"Living abroad will change you, but it can make you bitter or better."
What does it take to survive and thrive abroad? In this "Words to Wanderers" series, expats and TCKs share their experience and advice. Today, Dana shares her story.
Please introduce yourself! Who are you, what do you do, and what’s one thing you’re loving in your life right now?
Hi! My name is Dana Siguelnitzky and I am currently studying my Masters in Educational Psychology. One thing that I’m loving about my life is actually studying something I am so passionate about!
Tell us about your experience living internationally. Where were you born? Where have you lived? And what brought you to where you are now?
So, I was born in Israel, and my parents became missionaries when I was 12. We lived in Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Trinidad & Tobago, and then I continued travelling for studies and mission to Argentina, USA, and now I’m finally back home in Israel.
What’s something you enjoyed about your expat life?
I remember at the time I didn’t like living abroad. I was homesick, and there was this guy I liked for around 10 years, so it was hard being far from him, haha!
But I think little by little I began to actually understand that this was going to be my life, and I tried to look for local food and customs, and tried to dress the way the people in those countries dressed. I think that was cool, because I got to experience a lot of things and that made me realise the richness of those cultures, plus I always had interesting stories to tell about other places, other languages, and other cultures when I came back home.
What’s a hard thing about living abroad? How did you work through that challenge?
Culture shock. People can think SO differently than me, and they believe things and act in strange ways (strange to me, of course). I think for a long time I let my ego rule and I looked down on them, like I knew better, etc. I think at one point I just realised that it wasn't worth fighting with the locals for them to realise they are "wrong." So I decided to act like them in certain circumstances. That made life much easier because I was more open to learn and have a relationship with them.
How was it to come “home?” Did you feel any reverse culture shock?
14 years later I came back home. I remember sitting on the plane and thinking, “This is it, I’m going home now. Wow, no more moving continents…I wonder if I can get accustomed to that.”
But I remember once I was here, I wanted to leave.
Well, it was a strange situation too, because my family was still abroad and I decided to move to Tel Aviv (I'm from the North originally), so I didn’t know anybody there. I had to look for a home, a job, and then I realised I didn't understand the culture in Israel any more… indeed reverse culture shock. I didn’t miss living abroad but I disliked certain things about the Israeli culture that I hadn’t noticed before. I realised I wasn’t an Israeli at heart; I felt like a foreigner in my own country. Those were some tough years…
How has living abroad/moving around impacted your spiritual journey?
For me I think it really strengthened it. Once I came back home to Israel, my spiritual struggles took on a new level… Many circumstances played a part, but especially the loneliness and not feeling like I belong made me feel like I’m in a spiritual desert here…
What is something you’ve learned about yourself through your travels/life abroad?
That I am empathetic. Rather, I think travelling and meeting new people made me empathetic.
And that I am likeable… not that I didn’t feel liked here, but people from other places accept me and love me, even though I am not one of them. They see my effort to mingle and they appreciate that. That is something very nice, I think.
How would you encourage other expats and global nomads? Or, what advice would you give them?
Living abroad will change you, but it can make you bitter or better; it all depends on your attitude. So go there with an attitude of learning. Don't think less of others in comparison to you; try to learn even from the poorer or humbler -- they have lots to teach you about life and humanity.
Where can we find out more about you?
You can always find me on Instagram. My personal page is @hello.imdana and I also run a small ministry - @becomingeveinitiative - where I talk about faith & mental health, abuse, trauma and how to heal from that.
Thank you, Dana!
What resonated with you from her experience and advice? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned for the next story! Subscribe to the blog below and keep in the know :)
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