I said it once and I'll say it again... Living abroad is all about trying new things
Being open minded is Life Abroad 101. Why would you move to Japan if you don't plan on trying any Japanese food? Why live in Chile if you don't want to experience any of the culture? What's the point of eating McDonald's and KFC all the time when you live in Ghana?
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This is my attitude towards learning about and experiencing everything a country has to offer. Adjusting to wine at lunch & dinner in Italy to eating bugs in South Korea. If it's culture related I'm with it. I want to see what's really going on in other countries, not just seeing the tourist attractions and leaving.
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Travel is one of the best ways to learn about the world around you through complete immersion. Whether it's language, culture, cuisine, or anything in between, booking a flight and learning from locals is the way to go. I mean learning how to make pasta from an Italian or how to speak Mandarin from locals in China? I can't think of a better way to learn to be completely honest.
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In regards to pretty much everything my motto is: I'll try anything once. How can you say eating fish eyes is nasty if you've never done it? How are you going to tell me Italians are racist & you don't even have a passport? How you know??? I listen to all the advice and "information" people have, but at the end of the day I'm going to do it anyway. Your experience may be completely different than mine.
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There is a lot of information and misinformation floating around the world right now, especially in the age of the internet. Everyone has an opinion and a platform to share their experiences whether positive or negative. This is a blessing and a curse because for every person that has a positive solo traveling experience, there's someone to tell you the other side of the coin. From destination reviews to restaurant recommendations to everything in between, you can find pretty much anything you're looking for online, the good and the bad.
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Finding every piece of information possible before making a decision or taking a leap of faith is exhausting and, truthfully, impossible. The key is to do your research, but remain open-minded. When it comes to travel, I try not to set any expectations at all. I like being surprised and being able to form my own opinions without the influence of others. My glass is always half full and I can find a silver lining in just about any situation so my experiences are often different than other travelers.
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When sharing my journey, I make sure to include the good, bad and ugly for others to get the full picture. As a travel blogger and content creator, I am constantly pushing myself out of my comfort zone to really immerse myself in new experiences and to find out what a country truly has to offer. Social media was once just a highlight reel, but now things are taking a shift in the right direction. We are starting to see more and more creators, influencers, and everyday people pull back the curtain and be vulnerable. Showing the curated and the raw. And you know what, I love to see it.
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So, trying new things while living and traveling abroad doesn't scare me. I am an adventure junkie. Alligator as the appetizer? I'm with it. Ziplining through the forest? Sign me up. Backpacking in Spain? What time do I need to be ready? I could've said no to all of the above, but then I wouldn't have had those AMAZING experiences. Long story short: I'M WITH ALL THE SHITS.
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This is what life abroad is all about. Purposefully stepping out of your comfort zone & broadening your horizons. If you're really about that life, take a leap & join this expat joyride 🤪
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