Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2016 9:47:33 GMT 7
The process of moving to another country is often accompanied by myriad emotions. While it is typical to experience feelings of joy, excitement and anticipation when making the leap abroad, it is also common to feel fear, guilt or trepidation. Culture shock, isolation and other challenges while adapting can make even the most eager expat feel doubtful about their choice. And that ongoing swirl of excitement and anxiety can last for some time.
But then at some point it happens: that moment when many successful sojourners stop and realize they are exactly where they should be, doing just as they are meant to do. It is a feeling of intrinsic satisfaction: It’s the expat “Aha!” moment.
For former expat Phil Neuendorff, his “Aha!” moment came during an evening of playful engagement with his new land. The Canadian spent four years working as a teacher in Kuwait, and recalls spending a night out in the desert indulging in the culture, learning local history, and gaining great personal insight: “Every year we had an amazing opportunity to get together with the marines that were based in Kuwait, and have a camp out on the border of Kuwait and Iraq,” he says. “We would [play] paintball in the old ruins where Iraq first attacked Kuwait, and then pitch tents and crash on the sand after a long night of dancing, laughing and embracing the desert.” Mr. Neuendorff says that it was through this unique experience that he and his fellow expats bonded with each other as well as with their new home. “In these moments, I felt like I was a part of something bigger,” he says.
Continues:
blogs.wsj.com/expat/2016/02/16/in-search-of-that-expat-aha-moment/
But then at some point it happens: that moment when many successful sojourners stop and realize they are exactly where they should be, doing just as they are meant to do. It is a feeling of intrinsic satisfaction: It’s the expat “Aha!” moment.
For former expat Phil Neuendorff, his “Aha!” moment came during an evening of playful engagement with his new land. The Canadian spent four years working as a teacher in Kuwait, and recalls spending a night out in the desert indulging in the culture, learning local history, and gaining great personal insight: “Every year we had an amazing opportunity to get together with the marines that were based in Kuwait, and have a camp out on the border of Kuwait and Iraq,” he says. “We would [play] paintball in the old ruins where Iraq first attacked Kuwait, and then pitch tents and crash on the sand after a long night of dancing, laughing and embracing the desert.” Mr. Neuendorff says that it was through this unique experience that he and his fellow expats bonded with each other as well as with their new home. “In these moments, I felt like I was a part of something bigger,” he says.
Continues:
blogs.wsj.com/expat/2016/02/16/in-search-of-that-expat-aha-moment/
