Life as an Expat

Whenever I tell people I have been away from home for 3 years, living away in two foreign lands, people often ask me, "How's it like, being an expat? It must be fun, huh? Earning big bucks."

It is true that the first thing that strikes our mind about expatriation is the earning power. Yet, it is not just the sudden increase in pay. It's the sudden freedom from responsibilities as well. We get to travel as much as we want, and pay for things that we'd never imagine we could afford. 

Then again, as expats, we will miss wedding ceremonies, funerals, and birthday celebrations. We won't be able to be physically present for our loved ones. We will become sojourners in a foreign land, no matter how much we try to blend and fit in, or believe we have successfully assimilated into the local community. We will face discrimination, one way or another.

I know, I know. Discrimination exists everywhere, not just in foreign lands. Yet, as an expat, the pain in every suffering and every joy you experience is amplified. We tend to be more appreciative of the simple joys in life, and become more philosophical and open minded about our sufferings. 

Suddenly, when we return to our own homes, we are no longer the same person who left home a long, long time ago. Our family members and friends might recognize us from our physical facial features, but deep down, we have evolved into totally different beings. We have endured so much that we have become stronger. No longer do we cry over spilled milk, about being displaced or mistreated. Instead we figure out ways to go about it. We figure out how to solve our own problems and not depend on others. We are not that naive anymore. We trust with a reasonable measure of doubt. We learn to be shrewd. We grow up. We become wiser. We become more resilient and resistant. We are independent. Our vision and our goals are sharpened and more focused. We know exactly what we want and how to achieve it. We love life even more. We understand the meaning of 'quality of life', and wish everybody around us could taste it, even if for a short moment. 

Is it worth it? The sacrifice? The tears? The pain ? The yearnings, longings and losses? 

On hindsight, yes, it is. Every ounce of it. 

It just helps us to become better human beings who are able to empathize with the plight of others who are desperately seeking for betterment in their respective lives. Let us therefore be kinder and more gracious and courteous towards everyone we meet. It will mean a lot to all of us and goes a long, long way towards melting our freezing hearts with love.