From Korea to the U.S.: My Emotional Journey After Moving Back Home After 5 Years | Life Update 2020

Transitioning back to the U.S. after five years in Korea was one of the most challenging experiences of my life. In this video, I share my personal journey of returning home, navigating uncertainty, and rebuilding my life in America.

After leaving a life I had built abroad, with stability, independence, and community, I faced an emotional rollercoaster upon returning. From struggles with career setbacks to adjusting to a new normal during the pandemic, this past year has been a lesson in resilience and self-discovery.

In this video, I discuss:
✅ Why I decided to leave Korea.
✅ The unexpected challenges of transitioning back home.
✅ How the pandemic impacted my plans.
✅ Lessons learned about self-worth and rejection.
✅ What’s next for me as I rebuild my life.

I also reflect on my time in Korea, the incredible memories I made, and why I wouldn’t trade those years for anything.

Whether you’ve experienced a major life transition or are curious about the realities of repatriating, I hope my story inspires and comforts you.

Have you ever faced a tough transition in life? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

📍 Subscribe for more life updates, travel stories, and personal reflections:

#LifeAfterKorea #MovingBackHome #LifeUpdate2020 #RepatriationJourney #KoreanExpat #LivingAbroad #PersonalGrowth #NatalieAdventures

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Recorded with: Panasonic Lumix gx8 with 12-35mm 2.8 zoom lens
Edited with CyberLink / Final Cut Pro

[ebo]

Nat, honey as a mom let me tell u, u helped my family soooo much. I watched all of your videos when my daughter decided she was going to go and teach there. Your videos made it easier for me as a mom to be able to not be so scared. We went a year before she started the process and stayed 2 weeks to check the country out, we did a 9 day cultural tour through Hanatour and fell in love with the country. She will be coming back home in Sept after 2 years, because like u, she has some courses to finish up. I just wanted to say thank you and im glad things are going well for u.

[lilfroggo]

I will be returning home after 5 years living in Australia. I’m glad I found your video. I’ve been really distressed and anxious

[orlane]

I totally feel the same way. I have been living in Ethiopia for 3 years, I gave birth to a little boy half Ethiopian and half French, I work in Ethiopia, I have my friends, my house, my independence ... and this year, I decided to return to France for about the same reasons as you. Difficult decision, I'm not ready, especially when you know that you will have to rebuild everything and go back for a while in a financial dependence. So I decided a few days ago to postpone my departure in 1 year. So I understand you completely.

[samualjohnson]

I moved back to the states from Korea in 2008 after my military days. It was hard for me too. Work. Racism. Learning to be a civilian even. All of it. But after a decade, im finally feeling some peace and happiness. Just keep going, as you have been, and you will get where you're supposed to be. Good luck to you.

[areumvida]

I met you at EPIK orientation back in October 2016 and left Korea a couple of months before you did. Everything you discussed in this video is what I’ve been experiencing as well.

But seeing you flourish despite the hard times of reestablishment (and COVID) is so inspiring!! You are a force to be reckoned with!! You inspired me to go to Korea and you’re still inspiring me now. Always rooting for you!!

[KarenNorman-sfef]

Thanks for sharing - I'm in the process of transitioning back to Australia after 21years in China, currently in Singapore having some transition counselling here before arriving in Australia. I know it is going to be tough. I appreciated your honesty in some of things that you found difficult on your return.

[ALifeofPeculiarity]

Definitely understand your struggle. I’ve been job searching since August and was so depressed. Working on focusing on things I’m thankful for each day...

[ajj]

I just moved home from NZ after living abroad from Canada for 5 years. It’s month 5 and I’m in a severe depression.
I can’t stop thinking that life would be so much better if I just moved back, and why go through this struggle to try and reassert myself back in to a life in Canada that I’m so disconnected from.
I hope I start to feel better soon. Thanks so much for making this video, it makes me feel less alone. Hope you’re doing okay now ☺️

[untilthen...]

So glad you uploaded! I was wondering how the transition was beCAUSE you were heading back amidst the pandemic! That had to be a struggle in and of itself 😪

[allisonpitt]

I've been watching your videos for YEARS. Thanks so much for positing this and being vulnerable! I've been in Korea for two years now and plan on going home at the end of my third year. Korea has undoubtedly been HOME for me, and will continue to be during this third and final year. I am very emotionally invested in my life here. I know it's going to be extremely tumultuous when I return to the states, and I'm going to have to emotionally prepare for that and set realistic expectations for that acclimation back in America. Thank you again for giving your perspective on that transition!!

[AdonisHT]

So sad to hear that you had a rough time... I hope things will get better for you in the near future. Much love from Belgium x

[PoptartKid]

This is exactly what I needed to hear. In 2020 I moved to the US from Japan because of the pandemic. The transition was so rough just how you described so its good to know that I'm not alone.

[nokwandabyneveldt]

Touching video😢 thanks for the heartfelt honesty.

[michellecarmona]

OMG NAT! Though I am sad to hear that you've gone and continue to go through ups and downs, you still manage to stay so positive. When you said, "I don't know where I'm gonna end up in the end but hopefully it's someplace bright and happy, " I teared up a little. I wish you the absolute best! Thank you for being so honest and bringing us along on this adventure. We love you!

[antonette]

I don’t know what you are going through, but I’m glad you are back & doing okay now! I love all of your videos. You are amazing & blessed !

[moniquerodriguez]

you are NOT alone in this. I had a similar situation where I lived in Gangnam but moved back to the states during the pandemic. Thank you for being vulnerable!

[abrahammm]

Hey, Nathalie! It's me, Abraham. Glad to see you're back here!

I agree with your video 100 percent. Last year was very rough for me as well moving back to the states. I thought I was going insane but realized I was depressed. I did feel like I was in limbo and I do feel like the pandemic did contribute to the depression, but thankfully I had some momentum towards the end of the year. A few times I'd even thought about escaping back to Korea because it's a very familiar, comfortable space. Thank you for making this video. It is really nice to know that i wasn't alone feeling the way i did about the transition back. 🤗🤗.

Very happy for you and your accomplishments.

-Abraham

[acivilright]

So glad to see you're healthy and well! Lol my new covid greeting.

I hope things are looking up for you on the job front. I loved watching your vlogs when you were abroad and I'm glad to see you are vlogging a bit again. My sister taught English first in China and now in another country in Asia and has been gone for almost a decade so tour videos gave me comfort, knowing she was probably OK.

Korea was part of your formative years, you have every right to talk about your experience.

I'm in the DMV area and I wish I could help you. I feel like you have a lot of skills that would be valuable in this area. Keep your head up, Natalie!

[andreasophia]

It is such a memorable experience to live abroad. we grow so much faster, learn, and make connections.. It is hard to get used to the everyday mundane life again.

[heyhaggy]

I feel that. Not coming back from abroad but coming home when the pandemic shut down my college campus. Realize I have outgrown my adolescence