My grandmother who is now over 65 years old recently came to live with us in the UK. Now she never had the chance to study ever, didn't even go to nursery to learn her A B C's so she never learned how to read or write even in her own language. When she came to UK to a completely new different country, language and culture, I can't imagine her frustrations to want to communicate with other elderly people, her age in the streets but not being able to, especially as she's such an extrovert. About a year ago she started to go to Saturday English classes and now she can count 1 to 100, has learned all of the alphabets and is slowly understanding how to form new words. Seeing how hard she tries to learn new cultural habits and language just so that she can integrate to a new society is very inspiring, so when immigrants or foreigners are deemed as lazy its very piss taking because you cant fathom how much hard work people put just so they can communicate and blend into a new society. Having said that I know that not all immigrants are hard workers but same can be said for the natives of this country not all are hard working people because I have seen tons of natives claiming benefit when they are fit to work.

I'm Italian (born in italy and brought up in italy) and I currently live in the UK because of my constant desire to move there and build a new life in London after I finished high school in Italy. Grocery shopping is a struggle because I'm unable to find stuff that I totally took for granted (like fruits and vegetables are so much cheaper in Italy ) and I now had to "adjust" to what supermarkets are like in the UK. Now I'm so used to speaking in english every day of my life that every time I go back to my parent's house on holiday or for Christmas I find that in the first week or so that I'm back I really struggle with speaking what should be my mother tongue (italian) and I often "italianize" english words (I know, my family mocks me when I do that -.- ). Also what you talked about, the initial excitement of friends and family as soon as you are back fades out so quickly and for me to get used to a "normal life" in Italy is quite difficult. My taste buds also changed a lot cuz now in London I can find a huge variety of different cuisines and I love eating asian food on a daily basis but in Italy there is barely any good asian food (and no Boba tea AT ALL!). Lastly, something that I feel like mentioning is the struggle of trying to explain to my italian friends and family objects that I use on a daily basis and food that I eat that you can't find in Italy at all, and there is no good translation for them (like boba tea). Unless I show them a picture and loosely try to describe it there is no way they will understand me. There have been several misunderstandings between me and my mother while trying to explain how things work in the UK in general. I hope there are people out there who can relate to this story :))

I lived in Japan for three years, and I moved back to California in November. Can I just say that I miss NOT having a car?? Car payments, Car Insurance, gas... it's the worst!! It wasn't just me living overseas either. I'm married with two kids. (One was 4 and one was 5 months when I moved to Japan). At first I thought it was inconvenient because I had two small children but I quickly got used to only needing a stroller, and eventually only needing a few reusable grocery bags. I lived within walking distance to everything and now I realize how spaced out everything is in America, and I don't want to go anywhere anymore lol. Too far, don't want to waste gas. As far as friends and family goes, they were interested and/or jealous of my opportunities (I feel I wasted) at first, but now if I bring up anything related to Japan they just go, "uh huh, yeah, cool" or "yeah, but this is America, we don't have that here, get used to it". It's annoying to me because I wasn't trying to complain, but they make me out to be some anti American when I was just pointing out the differences. Sigh There are so many things I miss about being in Japan, and also quite a few things I don't, but the thing I miss the most is just being able to talk about experience. I don't live around many people who know the struggles, and most of my family and friends think that because I don't live in Japan anymore, there is no reason to talk about it.

I've lived in the U.S (a year), the UK (a year), and Ireland (6 months). All these countries are great in their own way but I have always returned back to my home country, Finland. It has most definitely made me who I am. If anyone ever gets a chance to live in another country, do it! It will be such an amazing experience. I yearn to return to these countries and visit them in the future. Hoping to one day travel to somewhere new once again, and get to learn about a completely new culture. My feet are restless. Living abroad teaches you so much, and makes you appreciate both the country you live in and your home country in a completely new way.

Spices.... yes... I never realised until I had been in Korea for about 6 months and it frustrated me so much. I bought a whole bunch when we visited Australia again, but I can't actually use them that much. That's one of the things about being a foreigner and marrying into a Korean family, there are many sacrifices and all these things expected of you, you can lose a lot of freedom. But at the same time it can be extremely rewarding marrying into another culture. I do have days where I'm envious of expats in Korea who can go back to their own apartments and cook what they want and do what they want and have that freedom of their own culture in their own space, but I know at the same time I get to see some extra special things in Korean culture not usually experienced by expats AND visa issues are a whole lot easier for me.

What does living abroad do to you? How do you change? How do your beliefs change? We're going to talk a bit about how life in another country has impacted our lives for this week's video!

English subs now up, thanks again to gianccm!

I lived abroad in Spain for 10 years and I think the biggest struggle for me when moving back to England was dealing with people who had extremely closed mindsets. In Spain there was such a variety of people and cultures (I studied at an international school) but in England I constantly witness people joking about foreigners or making fun of those with accents. It seems really backwards and I just can't wait until I can move abroad again.

I am from Nepal and I'm living in London for now more than 5 years. After staying in London for 3 years I went back home for one month and oh boy I was praying for my flight back to come quickly after a week. Don't take me wrong, I love my country. Weather is great. I have my friends and my dogs with me. Everything is perfect. But the attitude of people and transportation... I never really thought it was this bad. I lived 18 years of my life there and never once I thought about it but after living here for 3 years, I could see such huge difference. In London you will hear 'Thank you' and 'Sorry' all the time. These two words are not so hard and not so great but it'll make huge difference here. However, in Nepal people don't know these two words. I was waiting in line to buy my grocery stuffs in a supermarket and other people just push me aside and pay for their things like I am not there. My brother used to tell me 'this is not London' when I complained. Customer service over here is not perfect but I missed it a lot back home. Nobody is there to help me find an item and in case I find someone to help me, they don't know what I'm looking for. I'm not sorry for being little bit overweight, but the stare people, especially middle age ladies and gents, gave me made me feel so bad about myself. Then again if I had not lived here in London and stayed in Nepal, I would have acted same as them.

I am moving to Korea in two months to teach English and your videos have helped me so much!! So excited about my new chapter.

My Parent's are American but I grew up in Paris France. Since I have American parents the move back to the states wasn't terrible, as my home life had a lot of "american-ness" to it. What I do notice is that now, even as an Adult is there are certain things that I just didn't experience as a chid, so all my friends will be talking about things from the 90's and I'll have no idea what they are and can't share in the nostalgia. "Oh N'Sync? No, I listened to Lorie!" ("Weekend" is my freaking jam!) Another wired thing I notice is foods that I just can't seem to like.... I've lived in the US for longer than I lived in Europe now, but my gosh I can't get used to Peanut Butter!

Okay, 3 weeks is not a lot of time and I don't consider it quite "living" abroad yet more "test trial" living abroad. Either way I was in Japan for three weeks but honestly, I came back with a turned perspective of the US. I had never realized how unsafe America can be and how I constantly worry about keeping ahold of my cellphone and lock my doors at night and lock my car and do allll these things that I don't even question doing. But in Japan, my host family literally left the door open for fresh air all night. Like... how? They also didn't understand why I was shocked when they sent me and my host sisters to Tokyo by ourselves on a two hour train. Back home parents freak out when I even drive near Kansas City! I always knew Japan was extremely safe but crap, it really contrasts America so much so you can't ignore it! And ontop, just how polite the Japanese are was awesome! People were also kind, helpful and apologetic. Of course, again I knew Japanese were polite and it didn't happen to shock me as much but coming back home is where I got a slap in the face of "wow, we're freakin rude!" Got back and went straight to Freddy's (Butterburger And Custard Chain in Missouri and Kansas) and just how cranky and sassy they were was just mind blowing. I really miss top notch hospitality from Japan.

I have been living abroad sooo many years now, what I learned the most is to adopt. Of course, living in another country makes you feel different, but it also makes you more open minded. I kinda feel bad for leaving the Philippines since I had sooo many friends and the community and family bonding is so tight. Living in New Zealand is so different. No family, relatives. Not a lot of people. Speaking another language I'm not accustomed to. Still I'd rather stay in New Zealand. There's so many benefits on being a foreigner as well as good career paths. I think it really depends on the person whether they'd deal with it negatively or positively. I just happen to have a perfect mix of both~★★★★

Hey guys! I've always loved your videos because you talk so openly about Korean culture, but this video just reached a new level. :) Everything you mentioned is so true and I'm glad you are sharing it to the world. I'm French, born in Paris, and I've lived in the New York, Rio de Janeiro, and Barcelona. I love learning new languages and cultures and I will never regret living France, but sometimes I get tired of saying the same thing over and over. Yes I'm French; yes I speak four (almost five) languages; no I don't miss France that badly; of course I want to stay in (insert city name) forever. Everytime I meet someone new I get asked the same questions and it kind of gets tiring, so I understand why you don't want to correct people. The friend thing is sadly very true. I try as much as possible to keep contact with my friends. Meet them when we're in the same city, but it's never the same. I am very grateful for Facebook and other social media, I don't know how I would do without them. Of all the places I've lived, I have never had a problem for looking differently. So I've never had people staring at me for being different. I hope that as Korea is welcoming more foreigners, people will stop thinking of you as "American", but as "adopted" Koreans. This is the best feeling when people assume you are from where you live instead of the traditional "Where are you from?". Everytime I reach this point I feel I have truely learned the culture and it makes me very happy. At last, living with less is definitely true! I come from a country with amazing cooking and most french products abroad are just not afordable, so I usually settle for the local equivalent. It's very good to try new things that I wouldn't have learned to love otherwise. I could never live without a good Chicken Noodle soup when I'm sick, a feijoada once a year, or a real potato and onion tortilla in the summer. Thank you for reading this very long comment and I hope that you will keep making eye opening videos. Marie

Your videos have changed my perspective of Korea and I was so happy to wake up to this video! I hope you guys never stop making videos because they mean so much to me and probably to other people. Thanks for being so awesome! ❤️

Just finding your video….Yes, living abroad changes you! I am an American who lived in China for 4 years. I agree with everything that you both shared. I experienced the same things. Yes, I have been able to find those who have experiences in other countries, but only as tourists. Yes, friends would come and go very quickly, but I always had local Chinese friends seeing that I was mainly working with them and not many other foreigners. I miss the food, the peace, the lifestyle, but not the air pollution and the lack of daily clothing such as shoes. Because I am tall for them (5'7"), I could never find pants long enough nor shoes big enough. I biked, walked and/or took the subway. I bought and cooked fresh food from the market everyday. Yes, I am was person that would say "In China…." My responses from those would simply be that "Well, your not in China" or "This isn't China". After being back here in the States for a few years, there are plenty of things that I still miss about China.

I see your youtube plaques and it makes me really happy. I've seen literally all of your videos. Now onto 1 million subscribers!! :)

HAPPY CANADA DAY, YOU GUYS!

When you guys were talking about friends leaving and moving, I feel that on a personal level. I live in a place near a language school for the state department. Many Foreign Service families move in and out. You make really good friends in 6 months, and then they move to Uganda and you never hear from them again.

I can't believe how awesomely awesome you two are:) The best thing about you is that you're just being naturally you! It's the honesty and genuine silliness that makes you guys so darn special. Keep it up and please keep on being yous!

I'm moving to Japan At the end of July at 26 years old from Pasadena CA. I'm excited and nervous but I am actually enjoying california more now because the move is starting to feel more real as most of my belongings are in boxes ready to ship. If anything I feel I am on vacation more in California now as I'm getting ready to say good bye on July 22, I also started waking up earlier enjoying the sunset on the Pasadena mountains with my morning coffee. Funny I started appreciating those things before the move I guess I'm more nervous then anything

I was too lazy to log-in on the website (but I read the blog post too). I've lived almost half my life (next year will be half my life) abroad. Living in South Korea makes this the fourth continent I've lived on now actually and I totally identify with so many of the things you shared in the video. Have you heard of the phrase TCK (third-culture-kid) though it basically is for people who have lived and grown and changed in more than one place? It means I don't fit in anywhere anymore. I still identify with my home country, but I also identify with other things and places and thoughts and ideas. And it's true. I seek out friends who have international living abroad experience and culture and information. I am a total food snob (which is another common thing for TCK's) and it's hard living in Korea sometimes when all I want is some good Thai food (luckily I've found some decent places). Another thing that I find has changed is my perspective on the world. As you get to know different people and perspectives, you learn very quickly that what you thought was "normal" or the way things people do stuff, is not universal and it's just not applicable. I honestly think that a lot of global conflict and misunderstanding comes from this principle of not really getting someone else's culture and perspective. I think it would be so helpful if people just sat down and asked: well how do you normally do this in your country? Oh, wow, that's a really different idea. Okay, now I won't force you to go along with my own plan. I've also learned that I have to live somewhat in the moment and that I may never have a home to call my own (though I really would like a place to keep my hundreds of books which sadly sit in storage on two different continents right now) T___T - dang that beautiful folio copy of the collected works of Shakespeare - anyway. And what I meant also by living in the moment is that sometimes it means buying that cute bowl because it means that right here and right now is my home and maybe the bowl will fall on the floor tomorrow and break, but at least today it will be beautiful and make my living space be bland. Another thing that has ended up happening to me is that I think in multiple languages. I am fluent in a few, but I have smatterings of half a dozen languages floating around my brain and I talk to myself in all of them. How I express myself even changes depending on who I talk to and in which country. My vocabulary and even accent changes. Luckily my whole family is like me, so we can commiserate somewhat (we live in four different countries, and half a dozen different cities, spanning too many time zones - yay for the Internet and modern technology and apps). Sorry that this was such a long post. Your vlog just really resonated with me and I wanted to share as well. Oh, and I LOVE going to the You Are Here Cafe (the carrot cake is one of my favourites)!!! Oh and so many of your videos helped me so much when I first got here almost a year ago. Thank you! (I've been watching for many years though - my name is somewhere on the Nasty wall, but the videos had a newfound applicability. Especially the washing machine one. Thank you!

I actually grew up in the States (in Arkansas to be precise). I lived there for 4 years between the ages of 8 and 11. I came from France (hello Paris!) not speaking a word of English. When we moved back to France it felt so weird and I was glad we could go back for a month every summer. Now 15 years later I still feel that weirdness sometimes, especially since I haven't been back in 2 years. I crave American food, I miss our friends (who are like family now), I miss the laid back attitude, the scenery, the weather, etc. so much so that when people ask me if I feel more French or American I really don't know what to answer. I am and always will be French, but at heart I'm also part American. Whenever I land on American soil I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders, I feel at home.

YESSS This is the first time i've ever seen this channel, and im glad i know of it now! I lived in China for a few years myself as an expat. I relate to every single thing you said in this video! Thank you for making this!

Glad to see Martina up and better again ;D. So happy that I get to start my morning with this video. I love you guys so much!

I've been in Korea almost 4 years now. I am moving back to the US in September. Even though I've been back to visit a few times, it still hasn't really sunk in that I'm not coming back to Korea this time. I feel like I'm not that different from when I first got here. Sure, I got to learn and experience life in Korea and all of it's culture, but it hasn't really affected my personality. I guess there are some things I got used to do doing because of the environment (like bowing to everyone), but that usually wears off once I've been home for a bit. I think it's good that people get out and experience life in other countries, though. I think, if you didn't know anything about other countries. it is definitely an eye-opener on how different things can be from your home country and that's not necessarily bad.

I never used to comment, but just need to tell Martina that I hope she's feeling better! Truly admire you for pushing yourself everyday and giving it your all to make these awesome videos! Of course I can't forget Simon and the team behind EYK. Love you guys!!!!!!

I love this video and it was so reassuring. I'm an American who grew up overseas with expat parents -- I was born in Hong Kong, we lived in Seoul from when I was 2-10, The Netherlands until I was 12 and then England until I was 19... I'm now married and living back in the states but still struggle with all of these things every now and then. You definitely get to a point where you stop starting stories with "When I lived in ____" and learn to adjust what you talk about, but it is what you know and does change how you look at everything. Not to mention the ridiculous unquenchable wanderlust. Anyway, rambling now... but thank you for this video, makes me feel less like a freak!

Speaking about Canadia,.. happy Canada day! ;)

I love you guys... Soo damn much

I am so happy that you made this video. I was living in China for 4 months and I already experienced some of this, and now I'll be living in Japan for a year starting August. That's why I love making videos to document culture shock and change.

You couldn't have timed this video more perfectly... I returned yesterday to Europe after a couple of weeks visiting my family in Canada (Happy Canada Day by the way!), and even though I've gone back to visit multiple times over the past few years, for some reason this time felt so different. It's a lot like what you described, and hearing these feelings put into words helps me sort through things better. You guys are magical.

Nice new ending screen guise !!!!

oes Simon has like giant booger up his nose?! XD i cant focus!

Brilliant vid. I lived in The Netherlands for 8 months while in college. Coming from the USA much less Mississippi, it was a game changer for sure. This was in 1986 and those 8 months profoundly changed my life even to this day. All the things you mentioned, the comparative thinking, things you miss both from home and from the place abroad. I will say you have been given a great gift in understanding the world as a whole. Pity more people are not able to experience that adjustment in perspective that yields so much wisdom. Happy belated Canada day.

I'm a TCK and have been moving around since a very young age. It was really nice to hear you talk about these things from your experiences and perspectives.

This is a kind of awkward question... can u do a tldr on hair in Korea. Like in the us its rare to see a girl walking around with hairy armpits. So I was just curious about the reactions in Korea? Random question I know...

I lived in Pakistan for 3 years with my family and we always got looked at it's something you get use too. But because we are white they always thought we were rich and would up the price of a lot of things. When I was there I did miss some family members but I also had family members in Pakistan so it was okay. What I missed about London when I was in Pakistan was the parks and just everyday life there and also the simple things such as always having electricity. But when we moved back to London I missed my friends a lot from Pakistan. I also missed the weather and the amount of holidays I got off from school 😜

I lived in Japan! Things that has changed me a lot was for sure recognizing that I was an American- similar to your situation. People are much more quieter too so talking softly is a must, otherwise you kind of stand out. Bowing and pouring drinks for your friends are all little habits I gained!

So happy to stumble on this video, you guys! Three months into living in Hong Kong -- and a month out from my first trip to Seoul -- I truly appreciate the sentiment here. Y'all are an amazing resource (national treasures?) and I can't wait to check out the coffee shop in December.

I've never lived abroad but you know the US is pretty big and there are a few differences in certain parts of the country. For instance my husband might be stationed somewhere up north (we're from the south) and I did some research and apparently it's almost impossible to get good sweet tea up there 😱 I would die. I need my sweet iced tea!! Oh, and also I heard they don't have mexican food, well like authentic mexican. It's pretty strange to see these differences in your own country haha

Hi EYK! :D

I move to another country every 4 years and its really hard to connect to friends. The first month felt like a holiday and then afterwards it just became my everyday life. If I go back to my home country, I compare all the little things like the language you usually hear in crowded places are different, how people line up, how people order food and how people dress. I also started to think differently like what is expensive and cheap, what is tasty and what is not. A lot of farewells especially for me and its actually quite fun but sometimes you just wake up and be like "Oh, I am in ______". Thanks for reading and have a nice day wherever you are :)

The one time you'll be in San Francisco, I'll be in Mexico. JUST FOR THAT WEEKEND!!!!! //cries// Please come to sf again! Also, you guys should look up Lee Michelle, she's an amazing singer!

Why can't you buy underwear online and have them shipped over. Do a lot of online shops not ship to Korea?

I would say that about 75% of the Chinese I've heard since living in Taipei has involved 外國人 (=foreigner)... and the staring... oh, the staring....

I feel the same way! I was born & raised in South Korea, lived in New Zealand for 2 yrs, lived in Canada for 5 years, and currently living in the US now. I too, cannot stop comparing things from perspectives of different countries and often have to correct others that im not chinese. Nontheless, living abroad in so many countries has been a huge plus for me. I think i can safely say that i am much more culturally competent/compatible than an average Korean. Thanks for your videos!

Nooo! Mordney's back! Lol

when white people live abroad: expat. not expected to be as 'local' as the natives there. when minorities live in western world: expected to be as 'western' as possible and cast out if one doesn't act 'white' enough. i am happy that u guys are having a good time, but also jealous that u don't need to live under the pressure to assimilate :( i moved to canada as a kid. and it was sad that people didn't take me seriously when i didn't act 'white' enough...

There's a huge bugger in simons nose...

At least you guys aren't the weaboo KZfaqrs who claim that they are "forgetting English" because they've lived in Japan for 5 years.

I would love to be in the position of meeting new people from all around the world, becoming close, and then parting. That's the ultimate network. You guys are inspiring.

I totally get the feeling of "otherness" especially when you meet some people the first time. Some people mean well but can be so ignorant or offensive. And I can definitely tell a real friendship from a superficial one where you just wanna talk but not really get in too deep. Another thing is I'm definitely more open minded now and sensitive towards different cultures. It's also strengthened my own identity as well. Living abroad really changes you but it's something to carry for the rest of your life whether you decide to stay abroad or go back "home". Thanks for this guys! Hope you get your underpants Martina!

I have to agree with all of the things you've discussed in this vid. I lived in US for 3 months because of a college program and I experienced missing all the food I took for granted when I was still in my home country. The struggle is really real.

You guys published this video on the day I came back from living in Brasil for exactly one year... So far I've only seen my mom and tomorrow will be day 3 for me seeing friends for the first time! Let's see how many of these things are right for me as well. Thanks for the warnings!!!

I've lived and taught in Turkey, but I've also lived in a lot of Canadian cities over the years, and honestly, even regionally in Canada your points of view change a great deal. I've obviously learned to be more accommodating and understanding of others, but something fundamental has changed inside of me. I'm a vastly different person now than ten years ago when I was in Windsor. I'm more confident, more open to new experiences and overall I think am a better person thanks to all the different things I've experienced. That, and no matter where I am I always have an uncontrollable urge to explore and travel. I get antsy living in one place for too long.

Thanks for this vid.. yes been living in abroad for 3 yrs now.. and for this year I moved to Canada (happy Canada day btw Martina and Simon) and my constant struggle will be like you cherish your family and friends more that you're not with them...

hello from CANADA guys

I found this really helpful. I will be going to study abroad in Japan in March and I have always wondered some of these things. I know that I will probably change a lot while living abroad for a year not just because of the culture and experience, but just the fact that being a year older can be a huge change for some people. I know that my perspective has changed a lot almost every year so I feel like when I come back, my friends won't want to hang out with me anymore or they'll just forget about me because I haven't seen them in so long...

On a more serious note. I totally relate. I'm from Belgium and lived in the USA. It was really hard at first because some things totally normal to you, are just like weird or inexistent in the new country. Getting used to food is a challenge, getting used to the way people are. Social dynamics are so different. I went with the spirit of "Just get used to it" and I think there is nothing else to do. I shared about my culture but I wasn't there to make a revolution out of it. I cooked my family recipes for people to try, but I ate mostly American food. You have to be open to every experiences and try to always understand, even if you ask 2000 questions. If there is a misunderstanding, just tell the people "I'm sorry, in my culture, it's like this, I didn't realize it was a problem here. I understand now, I won't do it anymore". Obviously, you can tell that I speak English, I tried to learn as fast as I could so I could make friends and communicate better with people. I trained myself by reading every day middle grade books so I could read faster in class. Overall, everyone was very welcoming. I was only 17 at the time, the only people who gave me a hard time where some of my classmates. I think they were just as scared as me to talk to someone who didn't speak their languages. The teachers were the funniest, they would ask me about "Europe's point of view" over some stuff. It's oversimplified to put it like this, of course, but I tried to answer my best about immigration, WWII, stuff like that. Some students took me under their wing and invited me to their parties, to hang out, etc. It was a lot of fun. Going back home was even harder. I'd say that 30% of my brain became American, and when I moved back, everything I did in my life was in English but no one speaks English here. No one watched the shows I watched, no one listened to the music I listened to (I got into the music scene of where I lived, so indie bands and such), no one would get my jokes, no one I knew had ever been to the USA, so I couldn't share much. It was meaningless to them. My life had been in the USA for so long that I was a little lost, so many things had changed, I had to get used to the Belgian food again... At first, it made me feel very sad and slightly depressed but then with time, it got better. I still do my American things, but I talk about them with my American friends through social media, and I do Belgian things with my Belgian friends. I still have English in my brain all the time, and I'm happy like that. I visit my friends in the USA when I can ^^ Sometimes I share my point of view about different matters, because I've also lived for extended periods of time in France, the UK, Germany and South Korea so, I can definitely see the difference between the countries. I think it makes for a richer soul. I don't think I would like to go back to just being Belgian. It makes your more understanding and compassionate when you know how to reach for people, even if they don't share your language or your culture. I can also say that people's view of America in Europe is very biased by the media here, that's for sure. I try to educate people sometimes but I also give up a lot. If people are set on believing something false even when they never set a foot in the USA, then it's their problem :p

I spent 5 months in Timor Leste when I was 18. That was only a brief excursion from Australia but, wow, that was a huge learning curve. Going overseas alone, I had to learn why and how I should care for myself. I also saw for the first time families and communities that depended fiercely on each other for survival and the responsibility that came with a superior position. It was a really intense experience but I really appreciated it how much I took from it. Sometimes I recommend to friends to throw themselves into a situations like this haha makes you grow up real fast

Totally relate. I lived in Japan for 4.5yrs and loved so many aspects - the food culture, observing how people live, experiencing kindness from locals, feeling independent on the trains... I did miss family, being able to buy clothes and shoes.. Coming back to NZ I felt lost and without a path, and drifted away from my friends. I'm now bitten by the travel bug and appreciate people from other walks of life. (Katherine)

Omg I really needed to hear this lol I'm going to study abroad in Japan in August and some of the things that you talked about were things I worried about. Thank you for posting this:D

I'm studying abroad in Japan right now, and it has definitely made me realize and appreciate the things I took for granted at home, as well as made me really widen my perspective on people all around the world. Having friends from so many different corners of the earth really widens your views and helps you to understand and love more people. I think traveling/living abroad is such an incredibly valuable experience that everyone should be able to have. :)

I'm American living in Singapore, I can totally relate to most of what you guys said it totally cracked me up!

I've never lived abroad, but I plan on moving to Canada (probably Québec) in the future. It's gonna take some time, but it's great to see people's opinion of living abroad and how it changes you so we're ready for those things!

Helpful Vid! Thx. It's refreshing to hear others who can relate~ This is inspirational in the sense of sharing my own stories.

This is my first video from your channel and I gotta say - I now know what the hype is about. Thank you for explaining so clearly what it's like to live overseas I can't seem to find anybody who knows that difference around me. It's crazy how much perspective you gain in terms of culture and it's often times frustrating because people in the U.S (or Canada) don't understand a lot of it and it comes across as ignorant.

In little less than a month, I'm going to be moving to Korea for the next four years to take my undergraduate courses at Yonsei university. I've been following you guys for a while and am a HUGE nasty, but I've never really connected to one of your videos on a level that I have with this one. As I find myself packing up my room, and basically my childhood here in Hawaii, a lot has been zooming through my mind. Thank you for making this video and writing the blog post. It was a nice eyeopener and a means of excitement. The changes that you've both been through are not exactly positive, but definitely things I look forward to experiencing and learning from. I hope to one day meet you in Korea! I'm staying mainly on Yonsei's Songdo Campus for my freshmen year, so I hope to one day run into you there too ^^ Thank you so much for just being an inspiration and huge info provider for one of the biggest steps I will ever take in my life!

I've never lived abroad, but my parents have immigrated to Canada from Lebanon. And my mom always finds she has the exact same struggles as you guys do. She would always tell me how much easier it is for her to make friends and have fun with her family in Lebanon. On top of that, whenever we go for a family trip, she brings back as many spices, and plates/pots that she needs to cook with back home, because she can't find them here. I found this topic very interesting, and I'm glad other people can see that too.

Oh I so much agree with the part about new friends (and just people generally) coming and going so fast! Something I always thought would be horrible, but eventually became everyday life...

my cousin has lived abroad in Australia and the Middle East with her husband, and the experience has made her appreciate her time spent with people. She is very mature and understanding of others differences. Also, she has had to go without pretty much all her regular possessions so she is not very materialistic and really appreciates what she has.

Thanks simon and martina for the video. I'm going to study abroad soon for 8 years. This video helped me a lot.❤️

This video really speaks to me, I've lived in Asia for the past 4 years, which really is not that long, but it was the formative years of my life (highschool lol). In this time, I lost connection with all of my old friends in Canada just because our lifestyles were so much different. People were just in general didn't like hearing about my life abroad, and just wanted me to act like I hadn't changed. But living abroad really helps you grow and defiantly changes you as a person. I sadly at this point only have 2 friends back in Canada, and both friends were ex-pats who I met through this lifestyle, we understand eachother in a way that is sometimes difficult to explain to people.

I just passed the last oral a-level exam and wanted to wach one of your Videos and then you uploaded this one! Such a good day =)

Can't wait to see you guys

It is easy to say that while life itself is full of change, living abroad changes perceptions, expectations, desires, and reality. Much of it for the better from my own perspective. I love living in the tropics and would find it difficult to re-acclimate back to a life filled with Americanisms. Nice vid guys. Sub'd!

I've been living abroad in Norway now since august (almost a year, but I have come back to North America a few times during the year) and I can totally relate to this. Of course not all of it is as extreme of a culture difference from Canada to Korea, however I do relate to seeing friends come and go, as well as being culturally shocked when returning and having to adjust to what you are used to. Hope you guys have a great tour around Canada and the USA, and enjoy your time being home :)

You seem like very positive people, your videos are fun

The vampire thing! Yes! I've lived in Japan for just short of 10 years now and I've used the vampire explanation many times not just for friends and whatnot but also (since I have not been back to the US in something like 8 years) for cultural things. Great video!

I lived in England when I was 7~9 years old; and even back then I felt that "otherness." I knew I would go back to Korea someday, but I loved my life there, so I wondered why I wasn't born here, with white skin and blond hair. And I concluded that there must be a reason I was born in a little faraway country, and decided to embrace it. Yes, 9 year olds can think like that.

I stumbled upon your videos/channel last night & haven't been able to turn it off ever since. Super funny & extremely informative. BTW This particular topic is something I've been dealing with past twenty some years living abroad various countries and you guys put it in a most simplest, honest way. Absolutely right ON. It also sounds that you guys became very ' Seoulful/Soulful' ... Keep up with good work & Thank you

I lived abroad in Paris a couple summers ago and one weird thing I missed from living in the United States was DRIVING. Like being able to go where I wanted, when I wanted instead of waiting for public transportation. Also, being able to listen to my own music, having my own personal space, and being able to control the temperature was something a never thought of until I didn't have it. Of course, now that I've been back, I miss public transportation because I didn't have to deal with traffic or actually sit there and drive. Guess the grass is always greener :)

LOVE YOUR VIDEOS SIMON AND MARTINA!!!

Thank you so much for making this video. It really spoke to me as I just moved back to my home country after living in the states for many years. People expect you to just blend in immediately here because this's where you were born and grew up. But making adjustment tends to be a very personal and sometimes long process. Thanks for the insightful video as always :))

Agree with everything you've said! I've lived in Korea and Japan, soon to move to Canada for half a year. Every time it was a finite stay though, never longer than 9 months at once, so it's still quite different from "Ok I live here now (possibly forever)". Still, living abroad has changed my perspective quiiiite a lot.

I'm a Mexican living in the US for almost three years already, although I'm not that far from home I still miss my family, food and culture. You definitely learn to value what you had back home more. Still, I think it's one of the best decisions I've taken in my life, it's made me so much more independent and I've been able to meet people from all over the world. Now I'm excited to move somewhere else and experience another culture.

My dream is to live abroad and meet people from different countries. I want to make a difference to the entire world by starting off small.Someday, and hopefully soon! I'm glad you guys took the time to explain how your lives were changed.

Going to study abroad soon! This video actually helped me a lot!

it change a lot before everything is easy on my grip since i stay and live here i egypt everything change. i learned to live in simple life and be contented and appriciate what i have and maximize it. i learned to be very simple and frugal.

We live inJapan with nissan and it was a huge culture shock. My husband hates rice and Chinese /Japanese food . So he was panicking at first, but once he found the usual fast food outlets and that they don't live on rice he was happy. Luckily the company sorted everything out for us and we are now settled in Nagasaki . I have had our 3rd child here and I can't believe how much better the healthcare system is. We use to live in the uk . Houses are smaller, but the quality of life is better for us. I have just returned to work and our son goes in the works crèche while we work. You couldn't do that in the uk. I even named my son light after light from death note. And everyone we speak to thinks it is cool. Learning the language has been hard but work has been helping us. And when we returned to the uk at Easter, I stocked up on essentials like you as I have a big booty lol! But no we love it here. I don't think we will ever go home now

The struggle is real.. but so worth it!

I would of loved living abroad 10-15 years ago, but now, with kids ;-) it's not so easy ! But having good channels like yours, it give's me an idea of how it is in other country's, and my love for asian culture....ahhhh love you guys :-) thx and good job !

I haven't live in another country yet, but I have friends who have, and the thing that they missed the most were tortillas, authentic mexican torillas, now I don't take them for granted, I enjoy every taco, every quesadilla I eat, because I'll live in France for a year next year.

ha! I love you two! I'm Guatemalan and thanks for the shout out! LOL

I've lived abroad twice now, both time in China and both times in different cities... it's been a very welcoming experience. First time, in my youthful self, I was the explorer of cultures, tried to slurp in everything, literally went through the ultimate frustrations to the most mindblowing thoughts. Now, the second time... it's been a completely different experience. I was more prepared, like you guys, I even packed some things I knew I would miss (uch as a huge cheese and cheeseslicer), and I was well aware of the chaos known as China. I am so happy to have experienced both of these journeys, first journey was half a year and this one for a year. I truly recommend anyone to try living in a different culture, it is a mindblowing and unforgetable experience.

Thanks for the Video and Happy Canada day by the way! :)

Great job!! This is a great video. I have been living in Japan for almost 11 years. I can totally to many of the topics that you spoke in your video. I found a real appreciation for what my parents went through. They came to America in the 1960's. I am first generation American.

Hello guys! Loved your video. I am currently an exchange student in Japan (came last September, leave in 2 months), and have lived in Ireland before for 13 months, so I kinda now a bit what you mean by various things (same here, Martina, as we speak about clothes and shoes lol. Was no problem in Ireland, is a big one in Japan :D). Living abroad and especially living in another culture and with people from a lot of different places has really changed a lot about how I perceive everything around me. One feeling that has accompanied me for the past three years, as I have lived in three different countries during that time (Ireland, Germany - my home country -, Japan), is the feeling of nothing is permanent. Places change, things change, people change. It is like constantly driving on the motor way - to a place you don't really know, sometimes stopping to rest at some places, but not really being able to completely unpack. I know that this probably is a bit different for you as you truly live in Korea now, but I think you can definitely feel that too, right? Having people who only stay a year becoming close friends and then seeing them leave and stuff like that, right? It is not easy, and it certainly is not something that I will ever forget; so I started to try to treasure things and moments differently, because you never know if you will be with that person again any time soon. Or if you get to eat your favourite food again any time soon lol. :D

Omg. I'm so early! I didn't even plan this!! This is cool, and I feel proud!