How I did it: Actually I've lived in different places. I lived in Israel for a year when I was 14-years-old. I learned their customs, I experienced the people & the atmosphere. It was amazing. Coming back to my country as a different person gave me wings. I learned the language & the letters, it expanded my inner self.
Then I moved to the States in 2002. Another turnaround in my life. Getting accustomed to a very different way of life, people's mentality, values, relations. Everything. It was a tense transition but me going to school & having new friends helped me to blend in & after 6.5 years acquire a sense of great belonging. I developed my language again to the extent that I forget that English isn't really my native language.
The most recent experience was me living in Russia for 6 months. I thought I was gonna stay longer but I just couldn't. It wasn't for me. But, I did experience how life there worked, all the details of everyday existence, people, customs. It was great & it wasn't. I learned tremendously. I missed the States & came back. Now, guess what, I got a job in a different state & in a week I'm moving again!!! Yes, it's the same country but still, you know how states differ here in U.S.! So I'm excited because after all my experiences I realized that living in different places makes us more open-minded, more confident, and definitely more interesting.    

Lessons & tips: It's scary. New things are always scary, especially if it involves moving elsewhere for a while without knowing much. But believe me, it's worth it. Even if you move & you have the most horrible time of your life, never regret it because this is EXPERIENCE! Any experience is worth it because it gives you something you didn't have before. If you stay open-minded, you'll learn positives in every situation & you'll be thankful for them. Also, after the scary first steps you'll realize that you've become more confident. The more you do it, the more you know that the sky doesn't fall, life goes on, it's actually fun & interesting. You learn about yourself a lot - what you like, what you dislike, what you want & what you don't. It brings you closer to life that you really wanna have. Me living in Russia & having quite uncomfortable experience that I don't wanna have ever again taught me what I didn't want & what I had. It made me appreciate things I left behind.
Swallow the "afraid" pill & take action. With an open mind & anticipation of good, not bad!    

Resources: Positive outlook & expectations. "Just do it" attitude. Appreciation of the fact that I had a chance to do it whereas there are many who don't at all. It's a blessing.

Mar 18, 2009, 08:56AM PDT | 0 comments | 2 cheers