Having visited 40 countries and lived in four, I’ve gathered insights that have reshaped my understanding of the world and offered a unique perspective on life, culture, and human nature. Here are some of the most profound lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Language is the Window to the Mind
While the eyes are the windows to the soul, I believe that language is the window to the mind. Assuming you know ten bilingual people, and you ask them to read an article in either language that they are familiar with, which language do you think they will pick? Chances are, ten out of ten will choose to read the article in the language they know best.
Being a quadrilingual person, I can truly reflect upon this trait. We almost always prefer to consume content within our comfort zone, and this behavior underpins how we absorb knowledge and information. If you’re a native Japanese speaker, you’d probably watch Japanese videos on YouTube or read Japanese online news in hiragana, katakana, and kanji. The same goes for most in their respective languages.
This goes to show that if we want to disseminate information to others, we need to do it very much locally. It wouldn’t work well if you choose to reach out to them in their secondary language, such as English.
Don’t Expect Some Countries to Know the Roman Alphabet
English-literate people like us often take for granted that everyone in the world can read ABC. One of the most eye-opening experiences was realizing that this is not true. Despite having visited South Korea many times, I was still caught off guard when I showed my hotel’s address to a taxi driver, only to realize he couldn’t read it. In places like China, Japan, and Russia, signs, menus, and official documents are often written in their local “alphabets”. So, it goes with a saying that the locals may not know how to read the Roman alphabet.
We need to learn to take the trouble to convert our text to their text. This is when a translation app becomes super handy. However….
Google Translate Doesn’t Always Work
Although I often use Google Translate while living abroad, I can’t seem to avoid some common issues with the app. Most don’t know how to use it when I hand my phone to them to speak, and for those who do, they can’t seem to be able to sync their voices with the app. Furthermore, translation accuracy is rather dodgy for some languages, and some are outright rude.
It’s best to gear yourself up with alternative translation tools to complement what is lacking on Google Translate. That is one of the reasons I decided to build BiiB, the multilingual messaging app.
We Dream the Same Dream, We Want the Same Thing
Despite the diversity in cultures and lifestyles, I’ve found that people around the world share the same fundamental aspirations. Whether it’s the desire for happiness, security, love, or success, these universal dreams make me feel that we are all the same. This realization has been both humbling and inspiring. The song “(We Want) The Same Thing” by Belinda Carlisle echoes in my ears as I type this.
In every country I’ve visited, I’ve met individuals wanting the same things for themselves and their families. Some may try harder to attain more, while some are happy with what they have. Nevertheless, recognizing our shared commonality can bridge divides and build a sense of unity.
Cost of Living is Measured by the Cost of Your Lifestyle
You may have done your research on comparing the cost of living between cities on Numbeo or LivingCost.org. I can vouch that most of them are generally accurate, but with a caveat. The sites only measure a very general consumption. This means even though the cost of living in Paris is higher than Seoul, you could get by pretty well if you live within certain means. For instance, it’s obvious that eating out in Paris is way more expensive than in Seoul, but it also depends on where you dine. The same is true for rents, which the directly proportional to the location within the city. High-class areas, such as the 6th arrondissement in Paris and Gangnam district in Seoul, absolutely mean higher rent.
What I also learned is that you can always get some sort of bargains in high-cost cities if you take the effort to search. I know I spent under $4,000 per month in total while living alone in a 2-bed, 2-bathroom apartment on the west side of Los Angeles (pre-pandemic). But I also know that I could spend less if I moved somewhere inland.
Conclusion
In conclusion, traveling to 40 countries and living in four has been a mind-and eye-opening journey. My ex-boss likes teasing me by saying I love to broaden my horizons. Indeed, I do! It has taught me the importance of adaptability, empathy, and open-mindedness. These discoveries have not only enriched my personal life but also deepened my appreciation for the diverse and connected world we live in.