The Benefits of Living Abroad
In 2017, 258 million people lived abroad. The countries with the most people living overseas were India, Mexico, and Russia. And the most popular destination countries for people moving abroad were the US, Saudi Arabia, and Germany.
People move abroad for many reasons. Some people leave their home countries for love, or for better jobs and living conditions. Others run away from violence or war.
Businesspeople might hope to make contacts in other countries or improve their communication skills. Students may move abroad to study at a university or language school. And some people just like to have new experiences.
In March 2018, research from Rice University in Houston, Texas, showed that people who lived abroad had a stronger sense of who they were – a clearer “sense of self.”
The study showed that living abroad helped people think about their values and decide what was important to them, instead of believing what their family and friends taught them to believe.
The study also showed that this effect was stronger among people who lived in one foreign country for a long time. The effect was weaker among people who visited many countries for a short time.
So if you want to “find yourself” through travel, put down your tourist guide and look for an apartment!
