Have you ever dreamed of living in a foreign country?
The allure of new landscapes, cultures, and opportunities can be incredibly enticing. However, the path to relocating to another country is filled with expected and unexpected challenges. In this article, we’ll delve into the journey of moving to a different country, exploring childhood dreams, failed attempts, and valuable lessons learned along the way.
Childhood Dreams of Living Abroad.
When did the idea of living in another country first spark in your mind?
For me, it began when I was around 8 or 9 years old. Although my reasons at the time were different from my current motivations, the desire to experience life in a foreign land took root.
I remember it all started with the television series “Dallas.” My parents eagerly watched each episode, and I found myself captivated as well. While they were drawn to the show’s storyline, I was fascinated by the landscapes depicted on screen. The scenes featuring vast animal farms intrigued me, especially since my parents had a small-scale farm of their own in Romania.
The disparity between what they had and what was portrayed in the series was immense. Everything seemed larger, with modern machinery and impeccable organization, while my parents’ reality consisted of old tractors, outdated cars, and manual labor in the fields.
The towering skyscrapers also caught my attention. At the time, Romania didn’t have such architectural marvels. The tallest building in the country had around 22 floors, and it certainly wasn’t made of glass. Moreover, I hadn’t even seen that building in person because my parents lived in a rural area far from the capital.
Years have passed since then, but the desire to live in another country has remained a constant presence in my mind. As I grew older, my fascination with “greener pastures” expanded beyond landscapes and encompassed broader concerns such as Romania’s political situation, healthcare conditions, corrupt education systems, public sector corruption, lack of modern infrastructure, low salaries, and more.
Unfortunately, I haven’t made it to the USA yet, but I did come close—within 20-30 meters of the American border. However, that story is yet to come.
Exploring Italy: A Taste of the Foreign Life.
Italy became the first country I attempted to relocate to.
The rich history, beautiful architecture, breathtaking landscapes, access to both the sea and the mountains, delicious cuisine, and melodic language were among the reasons that drew me in. Additionally, I had an aunt living there who could assist me with accommodation. I resided in Ziracco, a charming Italian village not far from the city of Udine.
If you ever find yourself in the Udine area, I highly recommend visiting Ziracco and Cividale del Friuli.
I also recommend exploring the cities of Grado, Bibione, and Lignano Sabiadorro.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t establish myself there. I arrived in Italy in 2011, not long after the 2008 economic crisis. Given the still-unstable situation in Italy, finding a job proved almost impossible, forcing me to leave after a few months. Nevertheless, it was a marvelous experience, like an extended vacation.
Chasing Opportunities in the UK: A Bumpy Ride.
My second attempt at living in another country led me to the United Kingdom, specifically London, around 2016.
This time, I learned my lesson and secured a job before moving.
I was eager to explore the vibrant city of London.
Unfortunately, my experience with that particular job wasn’t pleasant, but after two months, I found a better opportunity. From then on, I had the chance to truly immerse myself in London. Initially, I resided in East Ham, considered by some as one of the less desirable neighborhoods in the city. However, I found myself quite content there. I enjoyed the small shops with plentiful offers, especially for fruits and vegetables. At the time, you could purchase a large bowl filled with fruits for just one pound—a fantastic deal.
Later, I moved to Greenford to be closer to my new job. It was a more beautiful, cleaner, and quieter neighborhood, although it lacked the abundance of stores with great deals.
In Greenford, I lived in a typical London house dating back to the 1930s, with its charming allure and a perpetually verdant garden.
I always cherished the omnipresent greenery in London, even if it often came with rainy days that didn’t bother me much.
However, as the city experienced several terrorist attacks, including one just an hour before I was in a nearby location, safety concerns began to trouble me and I decided to leave London.
Embracing Simplicity in Canada: A Tale of Two Cities
Canada became my third attempt at settling in a different country.
I mentioned earlier that I had been just a few meters away from the USA, and that’s because I ended up in Canada.
In 2018, after a lengthy immigration process (which, truth be told, I wouldn’t repeat), I arrived in St. Stephen, New Brunswick—a small town in eastern Canada that grew close to my heart. Life there was simple, as it should be, with a relaxed pace.
Unfortunately, job opportunities in that area were scarce, extending across all of New Brunswick province. Although I wanted to stay, I tried to find work in Fredericton or Moncton without success. Generally, Canadian experience or education in Canada was required for most job positions.
Consequently, I decided to try my luck in the more prosperous part of Canada—Toronto, Ontario.
Toronto is a massive city with many attractions, but it comes at a high cost and isn’t uniformly safe. However, I arrived at the beginning of the Covid pandemic, and it took me six months to find a job as my field of expertise in the food industry was severely affected. While the job was almost full-time, it didn’t cover all my expenses.
Constrained by financial circumstances, I decided to move to Calgary, Alberta. It was a much quieter city than Toronto, more accessible, and more affordable. I believed that everything would finally work out there. Unfortunately, my perception changed with the first winter. Until then, I never realized how harsh winter could be. I experienced temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius and bitter, relentless winds. Winter usually lasted for about eight months, with the wind constantly present.
Perhaps due to the weather, I started experiencing health issues (as I’m not fond of the cold). I had frequent headaches, joint pain, and discomfort. Eventually, these health problems compelled me to leave Calgary.
And so, childhood dreams that appeared easily attainable and movie settings that seemed problem-free turned out to be more challenging and complicated than expected.
Now, I don’t know if it was just bad luck to end up in different countries during unfavorable times—economic crises, terrorist attacks, and the Covid pandemic—or if succeeding in foreign lands is genuinely challenging.
Nonetheless, despite returning to Romania, I haven’t given up on my childhood dream. Spain is next on my list. Only time will tell what lies ahead.
I would love to hear about your desired places to live and whether you’ve been able to fulfill those dreams.
In future articles, I’ll share more details about my experiences in each country.
Conclusion.
Moving to another country is a journey filled with aspirations, hurdles, and personal growth. It begins with childhood dreams and evolves into a quest for better opportunities and experiences. While the path may be fraught with challenges such as finding suitable employment, adapting to new cultures, and grappling with unforeseen circumstances, it is an adventure that shapes one’s character and broadens horizons.
Stay tuned for upcoming articles in which I’ll delve deeper into my experiences in each country.