An Adventurer: Guest Post

I am obsessed with Amsterdam so naturally love looking at Rachael's beautiful photos of Amsterdam and her other travels!
Ps. she just got engaged to her Dutch boyfriend!
...

Hi there! I'm Rachael and I'm excited to be guest posting for Nicole while she moves overseas to start her unforgettable adventure in Madrid. Like Nicole, I'm also a native of Southern California, love to travel and chose to move abroad to get my Master's degree--in Amsterdam, Holland! Now, 4 years later, I still call Amsterdam my home and am living the expat life in Europe. 

My road to becoming an expat was long and took plenty of Eurotrips but keeping sight of my goal made all the difference--I wanted so badly to move overseas! Here's how I became an expat...

1. Summer 2005 - spent two life-changing months traveling around Europe. Before I left, I couldn't see myself leaving California but when I got back, I couldn't wait to plan another trip! It was this trip that convinced me that I needed to atleast try to live abroad one day--that travel bug was itchin'!

Places visited: London, Belgium, Paris, Germany, Switzerland, Nice, Rome and Amsterdam

{Vatican City, beer in Munich and Amsterdam canals}

2. Summer 2006 - during my 2nd year of college, I waited tables after class to save up for yet another Eurotrip, I just couldn't get enough! I knew I had to visit again. This time, I flew out solo and soaked up every day of my 2 months summer in Europe part 2.

Places visited: Portugal, France, Ireland, Scotland and Amsterdam (yep, again!)

{Colorful Tavira, Portugal, Southern France and the Isle of Skye, Scotland}

3. Spring semester 2007 - After I returned from another summer in Europe, I couldn't get to the study abroad office fast enough. What was supposed to be a semester abroad in Australia turned into a semester in Finland instead--yes, some people call me crazy. I was craving an experience completely opposite than my native California and 6 unforgettable months in Finland was it!

Places visited: Finland, Sweden, Russia, Estonia, Portugal yet again and Amsterdam (three times!).

{Winter wonderful in Finland!}

4. Summer 2008 - My closest friends in Finland were Dutch students and when they heard how much I loved Amsterdam, they persuaded me to apply for Grad school in Holland. Fast forward a few months, I got accepted and got a FULL scholarship to the University of Amsterdam. The summer after I graduated, I packed my bags with a one-way ticket to Amsterdam :).

{Fancy welcome orientation at the University of Amsterdam}

5. Summer 2009 until now - I got my Master's degree, started a job at a global music company and am enjoying every minute of my expat life in Europe.

It's now been over 4 years since I left California and 7 years since the first time I visited Amsterdam. If you are eager to give expat life a shot, keep working towards your goal! I'm such a firm believer that the universe works in complementary ways and will meet you halfway. Lastly, just go for it. 

Choosing to live the expat life has been the most rewarding experience. I've had life, career and travel opportunities that I never could have imagined...and one of those Dutch students from Finland is now my fiance! 

Nicole, good luck settling into your new home in Madrid and you have one amazing year (or more!) ahead. 

Come on over to Let's Be Adventurers to say hi! 

Thanks for having me, Nicole, and bon voyage!

{Snippets from expat life in Amsterdam}