International Friends

There has been (and continues to be) a spate of friends making the journey overseas. Whilst the majority are heading to the UK for some European lovin', there are others who have taken the Asia route, working from places like Singapore and Beijing.

Am I envious? Of course, I think that any overseas experience is something eye-opening, both in the people you meet and the cultures you encounter.
It's character building and shows you just what you are capable of, when faced with problems that you cannot rely on friends and family to assist with.
It helps bring out the more extroverted/social side of you, as you're forced to meet new people in the search for friendships that used to come so easily.
It shows you places and sights that you would never see in Australia, places so seeped in history that Sydney feels like it was born yesterday.

Within the next few years, that trip will be made. However, I would like to think that going over will help in some way to advance the career. I feel that I am past that age where I can go over and just stuff around. The hardest thing is going overseas blind, without the security of another job lined up. Maybe I am too risk-adverse!

To those that are leaving or are currently overseas, take care of yourselves. I hope that our friendships do not dim due to the distance. I am sure that you'll have a wonderful time. Find what you're looking for, and remember to save a spot for me on your couch when I come visit!

Damn! eight cheap calls already:

you're welcome any time kev...when we get a place and couch that is!!
mushiejc (link) - 22 May '05 - 23:57

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al - 26 May '05 - 00:38

Sorry Al, your cheap Mandarin call just doesn't cut it on this english website :)
JookBoy (link) - 26 May '05 - 05:54

dude, if it's any consolation I'm shit-scared about this Japan trip. That's despite my language skills, research into the country (hehehe), contacts (I know about 50 people over there already, mostly Japanese), savings, etc. In fact, I don't think anyone has ever been more prepared for an overseas adventure than I am right now! And yet I'm still scared (and excited of course) of the unknown.

Do it, dude. If you come to Japan you can crash at mine for as long as you want.

RC
randomcow - 08 June '05 - 11:19

having been there done that, one day it'll be nice to say i'm doing it again :)
alvina - 15 June '05 - 11:00

RC, I'm sure you're going to have an awesome time. Can I subscribe to your mailing list of activitiez? :)
Thanks for the offer for Japan, it's one of the many places to have to revisit.

Alvina, do it again!
JookBoy (link) - 15 June '05 - 15:35

well, I own the domain name randomcow.com so I'll probably be putting a blog or something on there. It will probably be slightly different style to a lot of the travel blogs out there though, though not too different to yours, where you have well-thought-out articles. Actaully, there will be well-thought-out essays, pictures, and stories of wacky adventures. Just have to make sure I find time to update it :)

RC
randomcow (email) - 24 June '05 - 09:22

Greetings from Vancouver! It's been 3.5 months since my departure and even though I miss home, the best thing about being overseas is knowing that so many of my friends aren't in Sydney anymore, so I'm not alone in this journey of self discovery.

Do look me up if you're ever in the area!
Wendy - 28 June '05 - 05:11