Next month it will be five years since I moved to Asia, and what an interesting experience it has been

Living abroad as an independent expatriate for a long time means giving up many things. For example, it's rare to have long-term friends from a similar cultural background, as many coworkers are transient. While you do make friends, they're often not long-lasting. And though many expats make local friends, cultural differences can limit the closeness of these friendships.

Choosing this teacher lifestyle usually doesn't lead to wealth or financial security. Expats also face limited career options unless they are fluent in the local language, as locals have an advantage in most jobs. Legal restrictions on foreigners further limit job opportunities. Most foreign English teachers in Thailand and throughout Asia teach English to live abroad, not the other way around.

However, the expat lifestyle has its rewards. Travel, personal growth, and cross-cultural experiences are significant benefits. The biggest gain is confidence, which comes from moving to a foreign country without a safety net and "making it." This requires more self-reliance and adaptability than staying at home or being a traditional expatriate supported by an organization. 

Finding a job and creating a life with little support in a foreign country can boost your ego and confidence to follow your dreams. Some expats abroad focus on limitations, while others use their confidence to pursue interesting lives and goals.

Truthfully, I haven't found much financial success from this lifestyle, but I'm enjoying the ride. My first job in Thailand was teaching English at 400 Baht an hour. My initial experience as an English teacher in Thailand gave me the confidence to pursue other opportunities. I used to rarely think about life outside my familiar world; now, I have plenty of good connections and see few limitations on what's possible.

While this lifestyle has required material sacrifices, I don't feel poor. I wouldn't trade my memories of travel to neighbouring Asian countries and all around Thailand, and so many other experiences, for a new car, a nice house, and lots of stuff I might have accumulated if I had stayed home. I've always wanted to travel, write, and have varied experiences, and I'm now able to do those things.

Knowing what I know now, I would make the same choices and follow this lifestyle again. It hasn't all been perfect, but it's been an interesting ride, and I can't wait to see what's next.