She Got a Taste of life Abroad during College and never looked back
Meet Jori
Also known as @thetejanaabroad on Instagram and TikTok, solo female traveler and fellow Texan-turned-European, Jori, decided that after studying abroad in Europe, she didn’t want to go back home.
After studying in Spain and France, home didn’t really feel like home anymore.
Keep reading to hear more about what influenced her decision to pursue a life abroad.
“You become more open-minded to people’s opinions once you realize that the way you’ve grown up doesn’t have to be the only way.”
Tell us More about yourself
I love coffee, animals, and dying my hair. I grew up in a small town in East Texas, but after studying abroad twice during college, I really wanted to expand my horizons. I’ve lived in 3 different European countries, visited 54 countries worldwide on my solo travels, and helped others do the same with my blog.
Where are you currently living?
Over the last 4 years in Europe, I’ve lived in Italy, Spain, and France. I currently live in Paris and love finding all the viewpoints where I can photograph the Eiffel Tower.
What inspired you to pursue expat life?
I studied abroad twice in college, once in Spain and once in France. I spent about a total of eight months in Europe so when I came back for my senior year of college in the US, I had a really bad case of reverse culture shock. I didn’t feel completely at home in the US anymore, and I felt that there was so much more out there than the tiny town where I grew up.
I decided I wanted to live abroad but without professional experience, I knew obtaining a visa would be impossible. I then decided to pursue my masters in Europe, so that I could have the chance to live in Western Europe and experience different cultures, as well as make the connections to get a visa after school.
“I didn’t feel completely at home in the US anymore, and I Knew there was so much more out there than the tiny town where I grew up.”
How has expat life changed you for the better?
I’ve learned so much about different cultures, as well as my own! You become more open-minded to people’s opinions once you realize that the way you’ve grown up doesn’t have to be the only way. I feel that I have had such a unique experience that will stick with me even if I decide to return home.
What’s more, employers are impressed and attracted to my multicultural background and I think it’s definitely given me a leg up.
What’s the hardest part about being an expat?
Life with your friends moves on and you don’t even realize it. I’ve missed birthdays, weddings—huge life events. It’s just a fact that you have to face if you live abroad. Your friends will have their own group at home that doesn’t always include you. Sometimes it’s difficult for people to accept your situation so it’s important to find those friends that will stick by you no matter the distance and no matter how little you see each other face to face.
I was supposed to be a bridesmaid in my friend’s wedding. I was so excited and this was a wedding we had been waiting years for. I went to the bachelorette party, bought my dress, and we were all excited for the big day. Covid hit, the wedding had to be postponed, and of course, with the new timing, I was now unable to make it to my friend’s big day.
I told her I couldn’t make it and I tried everything to be as supportive until I had to leave. On her wedding day, I had someone deliver a gift with a note from me, wishing that I could be there. It was still gut-wrenching watching from afar, seeing all the photos and wanting so badly to be there for her. This was the first big wedding with my friends from home and I had to miss it. That’s probably been the hardest thing for me.
How did you choose your current location?
I studied abroad in Paris and in a small town in Spain and loved it. When looking for master’s programs I couldn’t decide between going back to Spain or to France and was looking at a variety of schools. I eventually found one school that offered both! It’s a French university that has campuses all over Europe and you change which campus you want to study at each semester.
I was super happy once I got in and now had to choose which campuses to study at! I knew I would spend my 2nd semester in Madrid and my entire second year in Paris (visa reasons), so I could choose between London, Berlin, or Turin, Italy. Berlin was too cold and gray, and with the language and culture in London, I didn’t see much point in going somewhere so similar to home.
I finally decided on Italy! In Italy, I lived with a host family and made many Italian friends who I’m still friends with to this day!
What are some interesting things you’ve learned during your time Living Abroad?
Europeans have a lot of similarities but also A LOT of differences. There are rivalries and small nuisances that vary from country to country. Did you know that Austrians and Italians always take their shoes off when entering a house whereas the French do not?
Each country’s administration is vastly different, and they all compete over who has the worst. Visa processes and apartment hunting can be such a hassle as a foreigner. In France, there are many bureaucratic procedures. For example, I lost my wallet a few weeks ago and had to order new credit cards. My American card arrived in 3 days all the way from the US. My French one took an entire month.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced while living Abroad?
The language barrier has to be the biggest one. Not knowing anyone was probably the most difficult at the start, but the language barrier is something I deal with on a daily basis even now. Even if you learn the language of the country where you live, you may still have friends from other cultures and languages.
Sometimes when I’m with my closest friends and they start speaking another language, I start to get really homesick and think about how much easier my life would be in my home country. There’s just nothing quite like home. The challenge of living abroad is half the fun though!
What has been the most rewarding thing about living abroad?
The ability to travel to another country for a weekend is definitely a huge plus. Sharing your culture with others and learning from experiences with others is also amazing.
Really it’s just going about your day and realizing that you live in an amazing city that most people only dream about, that you had the guts to leave your comfort zone and start a new life on the other side of the world, and that the people you spend your time with have grown up so differently than you, both culturally and linguistically, and somehow you have such a strong connection and close friendship.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known before moving Abroad?
It WILL be difficult. There will be times when you want to give up. Find your community and know that it’s okay to be homesick!
Also, be aware that the person who left in the first place will not be the same person returning.
Is there anything else people should know who are thinking of moving Abroad?
VISA. VISA. VISA. This is the MOST important. If you’re planning to stay awhile, how will you do it? Is your company sponsoring you? Are you going for a year to teach English but want to stay longer? Each country has its different rules and some are easier for foreigners to stay in than others.
For example, if I would have studied for 3 years in Spain, I could work there now! I didn’t know that at the time though, so now it is very difficult for me to get a job in Spain.
What is the coolest or craziest thing you’ve seen or that has happened to you since moving Abroad?
Paris during a metro strike… Utter mayhem.
Tell us some of your favorite things
Dishes
Spain/Italy/France
Croquetas de Jamón/Authentic Carbonara/Beef Bourguignon
Bucket List
Montenegro
Cheap, amazing beaches, mountains, and nice people!
Neighborhood
Le Marais
This hipster/Jewish neighborhood has everything you need.
Interested in Moving to Portugal?
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