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Adapting to Life as an Expat


#nextchaptervietnam

As an expat, I, along with many others, tend to go through several phases in adapting to life abroad. There are times when we feel like we're living the dream and other times when we wonder if we have made the right choice in moving away.

This isn't my first time moving abroad, so I'm not that surprised by many things that have happened and many of the emotions that I have felt over the last few months. Dubai and HCMC are very different cities, however the process in moving to each of these places has proven to be quite similar.

The Build-Up
-First, during the months and weeks leading up to the big move to Vietnam, of course I was sad to say my good-byes, but I was incredibly excited (and maybe a tad nervous) about the "new' life I was going to create for myself in HCMC.
Saying Good-Bye to Family
The Honeymoon
-Then, during the first few weeks in Vietnam, everything was new and therefore very impressive. New apartment, new workplace, new position, new colleagues, new gym, new soccer team, new run club, new food, new kind of transportation, new routine, new climate, new travel opportunities...Life wasn't the least bit boring.
Impressed with everything Vietnam has to offer
The Plunge 
-Eventually, the novelty of things in Vietnam starts to wear off though. I begin missing bits and pieces from my "old" life and I become frustrated with little things in my "new" life. Overall, I just start feeling a tad down on myself.
Missing friends from Dubai
The Recovery
-Finally, the negativity will wear off and the positivity will set back in again. I will begin to truly understand and accept things the way they are and I will simply adapt to a new way of life in Vietnam.

Can you guess what phase I'm currently in?

...

If you guessed "The Plunge", you're correct!


Time to turn the page and begin the next chapter - The Recovery.


"Will it be easy? NOPE. Will it be worth it? ABSOLUTELY."



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