Before Spain, I had a specific way I traveled. For me, it was all about seeing as many sights as possible, trying to take hundreds of photos, and checking countries off my list. I wanted to see as many countries as I could. Living abroad changed my view about travel. Travel wasn’t just a vacation or getting away, it became part of my life. Soon, the way I visited new places changed. It wasn’t about seeing all the countries or cities, it’s about seeing and feeling more in the places I do visit. If I see less countries, that’s ok because I have really gotten to know the culture and people of the country.
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Living Abroad Taught Me to Really Take in the Sights
Before Spain, I was the kind of traveler who had a list of things I had to see and do. I filled the days from morning to evening with things to do. But after living abroad, I realized the feeling of slowing down gives more meaning to your vacation.
Spending time observing daily local life, hanging out in a cafe, wandering through markets, or just sitting in a plaza people watching lets me learn more about a place than rushing through it on a sightseeing tour. Slow travel gives you the time to connect with people and places in a way that you don’t read in the guidebooks.
You see the Eiffel Tower from the top, bottom and at night while chatting with people who live in Paris about the history of the tower or their first experience seeing the Eiffel Tower. A local view is different from a tourist view. It’s always interesting the things locals tell you about their city.
(Check out my post about things to do in Paris for more recommendations)
I Pay Attention to Everyday Life While Living Abroad
Living abroad makes you notice more of the little things. I see how people spend time together, how they greet one another, how they go about their days. Spain in general has a slower pace of life, but people don’t ever seem to be in a rush to get anywhere. They seem to be enjoying each day. Hanging out on terraces, finishing up a late lunch or drinking coffee at 5 o’clock in the afternoon all while enjoying the weather.
Now, when I travel, I don’t just look for famous landmarks, I explore more, use public transport, eat in local restaurants and really enjoy the food. These everyday details are the real beauty of a destination.
Experiences Matter More Than Checklists
My old travel style was all about the “must-sees.” Breezing through a city, not really seeing it. But living abroad has shifted my focus a little. I learned that experiences, like talking to locals, taking a cooking class, or just wandering the cute little neighborhoods, are far more meaningful than checking off every museum or monument. And pictures don’t tell the whole story.
One of my favorite experiences was my trip to Brussels. I took a chocolate making class. I met travelers from all different countries and got to make real Belgium chocolate. These are the stories you tell friends and family about and turn out to be my favorite memories.
Living abroad teaches patience, immersion, and flexibility, now travel is about that too. You actually participate, not just observe.
(Check out my trip to Brussels and the chocolate making class here.)
I’m More Comfortable With the Unknown
Living abroad means facing a lot of uncertainty, language barriers, confusing paperwork, and situations where you’re forced to just figure things out. Those experiences taught me resilience and made me braver. It’s hard to walk into a public office or go to the police station and try to fill out documents without stress when you’re not fluent in the language.
One of the things I learned, especially in Spain, is that people are more than willing to help and most importantly they are kind. It’s so refreshing. It helps me to relax a little more.
Now, if things go wrong while traveling, if I get lost in a new city, miss a train, or try having a conversation in a language I don’t speak, I don’t panic, I know these little things become part of your travel stories.
Living Abroad Redefined What “Home” Means
Another change for me is that “home” feels different now. After living abroad, travel doesn’t feel like leaving home anymore, it feels like expanding it. It’s a mix of all the places where I’ve built connections and memories. It feels less like escaping and more about creating relationships. I have so many amazing memories of people and places I’ve been and have met along the way. Now, I can visit places to see the people I met on my past trips. It gives me another reason to travel as well, I want to spend time with people I connected with.
I Look for Deeper Travel Connections
Living abroad taught me the importance of relationships and connections. My best memories weren’t just about places but about people and friends who welcomed me into their lives while I was traveling. I have great memories of sharing dinners and having coffee with new people I met. Talking and chatting with locals. Most people I know love to talk about their own countries because they are proud of their country and are excited to talk about it with others.
Traveling isn’t just an escape or get away, it’s a lifestyle. Because I’ve already adjusted to daily life abroad, these travel days are just an extension of how I live now. When I travel, I look for those types of connections. I want conversations, shared meals, and glimpses into real life. That’s what makes a destination unforgettable.
Final Thoughts
Living abroad has transformed my travel mindset. I no longer see travel as something temporary or rushed, but as a lifestyle built around patience, people, and connections.
Living abroad didn’t just change the way I live, it changed the way I travel. I don’t think I’ll ever want to stop traveling and I still want to see as many countries as I can, but I take more time in cities and learn more about the culture and the local people.
