I’m excited about sharing new Expat Stories with you this month while I’m on the road instead of the usual Pipeline. Today’s story is from Sarah who lives in New Zealand.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Kia Ora! My name is Sarah, I am a native Minnesotan living in beautiful New Zealand with
my Kiwi husband and daughter. I met my husband shortly after I started working in small-town North Dakota, where he was working on a local farm. We moved to New Zealand after we got married in 2006 (via Europe) and have made Aotearoa our home ever since!
We came to NZ so I could experience my husband’s culture, and learn about where he was from. We planned to move back to the USA after 5 years of living abroad, it’s been seven years and we seem to keep pushing the date out.
What has surprised you about living abroad?
What has surprised me the most about living abroad, is how my friends have now become my family. I miss my family terribly, but it’s amazing how much of a close-knit group of friends we have. My sister lived here for 6 years – which was so fun! She has recently shifted back stateside with her Kiwi family. The distance can be very difficult to overcome at times, and it’s really quite hard to miss special events and family gatherings back home, but technology is fantastic! I FaceTime or SKYPE back home ALL THE TIME!!
What new tradition or habit do you want to take away from your present home?
I love the relaxed Kiwi attitude and style, and I will definitely take that away with me. Kiwis are renowned for their ‘she’ll be right’ attitude, and not stressing the small stuff. Which at times, can be annoying, but overall, it’s a wonderful attitude to have about life. Somethings are just not worth stressing over.
If a friend came to visit you in your current city for one day, what would you take them to see?
I would take them to see the beautiful Kiwi countryside. Living in the Manawatu region of New Zealand we have a tremendous amount of beautiful green rolling hills dotted with sheep and cattle. While we are not the ‘tourist capitol’ – we are very central to a lot of wonderful places! I will often take people to see the South Taranaki black beaches, the gorgeous Hawke’s Bay vineyards, the Kapiti Coast, the capitol city of Wellington, or even up to Mount Ruapehu.
What advice would you give to someone who is hoping to live abroad one day?
Things will be different living in a foreign country. Food will be different. Transportation will be different. Lifestyles will be different. Once the exciting and newness wears off – and you are into the daily grind of living – it’s easy to compare, and wish you were back home at times. And, that’s okay. I’ve been there! But, not all things that are ‘different’ are bad. Soon you will learn to appreciate and love these differences and soon they will seem the norm. You will find yourself incorporating your traditions from your native country, with that of your adopted country. And, that will be your new normal! And, that is fantastic!! Living abroad is an amazing experience, and is so rewarding. It will give you a much wider view of the world and a broader perspective on life. Do it!!
Thank you so much for sharing your expat story with us Sarah!
