The other side of the Swedish postcard

When you move to another country, you will change.  It takes quite a while to adjust to living in a foreign country and there will probably be as many different opinions as there are expats because everyone's circumstances are unique and the individual reactions vary so.  It takes adapting to the different customs, food, the language, inside jokes and making new friends - assimilating to the culture.  You miss everything from back home, from the big things like family and the weather to the simple ritual of how it was drinking your morning cup of coffee, everything gets compared to how things were.  The challenge is to be open minded, remain respectful and be patient as you realise that not everything will be as you expected.  Have integrity and remain true to your values and morals but respect different opinions, the whole experience will build your character.  The foreign country will either remain foreign where you feel like a stranger or it eventually becomes your home.