Reader Stories: How Erin is readjusting to life back home

Reader Stories: How Erin is readjusting to life back home -

to life readjustment back can be a challenge to go home. I remember my first time to come home: I had big culture shock. I remember feeling just as great to the supermarkets. And the stores. And the meal portions. (We have such great meals here in the states!) Plus refer most of my friends could not on my sense of unease. It was a challenge, from always moving the opposite is suddenly do. (Sure, I've done my solution was not. Keep traveling!)

But there is a feeling that happens many travelers. When I talk to Dani and Craig The Wide Wide World in DC after its journey around the world, we took solace in each other because we were the only ones who, like everyone else was feeling could relate off-road.

In previous reader stories, we learned a lot about the people left speaking, but today we have to talk about life, go home and come again firmly.

Nomadic Matt :. Tell everyone about yourself
Erin: I'm 45 and I grew up across the Pacific: California, Washington, Hawaii, and New Zealand. I am a former bank executive who decided I would prefer to spend my time to travel with non-profit organizations and the world. I switched from banks, an entry-level job at a nonprofit organization. I gradually built a specialty in philanthropic financial products, and about six years ago, I started a consulting firm. As a consultant, I have my contract, so I could take three months out of every year to travel overseas and volunteers. wanted After several years of this arrangement, I decided a long two-year take time out, the world volunteering to travel. At the time, I saved to buy a house, so I had put away a tidy sum. I typed these savings to finance my trip.

Where did you go on your trip?
During my two years I have visited all seven continents and 62 countries. I started in Fiji on New Year's Eve and ended in Antarctica, my way worked through Patagonia, as I returned home in the States. Although I had 3-4 highlights I wanted to (visit Hiking in Himalaya, Angkor Wat, explore India) come to, I had no fixed itinerary. I deliberately wanted the flexibility to wander the world as I found and learned from great places to meet new people. As a result, I did not travel in a straight line or even one region at a time hopscotched in, but around the world. During my travel trajectory was liquid, I had three clear objectives for my trip: to give me the time to read and to write and volunteers. [You can read about Erin’s trip and volunteering on her website.]

Now that we are all probably wondering was how your trip?
I on my journey quite a few scary moments had, mainly because I prefer to travel overland and local transportation when taking always possible. There are certainly some memories - a bus accident in Ethiopia, jumping out of a moving car in Zambia, the political unrest in the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa - the still gives me pause. I also had some daring adventure whitewater rafting, which I could have done without.

Have you have a plan when you return?
I have a plan: I have tried to orchestrate a move to London in October. Unfortunately, these plans fell through. Instead temporary consulting assignments take before moving across the pond, now I need to think a more permanent life. I have another two months ago and still am considering what city I should live, what kind of work I want to do, and how I want to rebuild my life. Even simple things like to rent an apartment and a car and buying furniture are on hold. At the moment am I splitting. My time between San Francisco, New York City, and my family in Florida I sublet furnished apartments for several weeks at a time, and to rent a car if I need it. And I still live from a suitcase. So I guess my nomadic life has just not stopped because I got home.

Have you been adjusted already in life, to be away for so long after?
I'm kind of blown away by the efficiency of modern American life. I am also surprised that sometimes I walk down the street and there are no other people around. It's uncanny how to be on an abandoned movie set. And I am speechless by the premium in our supermarkets - passages and alleys of food. Of course I've noticed these differences, when I come back from previous trips, but now I can not imagine how a visitor might look at the sheer enormity of American life.

For me this opulence of the translated physical psychological on. I am very proud of what we have here in America, with the decisions we have, and our rights as individuals. While we never think they are enough, I have experienced in other parts of the world where they have nothing at all of these freedoms. It makes me very grateful to be Americans.

What was to come the most difficult part home?
I think the mental transition is the hardest part of the return. As I mentioned, I still live life as a nomad without great desire to put down roots. Last week I was in a shop in line when I suddenly stepped out of line and the element put I would buy. The reason? It would not fit in my suitcase.

I am also a little with to fight again to be at home. I have found that my life is a blank canvas again, and I have the opportunity to create the life I want. I think this is a great opportunity, but the possibilities are virtually endless, so I want to take time and make thoughtful decisions.

My friends and family that support them are simple are happy to have me back home. You have welcomed me into their homes, and I immediately restore our friendships able. I have been very lucky to have such a strong support network, while traveling and on my return.

I find myself sitting quietly much, just think. For me this is the way, by the transition: me the time and space, so that they all begin processing I have ever experienced. I am from this reflection confident a new way will emerge following me.

Have you found the employer on your trip looked like a negative or did help with job security?
My travels have not adversely affected my career in any way. When I revive my consulting business, has improved my international experience and my perspective I can offer customers. And my blog, www.GoErinGo.com that chronicled my adventures in real time, focuses on social issues, travel, volunteer work, and focus participatory philanthropy. These are all areas that are an extension of my philanthropic advisory work.

My Trips have also led additional options. I am now regularly speak at schools, businesses and public organizations about my trip and volunteering abroad. And of course, I write my book, adventure philanthropist , about my experiences.

What advice would you have for people to get home after a long trip?
I would advise you to slowly re-enter, the time to give yourself to acclimatise familiar environment. You're not the same person as when you jump on your trip to the left, so do not expect back in your old life. You have grown in your thinking, so enter the time to explore yourself - just like on the road did

readjustment simply takes time .. you have to get used to what his formerly so familiar. My only advice is to continue to the people you met on the road, especially those who already speak at home. You know what you are going through. You can relate and by talking to them about how you feel, it makes the transition less difficult.

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If the next success story

One of my favorite parts about this job is to do people who travel stories. You inspire me, but more importantly, they also inspire you. I travel in a certain way, but there are many ways to fund your travels, and traveling the world. I hope these stories that show that your trip to reach more than one way to travel, and that it is within your reach goals. Here is another example of someone who set life after his great international adventure new:

• How Dan readjusted to life back home

We all come from different places come, but we all have one thing in common: want to travel, we all more

Make today the day to take a step closer to travel - whether it is buying a guide to create a hostel booking an itinerary, or go all , Fashion and a ticket to buy.

Remember, tomorrow may never come, so do not wait.

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