After growing up in many countries around the world, Michiel De Wolf made his way to Medellin, Colombia for an international marketing internship. He is now completing his studies in France after which he hopes to be prepared for a successful international career.
The decision to leave a “traditional” life behind and pursue the benefits of being a global nomad can be challenging. It's certainly not the easiest way to live. However, it’s incredibly rewarding to live life on your own terms all over the world. Here are 7 real benefits of being a global citizen.
1. Never pay for a hotel again
As a nomad living the global lifestyle, you will be surrounded by other people. You will share adventures, emotions and friendships with people from around the world. When you visit these friends in their country, you instantly have a place to stay. As they say, “Mi casa es tu casa.” Keep growing your network whilst making meaningful personal and professional connections, and you’ll never pay for a hotel again.
2. Meet interesting people
It is a simple fact that people who travel more, experience more. In the community of globalized citizens, you will soon realize you’re surrounded by people with incredible lives and rich stories they can't wait to share with you. They will inspire and encourage you to live life to the fullest and you’ll be soon living a life that is equally as interesting and fulfilling.
3. Learn more
One of the greatest benefits of a global lifestyle is learning from other people. Their stories and tips will educate you more than any textbook because they come from practical experience that you can do too. However, your eyes will turn out to be your best teacher. Observing cultural customs, traditions and habits will give you a whole new perspective on the countries you visit you can use on a personal, academic and professional level.
4. You realize that less is more
What is the point of having a bunch of stuff if you have to carry it around in a suitcase all the time? Having lots of personal belongings with you as you travel will become a burden more than a help. As you explore various destinations around the world, it will become clear that experiences are undoubtedly more valuable than materialistic things and your suitcase will become a lot lighter too! Quality over quantity will become one of your rules to live by for a richer, more fulfilling experience and lifestyle.
5. Feel alive every day
Every day is an adventure when you live abroad. You’ll often go to bed thinking “that was crazy” while enjoying the first opportunity to actually reflect on the day. You won’t be counting down hours or minutes when living the global citizen lifestyle… except of course when you’re on a plane and getting ready to land in your new home for the next week few weeks or months!
6. Encounter more professional opportunities
When you move around often as a global citizen, you’ll meet more people that you wouldn't have otherwise. Some of them will own businesses and others will have professional connections, leaving you in a great position when you're networking for your internship. Your experiences, stories, and gained knowledge abroad will often be sufficient to win you the job as you'll have more experience than other applicants. You will have the opportunities to work in companies and places you’d never imagine. It’s all part of the adventure.
7. You can hack life
Say goodbye to a traditional life. As daring as it seems at first, you’ll realize that everyone could actually live this global citizen lifestyle and be aware of and understand the wider world in a deeper and more empathetic way. After taking the first and hardest step you’ll never look back, and often feel like you’re cheating on life. Because yes, it really is possible to live life on your own terms wherever you want in the world. You just need the courage to jump into the unknown.
