to guilt me for it by saying I have left the sinking boat, left my family behind...
Don't let people to dissuade with their negativity!
2) Not all clouds and unicorns
I hate to break this news, but it is not all fairytales. People talk about their amazing experiences while they lived abroad, but yet again, nobody has ever mentioned anything about the clouds around the daydreams. I have been up and so many times down without warning. Had to learn it all along my way...I am a planner. I can't help myself. I like to get it all together, but sometimes things don't work out the way we want to. That's why I don't rely on plan A I try to have it all figured out until plan Z.
The vision I had before about moving it is far away from the real deal. But that's okay.
You need to fall before you learn to fly.
3) Work hard
You just landed in a new part of the world, new people, new places, the new language around you and they all just waiting for you to be explored. Sound so magical right?
It is, but you will have days when you want to throw all in the towel and cry your eyes out. The days when you will realise how far, alone you are from everything and everyone you have known before. Strangers will be mean to you, will look at you differently. But it will get easier, just work hard on it. Get to know people, be open, go out there and don't be afraid to explore.
People will accept you and some of them actually want to be your friends.
Finally, you will feel just at home.
4) Vulnerable
Moving it is exactly like being the new guy at work. Every day and every time. Asking silly questions, people will get confused why you do and say certain things but just laugh over it, move on and accept that learning will play a big part in your life. I always hated this part, and I don't think that I will ever get used to it.
But I always try to do my best to accept this and that it is a long process to set myself up in a new country.
5) You will realise who your real friends are
It was the most shocking thing I have ever experienced since I moved. Some of my “friends” have entirely disappeared some of them reaching out for me when they need a favour, and some of them just stay no matter what.
Not everybody needs to stay in your life forever, but who stays appreciate and love more.
When I moved away, some close friends were extremely happy for me on my bravery. Others voiced their jealousy so many times.
Ignore those type of comments.
6) Homesick
Honestly, I even find this weird, but the only time I feel homesick is Christmas, and the reason for that is my family.
It’s been 6 Christmases without them. We spend Christmas far away from each other, however, still together over Skype.
This year will be different as this is the first Christmas we finally will spend together after all those years.
My parents and my youngest brother are coming over to spend the holidays with us in the UK. Couldn't be more excited.
I don’t have homesick at all. I have too much fun to feel unhappy. When I was about seven years old, we used to live in a city than we moved away to a small village as my dad wanted to do gardening, farming again as he used to when he lived with his parents.
I remember how furious I was about my parent's decision. I didn’t want to leave, so I guess I have never really given a chance for the new place we moved to, I never really felt at home there. Never ate the Hungarian food as it’s all about pork and fatty food. I don't eat pork at all. I used to be vegetarian for a long time too.
I’m super picky about the meat I eat, so my mum always cooked something just for me.
But, most probably this could be the opposite for you.
7) Time flies
Its been almost seven years now that I moved from a small Hungarian village into one of the largest city in the UK.
I really can’t believe how time flies. I still remember the day when I left everything behind like it was yesterday.
I don’t often visit the village where I’m from as I prefer when my family and friends stay over at our home.
I enjoy that I can show them new things and new places.
When we go to Hungary, I can see that the stores I used to shop at disappeared, buildings I used to know changed, and these things make me realise how much time flies.
I visited Hungary about twice since I moved away.
8) Fear
I may have opened the door to an opportunity I have always dreamed of, so why do I feel doubt and negativity?
What if I fail and lose it all?
I don't know anyone, and I'm all alone. These feelings will happen but do they ever stop?! I guess I have to accept to live with it.
Be brave and dare to step forward to reach your dreams because I know that I would not change it for the world.
9) Appreciate who is there for you.
I have sort of got used to the feeling of missing my family since I moved, but it is always getting harder especially around the holidays when the whole family get together, and I am the only one
who is missing it all out.
Feels disconnected from my family but when I receive a
postcard, message or a snap from them, I am so happy.
They care, and they miss me.
The time when you fought with your brothers/sisters, the times when you able to see them once every year if not less, these memories will be more appreciated.
10) Never regret it only if you stay behind
Was I ready? No. I only turned 19, and most definitely, I can tell you now I was not prepared for this. Do I regret it? NO. The key is to let yourself move through all of those negative emotions.
Let things go wrong, won't be wanderlust every day but don't be upset, take every chance, opportunity to learn, grow and shape a stronger you.
You will not be happy everyday day that you made this decision, but you will realise one day that you took a small step by reaching your dream, but you still have a long way to go.
I am so thankful for my family who supported me to take a step towards my dreams and Carl, who always been there for me.
What’s your opinion about moving abroad? Would you dare to do it? Where would you move to?
If you would like to know how I have decided to move from a small village into one of the largest city in the UK, then you can click here.
