I have lived as an expatriate my entire life, born into a Somali family, raised in Dubai, and then moved to Germany for university. Now at 25, I have finally graduated, but I struggle with my own sense of identity. I find myself adapting my behavior depending on the cultural group I am with, whether it's Arabs, Somalis, or Germans. I am fluent in Somali, Arabic, English, and German, yet I still feel like a fraud and doubt that I will ever truly fit in. It's ironic how people often idealize multilingualism as a way to bridge cultures, when in reality, it can lead to significant cultural disorientation and a perpetual feeling of not quite belonging, at least in my experience.
An issue behind so much expat and dig nomad media- you address it so well. Thanks for doing this. It seems that once the trajectory is set in exploring many places, locals that you meet tend to not relate because they did not have that range of experiences. It seems to start with not feeling belonging and it definitely seems to lead to this feeling too. But adventures are certainly had- experience of the extra ordinary in place of belonging I guess.
Lived at some point 4 months in Sweden. Years ago. As a Norwegian from Northern Norway I look at especially the northern part of Sweden as flat ,boring and cold on the inland loll But , it is true that places there has some magic lights.
We came into this world alone and we leave this place alone. The more experiance in relationship we get , the more we find out that our true love is ourselves. I really belive that. Just like the younger we are the more a brake up can hurt us.
From Scandinavia. Lived in some Scandinavian countries, Canada, the U.S and went to south America and Asia. Glad i did and I will move soon again. I mean.. I feel like an expatI even in my own country. Have an idea what I am searching for more at this point. It`s about finding that place, right? :) You did hit a nerve with this video. What is your country of origin and how long have you been an expat and where have you been?
When vacating and exchanging one's own culture and language for another, it takes much time and effort to make it work. It's never easy. As I've always said "Patience is a virtue perfected when living abroad!"
#4 is crazy important. I tend to fall into this thinking often. But things end for a reason. It's good to remember that. And to hear someone else say it as well. Thank you for this video.
I don't even need to watch I don't belong All my fam is in the north of England I've lived in Australia for 12 years But I've not found my people there either I'm always on the outskirts, on the periferals of groups, social even, friends groups. Everyone else seems to be able to do it I never meet ppl, ,men, partners. I don't know how to do that what ever country I am in
I am from the middle east and living in Portugal. No matter how nice, polite, and polite I treat people, there is a vast discrimination and cultural violation towards my home country, Iran, that makes me prefer to avoid socializing, and despite my love towards solitude and self-development, it worsens my experience of loneliness living abroad.
i would say this, you’re probobly a great person and most likely people don’t have an issue with you, but.. a lot of people in western countries are very upset right now with the absolutely massive amount of people coming to our countries, wether it’s asia, the middle east, africa or south america. people are noticing all the european aspects of the culture going away while being replaced with those of other countries (and this is actively promoted and pushed in our faces by our leaders). it’s not your fault but rather our leaders for forcing this mass migration. i’m sure iranians would be the same way if europeans were replacing the culture, history and heritage of iran with a european one. some immigrants want to immerse and assimilate into the cultures of the countries they move to, but there’s also a lot that don’t, this causes a lot of bad attitudes towards foreigners right now. and it is documented that people feel comfortable and safe around people from their own regions. i’m sorry your experience has been bad, it’s just a really bad time to be here as things are at a boiling point. if this migration weren’t happening on a massive scale people would be much more friendly and open to learning about your culture as well.
Was cheated on by someone who said she wanted to get married to me. 36 now. Feel like I just want to keep making a lot of money and idc about women anymore.
Thank you for sharing this ❤ I've lived in Switzerland for 15 years, & I always feel like I'm that odd 'foreigner'. Like you said having that shared background is so important. I truly can't relate with most of the conversation my co-workers are having. But also it sucks because they wouldn't understand why I feel this way.
Amazing experience! I am in the process of planning this trip. Did you get your tickets online? If yes, can you share the link to the website? Thank you!
Hey! If you stay at the Abisko Guest House they are for free! But I guess you can rent them too since you can book all the sort of activities there 😊 thanks for watching and sorry for the late response. Its been a couple rough months 🙈 thanks for watching!
Wow - what an intense journey. Without knowing you and your story, this final episode brought me to tears cause of your excitement about the Aurora and your thoughts about life at the end... Thanks for sharing!! Found these Vlogs in preparation of my Stockholm/Kiruna trip this Christmas. Now I know a little bit better what to look for... 👍
I left home at 16 and have been an expat all my life. Now 53 years old I moved to my home country 6 months ago. I can honestly say that the place I feel most alone and most a stranger, is home.
it's also this cold in much of alaska, but in those cold places, there's not much snow. the snow is deep in the southern and western coasts, but the interior is dry.
Just a comment - the name "Abisko" is pronounced "aa-bisko" (stress on the first syllable, not the second one). Glad you enjoyed your trip! An advice - skip the music in your videos. It's way too loud and adds nothing to the viewer's experience.
How long should one stay at Abisko? What do you recommend? I am going in the second week of coming December and I am not sure if i should be there for more than a day after visiting Sky station! BTW very good vlogs. Keep it up 😊
great video... Planning to go either Kiruna and Abisko OR Rovaniemi Finland this Dec.. Did you book any tour package there? How about internet connection, are there pocket wifi or sim card to be purchase? Thanks
I would definitely recommend Abisko if you seek for peace and less tourists around. I haven't booked tour packages, but I did book some activities like snowmobile tour and a sami dinner. It's pricey, have to say, but it was worth the experience. They have wifi at the guest house and you could buy a prepaid sim card in Kiruna. Hope this helps!
We've just come back from Kiruna and Abisko, lovely to see what it looks like in the winter, was so alive when we were there in the summer...such a contrast! Will have to visit again but in the winter... keep up the good work with the videos, you are capturing well and are good in front of the camera , I'm sure the channel will grow fast with this type of content.. subscribed :)
I cried watching this video. You expressed exactly what I needed to hear. I’m a new expat and today was rough. I sat in a chair and hid from the world with no idea what I was feeling, except that it wasn’t good. I feel things as an expat I have never felt before and it can be hard processing those emotions. Thank you so much for awakening in me what I needed to realize. I really am grateful.
@@isamukim1693 Maybe if you look up the literal definitions of expat vs. immigrant, you wouldn’t look like such a bozo. There are literally English language differences between the two words, despite your own opinion on them.
I used a Canon M50. But electronics in general don't survive long in the extreme cold, so you gotta have a couple extra batteries with you. Thanks for watching 😊
Hello, thank you for amazing videos. I watched and loved all your artic experience videos:) I am also planning to have the same train experience to Abisko. You have said that your train was canceled because of weather conditions. Did you buy a refundable ticket or a non-refundable one? Because I will buy a train ticket in a couple of months and I am unsure if I buy a non-refundable ticket and the train will be canceled, should I pay for a new one? Thank you :)
