Finding Home on the Road: When Home Is Everywhere and Nowhere
Teaching in Shenzhen, China- 2018
With an obsession for travel, I knew I needed a career that would support my need to explore—and I found it through international teaching.
As an international educator, I’m privileged to be part of learning communities that foster supportive, collaborative, and innovative environments.
There are perks, of course:
Three months of paid holiday leave allows ample time to explore the world.
Two-year contracts offer flexibility to immerse myself in new cultures without long-term commitments.
This lifestyle grants me more than the experiences of a typical tourist passing through a country. It’s about engaging deeply with each place—its people, traditions, and rhythms.
Leaving Our Island Home for a New Chapter
Car packed and ready to depart the BVI. July, 2024
Eight months ago, my husband Mat and I made the bittersweet decision to leave our cherished home in the British Virgin Islands. Island life had gifted us the chance to slow down and connect deeply—not only with the awe-inspiring beauty of nature, but also with a small, tight-knit community. We formed some of the best friendships we’ve ever had, surrounded by simplicity and a slower pace of life. Yet, despite all the joy and peace it brought us, we hoped to find a place with better potential for long-term savings.
I do enjoy the idea of retiring one day…
My sister, Tara, and I living the winter life in Switzerland, 2017
What Makes a Place Feel Like Home?
As we navigate the intense international hiring season, Mat and I find ourselves reflecting on big questions:
What makes a place liveable?
What’s required for true happiness and contentment?
Where and how do we create a new sense of belonging?
Of course, the answers to these questions are as varied as the people who ask them, but they’re worth exploring.
No place is perfect, and that’s where flexibility becomes key.
Still, some aspects of a place and life feel non-negotiable. For example:
I loathe winter.
I struggle with the chaos of city life.
But this begs the question: Should I cling so tightly to these preferences? Or is there value in challenging my assumptions? After all, some of the most profound growth happens outside our comfort zones, in the midst of challenges.
Mat and I enjoying a magical moment on our friends stunning balcony in the BVI- 2024
Peace Comes From Within
I suppose it would be best for me to listen to Buddha who said, “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”
According to this mindset, Mat and I could create a new sense of happiness and home anywhere. A house, a city, or even a country does not create peace, happiness, or a feeling of home—it’s something we cultivate ourselves.
The Romanian philosopher Mircea Eliade reinforces this idea:
“Mental and emotional stability don’t require us to stay in one place—but they do require a sturdy foundation within ourselves.”
Easier said than done, I know. So, I suppose I’ll keep working on that…
Final Thoughts: Creating Home While Living Abroad
The experience of living abroad teaches us that “home” is more than just a physical place—it’s a feeling we carry with us. It’s the people, the memories, and the inner peace we create wherever we go.
So, as Mat and I search for our next home, I remind myself:
It’s okay to embrace discomfort. Growth happens outside of the familiar.
Home is not something we find—it’s something we build, piece by piece, together.
Whether it’s a new country, a shared meal, or a quiet corner to rest, home is wherever we allow ourselves to truly belong.
Chasing rainbows and island dreams in the BVI 🌈 2023
Take a Moment To Reflect:
What are your non-negotiables for happiness and contentment? Are these rooted in personal values, or are they shaped by external influences?
What assumptions about what you “need” could you challenge to create a greater sense of freedom or growth in your life?
Challenge:
For one week, take time each day to notice moments that make you feel “at home” wherever you are—whether it’s the comfort of a routine, a meaningful connection with someone, or a moment of stillness. Write these moments down, and at the end of the week, reflect on what truly makes you feel grounded and how you can cultivate more of that in your life, no matter where you are.
