I moved from the US to Australia 6 years ago. I love my life abroad, but still feel guilty every day.
An American expat living in Australia reflects on the psychological phenomenon of 'expat guilt,' which stems from the tension between enjoying a new life abroad and the perceived obligation to loved ones left behind. The piece explores the emotional toll of migration.
Why it matters
It sheds light on the often-overlooked mental health challenges faced by the growing population of global expatriates.
The author said she enjoys living abroad, but definitely feels the pressure of expat guilt from time to time. Courtesy of Jaimee Marshall. I traveled from Philadelphia to Australia in 2020, expecting to stay for a few months. Six years later, I'm still here. I love my life, but expat guilt weighs on me from time to time. It's difficult to have a fulfilling life so far away from so many people you care so much about. In 2020, I unwittingly moved to Australia on what was supposed to be a temporary trip lasting a few months. Instead of studying abroad for a semester and heading back to the Philly suburbs with some stories and a tan, I stayed for another six years. Now, I'm a permanent resident eligible for citizenship.
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