Chapter 3 – Navigating New Roads
Discover the inspiring stories of expatriates featured on @WeAreXpats through this article series, written by our dedicated PR volunteer, Aleksandra. Through these narratives, Aleksandra aims to capture the voices of those who generously shared their experiences as part of the @WeAreXpats initiative. Click here to explore the initiative further.
"Don't look at the navigation. Just follow the signs," Lori said as I drove along a broad Texas highway shortly after moving to Austin. The multiple lanes were overwhelming and confusing—nothing like the roads in Poland between Warsaw and the suburban house my parents had moved to some time ago. Living abroad, I quickly realised that something as basic and ordinary to the locals as infrastructure could bring a ton of anxiety to an expatriate. Lori’s advice was invaluable, momentarily resolving all my driving confusion and giving me a skill that would serve me well in the future.
@WeAreExpat curator’s post on learning to navigate complicated highways in a new place
Reading posts by the curators of the @WeAreXpats X (Twitter) account makes me feel less alone. After moving abroad, even an aimless walk around the neighbourhood can turn into an exploratory excursion where everything—from sidewalks and architecture to car brands and fashion—feels unfamiliar.
@WeAreXpats curator’s post capturing the view on their walk
Living in America, I truly cherished the hung window in my bedroom, quite ordinary for an American home but different from any window in any house I had ever been in before. I realised that grocery shopping, filling up the gas, or buying a bus ticket might become a challenge. Sometimes, even crossing the road felt like a habit I had to relearn.
@WeAreXpats curator post: discussion about differences in traffic rules and crossing the street
In Texas, I often wandered around, taking pictures of the most 'normal' things, like parking lots, houses, and trees. Now, years later, with some additional perspective from the @WeAreXpats curators, I realise that my daily walks were part of the adaptation process. Rather than simply discovering and learning about differences, perhaps it was always about connecting through what was similar. Finding trees that, although unknown species to me, gave the same comfort in their shade. I remember the first time I entered the grocery store and thought, "I finally feel like this is my grocery store." What had once intimidated me—the unfamiliar products, the different aisles, the confusing packaging—had become normal.
@WeAreXpat curator’s post depicting different Japanese products: craft bags, socks, ice bags, capsule toys
Lori was incredibly helpful in introducing me to her country, and I owe her and the rest of my host family credit for helping me feel at home in Austin. Apart from teaching me how to navigate the complicated highways, she and her husband Jason were great at explaining their history and culture. They introduced me to s'mores, which I had never heard of before, and even organised a bonfire in their backyard so I could experience them firsthand. I owe them my discovery of Tex-Mex cuisine and learning how to make refried beans. Together, we witnessed the peaks of the global pandemic, the Black Lives Matter protests, and the developments surrounding the national elections. They taught me about Texan nature, such as fire ants, mosquitoes that spread West Nile fever, grass snakes, coyotes, mountain lions, and the dangers of stagnant water in the creeks near the house. None of these were things I could have ever encountered in Poland. Their ordinary life became a source of life lessons and experiences, and I remain grateful for the way they made the unknown normal to me.
Although I loved my time in Austin, there were days when I felt the weight of the distance between Texas and my hometown. It was the first time I had gone so long without seeing my family and friends, and I truly began to understand what it meant to spend Christmas and birthdays without them. There were moments when I wished I could trade the highways of Texas for a simple tram ride that would take me to my grandma's house.
Eventually, my journey in Austin was as much about discovering a new place as it was about finding a new sense of home. Lori's simple advice to "just follow the signs" stayed with me in many more situations than just driving. Navigating unfamiliar roads, learning new customs, and adapting to a different culture were all part of the process. Reading posts on @WeAreXpats, I realised that being an expatriate is not just about adjusting to differences—it's about finding comfort in shared experiences and making the unfamiliar feel familiar. Through @WeAreXpats, I’ve come to see that my story is part of a larger narrative. We all start overwhelmed, but over time, with a little guidance, we find our way. And in that journey, we discover that no matter where we are in the world, we can always find pieces of home.