“Expatriate (abbreviated form expat) – a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person’s upbringing or legal residence.” – Wikipedia.com
Expat Expo started last month, where I highlighted why I, the one and only Travelling Starfish, loves being an expat. This month, I’m asking the same question from fellow expat blogger Carole Kay.
Without further adieu…here’s Carole –
Why Do I Love Being an Expat?
Carole Kay
“I have been an expat most of my adult life. I chose to travel overseas due to a wanderlust in my blood and a need to discover more about the big wide world. There were places to go, people to meet and experiences to be had. My profession as a teacher has enabled me to live in Germany, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman and travel extensively.
I think that as an expat you learn a lot about yourself and what is important. You miss family and friends but then you meet the most extraordinary people and get opportunities to meet and mix with people of all nationalities and backgrounds; from the poorest family to some of the most wealthy people in the world.
The opportunities that present themselves have been amazing and very educational. It teaches you as a person to be adaptable, tolerant and patient but also it can be quite humbling when faced with seeing the extreme poverty and despicable working conditions that some people are forced to endure.
The experience for me has been amazing and I would not choose any other path for myself. I think circumstances will take my family and I back to the UK in the next few years and that in itself will be a culture shock after 20 years in the Middle East.”
If you would like to read more about Carole’s expat experiences please check out http://expatbaggage.wordpress.com/
If you are an expat and want to tell me why you love the expat life, click here and I’ll feature you in one of my monthly posts!
Thanks, Miriam 
