What I've learned from travelling and living abroad

Today, August 25, 2017 marks my 4 year anniversary of travel and living abroad.

4 years ago today, I wrote this;

At this exact moment, I really no idea what I was getting myself into. I thought I was going to teach #English in #Korea for a year, travel around WHILE I was teaching and then come home back to Canada and everything would be the same. Having lived and Korea and now have traveled to 18 different countries in the past 4 years, I want to share some things that I have learned for any aspiring traveler not quite ready to take the plunge like I did.

ONE -FAMILY

#Family will also be NUMBER ONE! I am so proud and happy to have such an amazing family. At first they really had no idea what I was doing, but now they are my biggest fans and biggest supporters. Yes, obviously they want me to be "home" but they know that I am cooking up something bigger. If you are fortunate enough to have a loving, supporting family, tell them you love them everyday when you are away. And when they say "I miss you! Come home!" Just know that they are only saying thing because they really love you, but they know you are out doing more than just partying.

TWO- FRIENDS

Your true friends will always be there for you no matter you do. You will quickly find out who your "ride or die" friends are once you live abroad for a few months. No matter what the distance or time, I make sure to connect with my best friends because I know, no matter how much I have changed, or they have changed, we can pick up right where we left off, and really nothing has changed. We are able to embrace each others accomplishments. We are able to reflect and relate on different levels about various impactful (good or bad) moments in our lives.

This photo was given to me by Mike and Karl a week before I left and I still keep it with me when I travel. It is one of the greatest gifts one could receive!

I took this photo with us at Canada's Wonderland 4 years ago. I told him I would be back in 366 days... I went home for a bit, I had to leave again.

Although Bud does get busy with his family and business, he still will always make time for me when I need to have chats.

THREE- EMBRACE CHANGE

Don't #expect things to ever be the "same" when you visit or go back home. The truth is, whether it's 6 months or 6 years. As much as we don't want to admit it, people change. If we don't change or adapt to new things, we die, figuratively and literally. It is our duty as humans to adapt to new experiences, new technology, new cultures, new people. #Embrace this change. Change is good! The only #constant in your life is change. So try new food, meet new people, talk to that stranger, do something you've never done before.

Change is like a #bungee jump. At first, it is #scary. Standing at the edge of a platform with an elastic band tied to your waist, waiting to fall your death. Put your blinders on, because if you look down, you probably won't jump. Count to three... and GO! During this time of free fall, you have no worries in the world only the worry of "is this rope really going to send me back up?" And once it does, you can embrace the fact you have #changed and are now a different person for you have accomplished something you have never done before. And while you hang their, trying not to puke, you look around and see how amazing you are really are!

FOUR- BECOME VULNERABLE

One of the most important things to do while traveling is to BECOME VULNERABLE. Let me explain. As technology becomes more apart of our lives, we are now able to sit in a room full of people and never actually say a word to them because we are in our own world in Facebook, instagram... etc. I am all for that. I am on my phone all day. But, one of the most essential things to do when living abroad or traveling is to open up to strangers right away. Let people see how genuine you actually are. How honest you actually are. The second they know that you are willing to talk and be honest, the second your conversation goes from "How's the weather?" to

"What is your passion? What makes you want to wake up in the morning? If you were to die tomorrow, what would you do today?"

At this very moment, you can have a true conversation with someone and accomplish more in 30 minutes of friendship than what you have accomplished over years with friends at home. I have made some of my greatest friends in the WORLD because we were able to engage in meaningful conversations almost immediately. Once they know that you are open minded and willing to talk about anything, you will feel you have known each other for 30 years, rather than 30 minutes/ 3 days.

Nacpan Beach with Jennifer and Sam.

Bungee jumping with Pat.

Goodbye dinner with Emily.

Night out in Hongdae with Graham, Mina, and Jaymie.

Chillin in Taiwain with Alexa and Lois.

Chillin in Taiwain with Alexa and Lois.

FIVE- DO IT FOR YOU!

Whether you go on 2 week vacation or an around the world trip, or work and live abroad, DO IT FOR YOU. Don't worry about what everyone else thinks about it in the moment. This is your opportunity to be selfish for along as you want. Don't feel bad for #traveling or living abroad. Whether you are young or old, graduated or retired. You MUST do it for you. People are going to disagree or dislike everything you do always. You will always be criticized for everything you do. So you might as well do something you love and f*ck the haters. When you truly do it for YOU, you will be happiest. ONE LIFE. YOUR LIFE. DO IT FOR YOU!

-Anthony