There are many reasons people decide to expatriate. Some move countries to be with a loved one. Others expatriate to pursue career opportunities. Some expats seek a better way of life for themselves and their families. Then there are those of us who are immersing ourselves in a new culture and pursuing our desire to travel and explore a new part of the world.

I'll be honest; If someone had told me ten years ago I'd be living in Europe, or anywhere other than my home country of Canada, for that matter, I'd have laughed. Although I always loved travelling, it never occurred to me to stay somewhere longer than just a few week's vacation.

The views on the east coast of Canada differ greatly from our Belgian vistas. 

Six years ago, when my husband's company offered us the chance to live in Amsterdam for three months, everything changed for us. We got a taste of expat life and we were hooked.  The ability to explore a new country as a local was an experience we wanted to repeat.

A year later we were living in Belgium and beginning a new phase in our expat life.  Although settling in a new country was more difficult than I ever would have imagined, expat life had one incredible advantage - travel.