Last year, this time, I was taking a crucial decision to move abroad again and start a new life. I did it because I felt that I was already settling in a comfort zone, doing the same basic things and forgetting that life is more than a boring 9 to 5 job, dealing with rent and going out occasionally with my friends. I just needed a kick and a ticket to re-start what I already started back in 2014 when I first decided to leave Romania and study abroad with my best friend.


With a big suitcase and a flixbus ticket, I said goodbye to my friends in a random September night back in 2019. I told them that I’ll be back eventually, but deep in my heart I just knew that this trip will only be a one-way trip and I was right. So here I am, in the most livable city in the world, starting from scratch a journey that would eventually open many doors for me. It wasn’t easy, especially coming in a place where you basically don’t know anyone and the language didn’t make things easier as well, but time flew by and a few weeks later I met the most incredible human beings ever. I started living life again and it’s incredible how alive you can feel when you start experiencing new things and especially when you finally leave your comfort zone behind and push yourself to limits you never thought you had.

After settling down in Vienna, a few months later I started traveling again in Europe. I visited Ireland for the first time ever in January and then I went again to Sweden to attend Melodifestivalen, an event that I was watching since high school and it never crossed my mind that one day I will eventually be live in that arena. The experience was incredible. Sadly, after arriving back in Vienna the coronavirus pandemic started rapidly spreading all over the world and one month later, all of us were trapped in a scary lock-down that tested our mental health to the limits.
It wasn’t easy. Especially this period between March and May but funnily enough, this terrifying experience brought me even closer to my friends and we found ways to help each other and to overcome these nasty times. June came, I turned 27 (holy moly, getting old) and slowly, life came back to different normality but definitely way easier to deal with. I started traveling again but this time within Austria, since going abroad was definitely a risky option. Salzburg and Hallstatt gave me the boost that I needed to optimize my moral.

One year passed since I’ve been to Romania and I got mixed feelings about this. I miss everyone but sadly this ongoing pandemic doesn’t make it easier for me to come back soon. I just hope that at least by Spring, next year, things will improve and we will all get to at least a better normality than the one we are currently experiencing. Thankfully, this pandemic didn’t manage to put a stop to my ongoing plans regarding career development and being abroad.
So what’s next?
I will move again but this time my journey will lead me to the beautiful city of Prague located in the Czech Republic. A city that I’ve visited back in 2018 and that I always targeted as one of the cities where I would like to live, at least for a while. Now, this dream came true and for some time I’ll be living and working there. There’s still a chance that I might come back to Vienna next year, depending on how the situation improves but so far I’m excited to start this new chapter of my life and close one or if not the best one I had so far. I feel blessed and lucky to experience all these things and let’s see where life will lead me next. Until next time! 🙂
As uncertain as these times may seem, it’s so exciting at the same time not knowing what adventures this will lead you on next! At least Vienna is a beautiful place to have been stuck during lockdown. I lived there for a summer on exchange a few years ago and loved it so much 🙂
It is a beautiful post about making dreams come true, about real life, and leaving our comfort zones. For sure, it is worth leaving your comfort zone. It was a great decision! A year ago, I went on a trip in a camper van, which lasted 8 months through Canada and the U.S. We left our jobs from 9 to 5 pm, left everything, flew to America, and lived in a small, cramped motorhome and it was beautiful. We traveled from Alaska to Florida. Unfortunately, our road trip was interrupted due to COVID-19. We had to leave the U.S. had to return to the country. But it was the best decision we could have made. It’s great that you’ve decided to move to Vienna, and you are going to Prague! You’re living to the fullest! I wish you good luck!
Though I can imagine that it would be difficult to leave a city like Vienna, I’m sure you’ll have wonderful experiences in Prague. Two amazing places to live. Enjoy!
Congrats on taking moves to do whatever might be best for you and to be able to live life! We wish you well wherever life takes you.
Leaving everything behind and moving somewhere new is both exciting and nerve-wracking. I’m sure the pandemic has provided its challenges, but good for you for following your dreams and continuing to travel around!
Interesting read! I believe that’s a true nomadic spirit you have and gives a very different perspective. Glad to see you have managed to travel so much even in these uncertain times. All the best to you for your next adventure!
Lovely! I have been to both Vienna and Prague, and must say, you are only lucky to be choosing between the two. I hope your dreams find wings, wherever you choose to be. Great that you have managed to travel and start new adventures in these uncertain times!
Woah, you’ve taken an awesome leap when you moved initially. Very cool to see you try again, I wish you the best on your path
As you said it’s closing one chapter to open another. You’ve got to get outside of your comfort zone and discover something and excited and new in which you’ve done successfully! Sorry, it was in such a weird time for the world.
This sounds like such an amazing experience! I would love to do something like this and had I discovered my passion for travel before having my daughter, I would be doing the exact same thing! It is more difficult now, but I love reading stories like this. I agree, stepping out of your comfort zone usually always leads to good things. I hope you get to continue your journey and meet more amazing people!
Love it! Great moments