Hi, my name is Fran and I’m an illustrator currently living in the U.K.
But, if you notice the accent, it’s because I am originally from Chile.
Chile is a super-lovely country near the bottom of South America.
I miss my country so much but, three years ago, I moved with my husband to Germany
and now to the U.K.
Honestly, it has been quite an adventure.
The lovely people from EF asked me to share my experience with you guys.
Today, I’m going to be sort of like a guest on their channel,
so, thank you so much, EF, for collaborating with me in this video.
I realized that I have never shared this experience with anyone.
I moved years ago, but I have never shared my experience of living abroad
and moving and traveling.
This is actually a super-nice opportunity to share this experience with you guys and,
hopefully, help you a little bit.
So far, in these past three years, I have lived in Cologne, Berlin and,
until recently, I lived for a whole year in London, which was insane and amazing at the same time.
Two months ago, I moved to Hastings,
which is a city by the south coast of England - and it’s gorgeous.
I’m not going to lie, guys.
Living abroad, moving and traveling gets a little bit scary sometimes.
Moving to another country is basically like being born again because you need all your papers again.
You’re like a new person in a new city.
Plus, most of the time you feel alone because you’re speaking in a different language and
you have to get used to the idea of speaking in a new language.
If I can be totally honest with you guys,
all the wonderful things that have happened in my life,
have happened while I was traveling.
All the gifts that I’ve received in my adulthood, if I can call myself an adult by now,
have been from my travels through Europe.
When you’re traveling, moving or living abroad, far away from your friends and family,
all you have is yourself, so you’re constantly experiencing positive change within yourself.
I don’t know if you know this, but Hastings is an hour and a half away from London.
So, in my mind, just the possibility of going into London every single week,
meeting with editors and publishers, with friends, or going to these wonderful museums and parks
and being surrounded by this awesome, cultural and hectic city …
Then, taking the train back home, reading and enjoying time for an hour and a half
and coming back to this beautiful, gorgeous city by the beach
where everything is calm and peaceful, is still such a surreal experience for me.
I think the most important gift that I’ve received or the most important experience and
opportunity I’ve had while living here in Europe is everything related to my work and what I do.
I know I mentioned before that I’m an illustrator, but this can apply to all careers in some way.
I work with travel journals, illustrations, and social media.
I also make YouTube videos once in a while.
Everything I do is related to traveling, moving abroad, or missing friends and family.
All the possibilities and experiences that I’m having right now,
as an illustrator living in the U.K., are because I took the chance and moved.
I know it’s really scary because you never know what’s going to happen.
You’re basically facing the unknown when you decide to move abroad.
But I don’t know if I would be the person who’s talking to you right now, if I hadn’t moved.
I think wonderful things happen to your brain when you’re exposed to different things.
In general, just the idea of taking a week off and traveling to a different city or a new place
exposes your brain to different sensations, emotions, food, friends, and people.
That, my friends, does wonders for your creativity.
So, whether you’re a writer or work in advertising,
whether you’re really into fashion, or if you’re a blogger, an illustrator or artist,
traveling or experiencing culture for a couple of months outside your hometown
is something I really recommend.
If you’re thinking of moving right now
or considering the possibility of taking a chance to move
or take a week off to travel,
or to do something really big like moving and never coming back,
I highly suggest you do it! Don’t worry if you feel scared.
In some way, I think we’re all scared, but it’s a chance I highly recommend you take.
I wish you the best on all your adventures and projects.
If you have any questions, I’d love to read them down below.
I hope you’re having a wonderful day.
Thank you so much with EF for collaborating with me on this video.
That’s it! Bye-bye, guys!