LIVING ABROAD
When It’s Painful to Admit the Dream Didn’t Work Out
They were full of hope, but after a year, their dream of living in France fell apart
I wrote recently about my solo move to France and advised anyone contemplating life abroad to first consider whether it’s something they really want to do. I should also have added that they consider why they’re making the move.
Because I knew without a doubt that I wanted to live in France and, at 68, to begin a new chapter in my life, I was able to overcome numerous obstacles and various difficulties and, after eleven years, can say it was one of my best decisions.
But despite this certainty, my son-in-law said to me before I left, “If it doesn’t work out, don’t be too proud to admit it.”
While I appreciated his advice, I’d never entertained the thought that it wouldn’t work out. I’m glad it did, but looking back, I realise I was also a bit naive. Even with the best planning and considerations, sometimes moving to a foreign country just doesn’t work out.
The CNN series Living the Dream profiles those who decided to live abroad. I haven’t followed the series, but a glance at some of the stories suggests that most of the participants were happy they’d made the…
