I have been thinking about doing this for a long time now, writing a blog.
The idea came to me when I was searching, really searching, for useful information to help me settle into my new home.
I wasn't finding it easy.
In fact sometimes I still don't find it easy. The whole thing around not quite being or feeling at home.
"Home" for me is now Kristiansand but is it home?
Home can be described as so many different things. The physical walls you live within, the place you were born or grew up in, being with your family or the geographical location in which you are currently residing.
When you are an expat thinking about your home and where you are from is an emotional experience. This is because often you are very far away from your own personal version of "home", possibly one or more of the descriptions I have mentioned above.
When you say you "miss home" it can mean so many different things and it can be difficult to convey all of this to someone who is not an expat.
One of the most interesting experiences I have had since moving here is that the people I was immediately drawn towards were other expats or Norwegians who have been expats as well. I can only conclude that our instant and easy connection was down to the fact we have all "missed home" in whatever way.
