Being an International School kid is both a blessing and a curse. No one really understands what it's like to grow up all over the globe but it's an experience that has shaped you into the person you are today. With it's ups and downs, it definitely created a memorable childhood, and here are 19 feelings you will definitely relate to.
1. When someone asks you where you're from you sound like you're reciting the list of countries that are part of The United Nations.
"United States. And Singapore. India too. Paris also counts, I guess. And England. Kind of."
2. You often slip in and out of another language, confusing others and making it seem like you have no idea what you're saying.
3. You can fluently swear in at least 5 different languages.
4. While most people take a trip the zoo in 3rd grade, you were busy hitting up the Louvre or something equally as absurd.
5. You have (or are) that one friend who's met half of the world's leaders.
6. Your group of friends is as nationally diverse as it can possibly get.
7. Either you or your friends are moving at the end of every school year.
8. So you're used to having to find new friends every single year.
9. Which is the reason for your commitment and abandonment issues.
10. But reuniting with friends you haven't seen in possibly 10 years is always amazing.
11. The concept of growing up in one place baffles you.
You've never moved? Ever?! That's possible??? What's that even like?????? PEOPLE LIKE THIS EXIST?!
12. There's a 99% chance that when someone mentions some random country you have a long-lost friend living there.
"Guatemala? Oh my God, my best friend from 4th grade lives there!"
13. You have 5+ time zones listed on your clock app.
By now you've memorized all time zone differences, but with friends all over the world it's a lot faster to figure out who's possibly awake and able to text back.
14. Also have you heard of this wonderful things called WhatsApp?
Lol no way I'm paying for all that international calling and texting.
15. Your birthday wishes start a day early and end a day late.
Gotta start on the far east of the globe then slowly end with the west. Which is fine, you get to act like the most important person alive for a few extra hours.
16. You like to claim you never get jet lagged.
We all know that's a big fat lie, we saw you sleeping in class. Nobody can conquer that black magic.
17. You've randomly run into some random childhood friend at some international airport.
18. Airports are your safe space.
While most kids bonded with their families through cross-country road trips, you had the blessing of living through numerous 10 hour flights where you somehow always ended up with in front of the annoying kid who wouldn't stop kicking your seat.
19. You wouldn't change a second of it all.
As overwhelming, chaotic and confusing as it can be, it made you who are today. It taught you more than you'll ever learn otherwise and for that you're always grateful.