“It was all a dream!” (in my Biggie Small’s voice) before living abroad can become my reality. Imagine yourself sitting at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It’s December 23, 2017, and as you sip and savor your 24 karat gold cosmopolitan, something stirs inside you. You realize you want more—more meaning, more influence, more experiences, more genuine relationships. In that moment, you put it out into the atmosphere once again: you want to live a portion of your life abroad. No regrets. No “what ifs.” Just a new way of living. That was my story.
Looking back, I notice the baby steps started long before that trip. Every international and domestic adventure had been preparing me for this kind of transition. Deep down, I always had a love for exploration and adventure. Each trip, each risk, and each bold choice have been building blocks, moving me closer to my dream. I’m a testament to the fact that dreams do come true, and it can happen for you, too. Here’s how it happened for me.
2016
6/2016 – I vacationed for 35 days for my 35th birthday with two friends. We visited Greece, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, the Netherlands, France, Spain, and Morocco. I became comfortable with currency conversion, time zone differences, and climate changes, among other things. Additionally, I also stayed with a friend who formerly lived in metro Atlanta and now resides in Paris, France, which gave me confidence and morale that my desire could someday become a reality. I began to write down my declarations almost daily.
2017
8/2017 – Be careful what you ask for. As destiny would have it (Evidently, I was moving too slowly.), the condo I was renting had been contaminated with mold, so I had to evacuate in an emergency. As the saying goes, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” I saw this situation as an opportunity to reduce financial burdens. I sold household wares, furniture, clothes, shoes, etc, on LetGo and OfferUp.
9/2017 – I leased a room at a friend’s house.
12/2017 – With the discretionary income, I paid off my car loan, consumer debt, and solo-traveled to the United Arab Emirates for 2 weeks. I became comfortable creating a personal itinerary, traveling abroad alone, and making friends while traveling. I visited another friend/co-worker living in the U.A.E., who formerly lived in metro Atlanta, another confidence booster.
2018
6/2018 – I vacationed in Thailand for 2 weeks for my birthday with a friend (Daniel) I met in the United Arab Emirates. International travel was my new normal. Everyone was asking where I was going next.
7/2018 – I put more action to my desires, and I packed everything I couldn’t live without in one suitcase and a backpack. I was living my personal motto, “Live simply so I can live more.”
8/2018 – I took more action; I scanned, shredded, and recycled a ton of papers and magazines.
11/2018 – I traveled to the United Arab Emirates again to spend Thanksgiving with my male friend, whom I met on my first trip to the UAE and vacationed with in Thailand (oh, we got engaged!). The engagement was the icing on the cake. U.A.E., here I come.
12/2018 – I resigned from my job, sold my car, gave my remaining possessions to relatives, friends, and Goodwill. I boarded a one-way flight on 12/30/2018 to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and the rest is history.
2019
1/2019 – I began a new chapter in a new country for the new year. Living abroad exposed me to different cultures, climates, currencies, and cuisines.
A few experiences that took place within my first year of living abroad.
Challenges Will Come
Despite the adventures, challenges came as well. I received a speeding fine via radar while driving in Abu Dhabi. I wasn’t allowed due process. My credit card was just charged by the rental car company. I experienced discrimination on two separate occasions. I’ve experienced lights-out and water-out in Ghana more times than I would like to admit.
I use the word “challenge” loosely, given that I was born and raised in a highly developed country. All in all, the Europhic awards outweigh the illusory challenges.
In the words of the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche –
“That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.”
You’ll soon realize that your challenges are not setbacks; they are tools that help you grow into the highest, truest version of yourself.
Every single baby step you take—no matter how small—carries you closer to the life you’ve envisioned.
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O my cousin it’s a blessing to see and hear the challenges you’ve face, I’m very proud of you this is so inspirational it’s makes you say woww unbelievable..
Love you cousin keep up the good work.
Those who face the fiercest challenges (used loosely … LOL), are most often rewarded with the greatest victories! You are on the path to greatness. In the words of James Allen, As a progressive and evolving being, you are where you are so you may learn that you may grow; and as you learn the spiritual lesson which any circumstance contains, it will pass away and give place to new circumstances. I AM honored to know you.
I love you Queen
I love you more!