When you move abroad, you quickly realize life isn’t always as glamorous as it looks on Instagram. Behind the pretty pictures of city streets and new adventures, there are everyday struggles that can feel frustrating at first. My first few weeks in Paris were filled with challenges I never imagined would be so difficult. Figuring out the transport system, trying to open a bank account, handling endless paperwork, and even doing something as simple as grocery shopping in French felt overwhelming. At the time, I saw them only as inconveniences, but now I realize they were valuable lessons in disguise.
Each struggle taught me something new. Learning how to move around the city made me more patient and better at planning. Dealing with official documents forced me to pay attention to details I used to overlook. Even the small moments, like trying to explain myself at the bank or supermarket, pushed me to become a better communicator and a quicker problem-solver. These weren’t skills I picked up in a classroom they were lessons life handed me one day at a time.
Looking back, I can honestly say those little struggles helped shape me. They gave me confidence and reminded me that I am capable of handling more than I thought. Life abroad will never be free of challenges, but those challenges are what prepare you for independence, resilience, and the courage to face whatever comes next.
✨ Writes from Victoria
I total understand you my love! as me still figuring out and learning every day …..am grad you overcame or struggles and managed all the challenges but life never stop to teach us so we should never stop leaving.