36 Comments

  1. lloyd
    August 16, 2017 @ 8:25 pm

    I know exactly what your going through! I am on my 5th expat adventure spending at least a year in each country and I will be the first to admit sometimes its not that easy to do, but as you have said its about the people you surround yourself with and the beauty you see makes it all worth while 🙂 thanks for a great read and i hope you have settled in now 🙂

    Reply

    • Madhurima Dutta
      August 17, 2017 @ 12:21 am

      WOW! that is amazing! 5th one is really incredible indeed. Yes, I have moved back to Singapore now but over time, I had settled down in HK too and in fact felt a bit sad when I had to leave!

      Reply

  2. lexie
    August 16, 2017 @ 9:11 pm

    I love your story, let’s face the fact the once we moved into another place a strange or new place it does makes us feel like we’re starting from the scratch but anyhow after sometime we learn about the place, the people, the culture and we start to intergate with them. I’m so proud of your efforts you deserve to be happy in this incredible city. good luck to your future ventures 🙂

    Reply

    • Madhurima Dutta
      August 17, 2017 @ 12:22 am

      Exactly! We always have to start from scratch and many people don’t understand that part about moving very often! Nevertheless, its always a great experience:) Glad you liked my article 🙂

      Reply

  3. WhodoIdo
    August 16, 2017 @ 10:15 pm

    I’m so glad you overcame the challenges you faced when you first moved to Hong Kong and I see you have made some great friends. The housing is terrible there, rooms are so small. I miss the food in HK, especially the yummy egg tarts!

    Reply

    • Madhurima Dutta
      August 17, 2017 @ 12:24 am

      Yes, totally agreed. The housing scene can’t get worse than Hong Kong tbh but the food, the scenery and the vivid culture makes up for it I guess 🙂

      Reply

  4. Shannon
    August 16, 2017 @ 10:46 pm

    Wow, it sounds like you’ve been on quite a journey there! SO brave of you to have stuck it out though, I know I certainly wouldn’t have coped! Sometimes a little bit of courage from family and friends is all you need to get through the hard times! It looks like such a beautiful country, well done you! xxxxx

    Reply

    • Madhurima Dutta
      August 17, 2017 @ 12:25 am

      Hi Shannon, thank you so much for the kind words. I am sure you would do great if you were given the chance and I hope you do get that chance someday 🙂 Family, friends and our inner strength will always guide us through such times 🙂

      Reply

  5. The Wildest Tales
    August 16, 2017 @ 11:11 pm

    I understand you so well! I moved from Poland to London and experience the same, minus the fact that China is a completely different culture. I’m about to move to Asia next year so keep your fingers crossed for me and I will follow your adventure, because it is the best adventure you ever gonna have!

    Reply

    • Madhurima Dutta
      August 17, 2017 @ 12:26 am

      Oh Wow, coincidentally, my father just moved back from Poland to India haha! Where would you be living in Asia? Asia is absolutely fascinating and I hope you have a great time!

      Reply

  6. Suvarna
    August 17, 2017 @ 12:47 am

    I can’t imagine how you felt on the first few nights. Well until you finally settled in and found some joy there. But it ended in a good way! Which is always a good thing. Sometimes life tests just how much we can endure to get where we want to be

    Reply

    • Madhurima Dutta
      August 17, 2017 @ 4:03 pm

      Thanks Suvarna. Yes, indeed. It’s almost always worth the bit of struggle to truly get to know a new country!

      Reply

  7. anushka
    August 17, 2017 @ 9:35 am

    You remind me of my initial days in Dubai. It wasn’t easy. But after some time you find happiness in all those things which keep you moving.

    Reply

    • Madhurima Dutta
      August 17, 2017 @ 4:04 pm

      Ya, I can imagine Dubai couldn’t have been too easy either. Even though some countries do have large expat communities, living there can still be challenging at first. So glad you found your way there 🙂

      Reply

  8. Yesh
    August 17, 2017 @ 5:27 pm

    I can totally relate – the first time I travelled internationally, I moved to the US. I mentally prepped which helped with the homesickness! HK looks beautiful and full of adventure! Your pics are amazing and I love your story!

    Reply

    • Madhurima Dutta
      August 17, 2017 @ 10:47 pm

      Wow..I think in one way I was lucky to move within the same continent lol! and thank you so much 🙂 HK is really quite amazing!

      Reply

  9. Hra
    August 17, 2017 @ 5:37 pm

    I really love your story.. I would love to move in an other country just for an experience, but im scared!! 😛 I am proud of you!!

    Reply

    • Madhurima Dutta
      August 17, 2017 @ 10:48 pm

      Hahaha, trust me we all are scared but its a beautiful experience. I hope you get the chance to try it someday:)

      Reply

  10. Portia Jones
    August 17, 2017 @ 5:53 pm

    Sounds like you had a tough start! I’m so glad that you have adjusted and are learning to love a new city. I have lived in lots of different places and it’s not always easy at first. xx

    Reply

    • Madhurima Dutta
      August 17, 2017 @ 10:50 pm

      Hi Portia, that’s really amazing! I would love to hear your stories someday 🙂 Yes, it was quite an experience but totally worth it!

      Reply

  11. Ambuj Saxena
    August 17, 2017 @ 9:30 pm

    A new place brings new experiences isn’t it? Every story has a happy ending! I am so happy the way your story turned up after a not-so-good start but the way you have adjusted to your office and friends, is admirable! Keep writing and sharing.

    Reply

    • Madhurima Dutta
      August 17, 2017 @ 10:52 pm

      Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes, I believe we just have to find our own happy ending 🙂

      Reply

  12. amit
    August 18, 2017 @ 4:24 am

    Having been an expat myself in a Asian country I can somewhat relate to this, sometimes pictures are painted from the outside but it’s only once you’re inside that you get a true sense of what it’s like. Really liked how you spoke about the issues in some areas. Saying that I Hong Kong is still on my list haha.

    Reply

    • Madhurima Dutta
      August 18, 2017 @ 3:56 pm

      Exactly! You are totally right about that and yes, I believe HK should be on everyone’s list. Such a unique country, full of contrasts and super vibrant. I personally loved the energy just walking down the streets of Hong Kong. Definitely hope you get to be there someday:)

      Reply

  13. Ben Zabulis
    August 18, 2017 @ 10:15 pm

    A great article Madhurima and a good introduction for those planning a similar venture. Everywhere is different and you have to give each place a chance as you rightly say. I have had the chance to work abroad and taken advantage of each opportunity – I always think it’s better to go somewhere and not enjoy it than not go there at all ! Funnily enough I also went to HK for two years originally, I stayed 12 before going back to UK in 2004 !! You won’t be surprised when I tell you that a couple of years ago we came back to retire here !

    Reply

    • Madhurima Dutta
      August 19, 2017 @ 1:06 am

      Wow! That is indeed amazing. I think its a rare occasion when I hear people retiring and returning to HK. So glad I got to hear this 🙂 and thank you for your praises. I certainly agree with you that its better to go somewhere and not like it rather than not going at all. You learn so much, it really changes you!

      Reply

  14. Madison
    August 19, 2017 @ 8:11 pm

    Thanks for sharing your story. I’m in the process of moving right now and I’m hoping I’m able to adjust quickly…

    Reply

    • Madhurima Dutta
      August 20, 2017 @ 7:26 pm

      All the very best, I am sure you will do great!

      Reply

  15. Rahat Arora
    August 19, 2017 @ 9:14 pm

    These look like they would be amazing adventures. Good luck for coming adventures.

    Reply

    • Madhurima Dutta
      August 20, 2017 @ 7:27 pm

      Thank you so much 🙂

      Reply

  16. LaiAriel R. Samangka
    August 20, 2017 @ 12:38 am

    Wow, Hong Kong is really one of those Countries I really admire the most. Your Hong Kong Travel experiences is really awesome. You have just made missed Hong Kong. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

    Reply

    • Madhurima Dutta
      August 20, 2017 @ 7:28 pm

      Thank you so much for your kind words. Its true, Hk is indeed quite unique, lets hope we can go back to visit it again in the future 🙂

      Reply

  17. Joyce
    August 20, 2017 @ 1:13 am

    I’m from Hong Kong, so reading this makes me feel so happy that you finally found something you enjoyed about Hong Kong and your time here. I’m glad you had a great time. Come back again soon!

    Reply

    • Madhurima Dutta
      August 20, 2017 @ 7:28 pm

      Hi Joyce, thanks a lot. I will definitely come back again. Its a wonderful country for sure!

      Reply

  18. finja
    August 20, 2017 @ 5:43 am

    What a great read. I did the same, I moved to Sweden and now to London. There is something so liberating about it. As well it shows how strong we are. 🙂
    x finja ~ http://www.effcaa.com

    Reply

    • Madhurima Dutta
      August 20, 2017 @ 7:29 pm

      Totally agreed! Wow, I have never been to Sweden but perhaps some day 🙂

      Reply

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