10 Things that Suck About Living Abroad

Living in a foreign country is pretty awesome but it's not always the fairytale that people make it out to me. I'm telling it to you straight-- here are ten things that suck about living abroad, in my opinion.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments.

You can also find me on:
Snapchat: Jess_inLondon

[poruatokin]

I left the UK to move overseas to Japan on a three year contract. That was 26 years ago! Biggest thing that hit me was that when I returned to the UK to visit after 2 years, I couldn't believe how different my friends had become. I called it the village mentality, everyone seemed so small minded about what their neigbour was doing and couldn't understand what the "real world" was like. Then it dawned on me that it was me that had changed - living overseas opens your eyes to alternative points of view and changes your character. It's like leaving home to go to university, or moving from a village to the big city. Once you have done it, it becomes really hard to go back.

[RachelSmets]

I'm still living abroad and moved to many countries for 15 years already. Got divorced in the very first country, sent my ex back home and I kept moving and I LOVE IT!
Single, FREE, and happy!

There are challenges, yeah, but it's worth it!
I love inspiring others to DO It. Overcome fears and step out of comfort all the time.
It transformed my life.

Happy travels,
Rachel

[zunaiandre]

What gets to me is that feeling of ending up not belonging anywhere.One become emotional rollercoaster .

[PetraBotekova]

I can very much relate to this. It has been almost 6 years that I have been living abroad and it was very hard at times but in the end I feel so grateful for all the experiences that made me the person I am today. Shout out to all the global citizens out there :)

[foraminiferan]

You hit all the problems I've been dealing with. I needed some validation, thanks. I'm not nuts.

[LaisMendesIos]

Our nationality REALLY affects how people treat us, and it sucks!

[misstiataylor_]

omg this video is so spot on!! I've been living in Italy for the past two years and you are right, these really are the biggest cons.

"go home or go somewhere new" the worst!

[kazza]

Totally relatable Jess. You feel like nobody else in the world gets it as well. Another great video!

[mjb]

I've been teaching abroad for a year and a half, and I can resonate with quite a few of these. Living abroad is amazing, but people should definitely be aware of the challenges that come with it. Great video!

[Eckaaacr]

I have been living on a foreign country and here and there I just feel alone! Most of the time I don’t feel like that. But when I do I honestly feel like nobody here can relate to me or me to them 🤷🏻‍♀️

[federicamarchionni]

funny how as an Italian I've perceived American bureaucracy as unnecessarily slow and complicated and you've had the same impression of Italian bureaucracy. It may have to do more with being a foreigner (or non native speaker) than with the country itself

[honeyfitz]

Have you ever experienced "culture shock?"   I lived in Japan for a year.  At first I LOVED every aspect of Japanese culture, but during the third month I HATED it and longed to be back in the USA. After a month of misery I got over it.  It is my understanding that most people experience some degree of culture shock.  I think people should be warned about this and reassured that it is only temporary.  The end result is a more balanced and objective understanding of both cultures which is extremely valuable.

[tersadailey]

Excellent video! So true; everything you mentioned. I will never forget being talked down to when a job interviewer discovered I was from the US and not actually Polish (my husband has a Polish last name)...when I was living in the Netherlands. Her actual and palpable disappointment at me being American was so offensive. She was an unfortunate representative of the NL...which is quite a lovely country actually.

[jodingwall]

I'm from Scotland, and currently completing a PhD in Denmark for a period of three years, where I live alone. Doing a PhD can be a lonely experience in itself, but when I add on the fact that my relationship is now long distance, and therefore only get to talk with my partner on the phone most of the time, it gets really lonely sometimes. I often feel that I should be having the time of my life all the time because I am lucky to have a great job, which allows me to travel a lot, but the truth is it just gets very isolating a lot of the time when you cannot share a lot of it with your friends.

[ksenialevina]

I can completely relate to everything you are talking about!! You hit the nail on the head!

[nomadcapitalist]

If you pay taxes somewhere else, there are a series of treaties and credits in addition to the exclusion you mentioned. If you are living in that country full-time, you would likely also get more than 30 days before losing the exemption.

[ylli]

I exactly know what you mean! I'm now living on Bali and will be back home in 4 months. You realize who your real friends are and who to cherish the most. Lovely video xx.

[kayla-dawnharvey]

I’m kiwi and lived in Australia for 2 years. I’m a qualified lawyer but trying to find a job was difficult because most employers needed a lot of convincing that my degrees were “as good” as an Australian qualification, even after going through all the offical processes of being admitted to the bar etc. Qualification discrimination is a real thing!

[brittanyouldcott]

My problem is being asked when I'll be going back.... just like, I've moved here, I'm not gonna leave thanks. I once was asked what part of "yankee land" I was from, in work, by a complete stranger. -_-

[Kiwiamericans]

great channel - I am enjoying your videos