(Some) Friends and Family's Reactions to Me...
...moving to Chile (July, 2002; age 17):
"Be safe!"
"Have fun!"
"Call us often!"
"I'm so jealous!"
"You're going to be a world citizen!"
...moving to Germany (March, 2004; age 19):
"Have fun!"
"Isn't it good to be young?"
"You're going to learn so much!"
"Aren't you...scared to be in Eastern Europe?"
"Be safe!"
...moving (back) to Chile (Jan, 2005; age 20):
"Is that where your boyfriends are?"
"Bring back more Pisco!"
"Keep traveling!"
"You're like, fluent now, right?"
"You're going to live in Chile forever!"
...moving to Mexico (Aug, 2006; age 21):
"Oooh, you're going to meet so many cute guys!"
"I've always wanted to go there!"
"You're so smart -- keep your Spanish strong!"
"You young people are so carefree!"
"Have fun!"
...moving to Japan (Aug, 2008; age 23):
"Make that money, girl!"
"How long is the flight?"
"Can I come with you?"
"Bring me back some sushi!"
"Good career move -- get some experience before joining the American job market!"
...applying to the NALC Program in Spain (Nov, 2011; Age 27):
"Is that really a good idea?"
"You can't travel forever"
"You're such a world traveler!"
"What about a boyfriend?"
"You've got until you're 35 to settle down and get a family"
...submitting my application to the Peace Corps (Jan, 2012; age 27):
"Awkward silence"
"You can't travel forever"
"When are you going to settle down?"
"What about a career?"
"I knew it!" (This one made me smile)
--
Only 10 years later, and peoples' reactions to my travels have changed so very much. Is it my age? Are folks worried about me? Hmm. Just a little bit of food for thought.
It seems people have this idea that traveling is only for teens and early twentysomethings! LOL I couldn't agree any less with this idea.
ReplyDelete@Estrella: It seems that way to me as well! But, really, all I can do is just be me and keep on traveling!
ReplyDeleteHey there!! Came upon your blog a few weeks ago and absolutely love it (was looking for some last minute info re: FSOT- took it this past Mon, fingers crossed). I think it is the age factor (I turned 27 last month), I've lived abroad and traveled a fair bit as well and am in the last term of my MBA. A friend of mine on the get married or die trying train mentioned all of those dream killing quotes mentioned in reference to your Peace Corps application (I'm debating whether or not to apply myself), but as I told her "Life is for the living" and that's exactly what I plan on doing with mine!
ReplyDeleteYeah it´s the age thing. I just turned 27 last month, and although I don´t really get these comments in part because my living abroad ambitions are directly related to my eventual career, there is a part of me that wishes I had the means to do this when I was a bit younger. But really, you can start a career anytime, your spouse will find you wherever you are on the planet, and now is the best time to live abroad since you don´t currently have these things tying you to one place.
ReplyDelete@jdNYC: I am dead laughing at "get married or die trying train". Hilarious, but I've noticed that attitude in my friends as wel...still, you are right, "life is for the living". Anyway, keep me posted on your FS plans and how to test turns out! I'm geared up for my second go in June, 2012 :)
ReplyDelete@Packinglightly: I agree -- I am planning on being in the Foreign Service -- which is all about living abroad. I just wish people would get used to the fact that in 2012, love/life/marriage/family is not going to be the same as in the 1980's or even the 1990's. But yes, I'll keep my same travel momentum and just deal with the questions, aha ;)
I have the same reactions! People keep saying, when I was your age, I was 6 years into my career already. It doesn't matter, because the retirement age keeps increasing and increasing!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see you're not letting others' opinions hold you back from traveling! Deciding to go abroad is never really easy (even if you've done it multiple times!) when people/society have these types of expectations, especially for women. But from my experience (& I'm sure you know!) doing what comes from you alone - despite what others say - can be the most empowering decision you can make. :)
ReplyDelete@Dbvais: LOL, so true!
ReplyDelete@Sharon: You're right...my goal is to just do things for my own pleasure, and not let people hold me back. I'll keep my family/friends updated, but I won't let them stop me from realizing my goals :)
Update: Passed the test!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! :)
ReplyDelete