[fit2rule]

One of the best things I've ever done for myself is pack up and move to another country - just to get out of the cultural bubble we all get wrapped up in. Culture is nothing but a bunch of lies; when you shift from one to the other and give yourself a reset, you see just how much this brings to bear on the individual. Eventually, dealing with a foreign language and strange people can be quite enlightening, if you treat the exercise as a means of rejuvenating your ability to respect the peace and quiet you'll get, at least for the first year.

I've done it a couple times now, having no real affinity with national identity, but I sure do love the cooking and language I've managed to collect. And finally, real experience with the people of the world, not just My Own Team™ ..

[HeyLaughingBoy]

Ditto but instead of countries I moved from the Northeast US to the Upper Midwest. Same countries, but personalities, and people's general mood were so different it felt like a foreign country.

In my case I knew that I needed a change and had to force myself out of the mold I had grown into. Moving halfway across the country to a place I had never been, not knowing anyone there was just the kick in the ass I needed.

[corford]

>One of the best things I've ever done for myself is pack up and move to another country.

Having done this 4 times now, I can't tell you how true this is (as is the rest of fit2rule's post).

To anyone thinking about it, find a way to do it and take the plunge. There's no way in hell you'll regret it.

[sliverstorm]

It can be hard work to rebuild your social circles though. Unfortunately for some of us, we are both not great at building social circles, and also fairly dependent on them for sanity.

In my experience I can go for about a year without a solid social circle, but after that I start to go nuts.

[danpat]

This absolutely mirrors my own experience.

[sdfjkl]

Mine as well. It will change you for live, and from my experience meeting other expats, I think for the better. You get a whole new perspective on both origin and destination countries. Even if you go back after a few years, you'll be changed.

No, going somewhere on holiday for a few weeks/months is not the same. You have to live and make a living there.

[vijayr]

Where did you move from, and which countries did you move to?

[fit2rule]

Australia->America->Japan->England->Germany->Austria.

Very 'western' I know, but nevertheless, lots of culture got stripped away, new layers added, and underneath it all I found myself. Soon as my kids get a bit older, we'll probably move to Peru.