From Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City: Channel Steve
Erin
16 August, 2012 10:58
Hi, My name is Steve. I’m originally from Melbourne, Australia and I moved to Ho Chi Minh City in 2009.
1. Why did you move abroad?
After 13 years in a giant corporate, serving internal and external IT customers in various ways, I found myself increasingly dissatisfied (with life?), but not sure why. I wangled a severance package during a huge corporate restructure, which allowed me the luxury of a long overseas trip. I chose Asia because we have so many Asians in Melbourne, but because they tend to keep to themselves I knew nothing about them.
Seven countries and 53 days later I came home, having fallen in love with Vietnam and Japan, but not knowing if I would ever see those places again. I started a new job, but remained unhappy. A few weeks later I read that my favorite metal band, Judas Priest, was playing the Budokan in Tokyo. This is one of those iconic gigs that most people only ever dream of attending, but I was determined to make it happen. A rather spontaneous trip ensued, leading me back to Japan, with Vietnam added for good measure as well. It was after that trip I knew I needed to live in Vietnam. I undertook a TESOL course, hooked up with a local agency, sold my house, ended my 10-year relationship and moved. Crazy, you say? Maybe so. I am now much more satisfied with life, though.
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