Let me tell you, living overseas can be rough. There are lots of misunderstandings and sometimes a lack of creature comforts. It’s easy to delve into the negative aspects of living in a foreign country but there is so much that brings joy. Here are a few things I love about being in the Czech Republic or just the expat life in general.

1.      A deeply connected community – Expats quickly find one another when abroad. Like magnets, we are drawn together. Since we are not in our passport countries, it is necessary to be around people who can share life with you. A make-shift family if you will. Some of these relationships are only for a season due to the transient nature of this expat life. But some are your forever tribe and more precious than gold.

 I am blessed to have a group of friends that started living in the Czech Republic at about the same time. They are my people.  We celebrate birthdays, weddings, or new babies together. We support each other through illnesses. We mourn losses. We can be our messy, unapologetic selves and we know we won’t be alone. The fact that we are far from our communities brought about vulnerability much quicker than it would normally. And that bonds you to each other in a way I can’t begin to explain.

2.      Ease of travel (usually) – Prague is literally in the heart of Europe. I travel throughout Europe for my job, and I can get to almost anywhere in just a few hours by plane or train. I have been to 21 countries while living in the Czech Republic, most of them for work. I do miss the days when I could hop on a plane and be in another country in a matter of hours. It is not uncommon for me to carry several currencies at once. I’m so blessed to have a job that allows me to see so many new places, even if travel is on a bit of a hiatus right now.

3.      Learning about other cultures and traditions (Easter markets, anyone) –Discovering local traditions is a great way to learn about a country. They can help us understand the history of a certain culture or people. Whether it is an Easter pomlaska (a whip made of willow branches) or hiding a carp scale under your plate at Christmas (this is believed to bring prosperity), it is interesting to learn about. I am personally not a fan of the pomlaska practice of (gently) whipping girls on Easter Monday to ensure health and beauty. There is a whole slew of different traditions I had to learn about when I moved here. Most of them revolve around the season of spring or Christmas. I think my favorite is the Easter markets which herald the new season.

4.      Food – Czech cuisine is down-home comfort food at its best. Give me some svičkova and knedliky (roast beef drowning in sauce with bread dumplings) on a cold day to warm me up. Huge slabs of fried cheese or pork schnitzel washed down with a chilled beer can make anyone forget their troubles. End it all with some traditional honey cake and coffee and you have one heavy but glorious meal. Czech food is basic but filling.

5.      Holiday celebrations – Being away from your family can be difficult around the holidays. Expats know this and want to include everyone they can in the festivities. It is not unusual for me to celebrate American Thanksgiving 3 or 4 times each November with different people. It is also a perfect time to invite locals over to share your traditions with them.

6.      A different take on friendship – It can be hard to make friends here. To be fair, it is not because Czechs are unfriendly. Quite the contrary. I think that under Communism, it was hard to know who to trust and this has had an effect on how relationships form. Friendship is built slowly here, marinating over time. The word friend has a precise meaning and only those who have earned the title are called by it. I’ve learned to use this descriptor sparingly, calling people my neighbor, a colleague, or an acquaintance from church. I’ve become more precise in describing those around me, using friend only for those dearest to me to avoid confusion. Just know that once a Czech considers you a friend, they are loyal to the end. It is a deep relationship and not one to take lightly.

7.      Gardens – Green space is all around us, even in the heart of the city. There are small parks and gardens everywhere you turn. A beautiful example is one right behind my building which is an oasis in the city. Tourists don’t know about it, so it is a secret gem. When I lived in Cheb, my favorite spot was the monastery garden which is centuries old and such a place of calm and peace. I would go after school when the weather was nice just to sit and read.

Living overseas is such a privilege and a blessing. My life is the richer for it even if it creates hardships. They are worth it. These are just a few of things that make it so. Tell me in the comments what you love about where you live.

Below are links to other blogs by some fellow hope*writers about the number seven. Please support them as well by clicking on their links to their blog posts.

7 Things to Remember When You Are Feeling Overwhelmed

https://lindseygibson.com/7-things-to-remember-when-you-are-feeling-overwhelmed/

Seven Easy to Follow Tips for Reading the Bible

www.sharlahallett.com/seven-easy-to-follow-tips-for-reading-the-bible/

7 Steps to Find Life Purpose

https://www.ashleyolivine.com/7-steps-find-life-purpose/

7 Ways to Relieve Stress in Children

https://louvaria.com/7-ways-stress-in-children

7 Tips to Sleep Like a Rock

https://www.epigenwellness.com/7-tips-sleep-like-a-rock

7 Ways to Connect with Your Teen (Part 1: Prayer)

https://kellycallenheath.com/7-ways-to-connect-with-your-teen-part-1-pray/

Photos all taken by me

Top Row: Birthday celebration, Easter Market, Christmas Market, Crystal Palace - Marid, Spain

Middle Row: Sacre Coeur - Paris, London Sunset, Thanksgiving, Favorite Garden-Cheb, CZ

Bottom Row: Garden by my house, Cesky Krumlov view, Cesky Krumlov Castle, Prague Garden