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I don't know if it's a coincidence, but it seems all of the expats I come across are involved in creative businesses, entrepreneurship or writing. A lot of expats have already written about this, so I won't expand into psychology too much. But, it's something which really fascinates me.
Do we find ourselves so unable to conform to another culture's workplace ethics and regulations that we simply say 'Sod it, I'm going to work for myself'? Or is it that the whole business of changing your whole life makes you re-consider your career goals?
Personally, it was part of the first option which pushed me into working from home. I wasn't very good at understanding the hours that were kept, the only partially followed rights of the working mother and speaking the same language in the bathroom at work. Travel to and from work was a major nightmare. Fun if you're an adventurous tourist but not day in day out when you have evening meals and homework to worry about.
So I don't regret holing up at home - I love this country as much as I love the UK, but I'm perfectly happy to hide at home for most part of the day. Until, at least, the working day is over.
* A referral link has been used in my post.
I think the state of being an ex-pat is so unique in that the feeling of close-knit community is unlike any other. If I were still in Britain, I would have my usual gaggle of girlfriends, colleagues and family. But the circle of friends I have here is unusual - you try extra hard to help and guide one another. You try that much more to get along with someone you normally wouldn't give the time of day to at home.
Perhaps, everyone has an opportunity to enhance their better qualities when they are themselves in unfamiliar surroundings. Of course, it could always be sheer desperation...
This morning I got a call from a young American who was literally stranded here. He had been invited over to teach and when the agreement fell apart, he was left here, in a foreign land, all by himself. The first thing everyone around him thought was, 'let's get him in touch with his own 'sort'.'
Actually, this is a nice thing. Nice for him that he suddenly has these people who speak the same language to rally round for him, and nice for us that we have one more shiny new friend. In what other situation would you ever see this happen with no ulterior expectations?
Maybe not the whole earth itself, but I have certainly moved across half of the earth for love.
This particular yarn of this particular expat begins with the move I made from one distant corner of Europe - the UK - to the very edge of Europe - Turkey - exactly 17 years ago. A move I may not have made if I had not been deliriously in love with a man who made my new home seem all the more exotic and all the more romantic.
Have I regretted it? No. I'm still happily in love.
And now I'm ready to share all of the trials, tears and beautiful experiences which are so typical of an expat's life. I hope you'll enjoy the journey.
