What it’s like to grow up everywhere

Surfing through the web, I always found a ton of cutesy articles describing what it means to have grown up in this-or-that town. They fondly recall childhood memories like that wholesome mom-and-pop down the street, that funny way to pronounce “hello,” or your favorite hideaway when skipping school.

However, what if you never had those homegrown roots? What if, like me, you’d spent more of your childhood bouncing from town to town rather than staying in one place?

In the course of my 20 years, I’ve lived in five different states, two different countries, and eight different cities. I spent the majority of my life growing up in Illinois, but we eventually jumped from place to place, including Budapest, Hungary, where I attended an international school.

Being the “new girl” became a full time job–it meant repeating my name over and over until people knew it, answering questions about my exotic travels, and learning how to make friends with all types of people. It was a lifetime of experience crammed into a short span, and from it I emerged worldly and independent.

So, here’s the long-awaited article for all those expert new kids and restless travelers: what it’s like to grow up everywhere.

The hardest question to answer is “Where are you from?”

Do you pick where you most recently lived? Or your favorite town? Or maybe where you were born? Whatever the answer, you know it’ll give that person an immediate impression, so you have to choose wisely. Or, you can respond like I do with “it’s complicated”—I like to think it gives an air of mystery.

Your accent is…confusing.

When you’ve grown up around several regions with their own way of saying things, eventually you’re bound to pick up a few accents or pronunciations. Chances are you’ll pick up on a lot of them actually, making your own kind of special mix. For instance, if I had to describe my own accent, I’d have to say it’s a combination of Bostonian phrases, Midwestern pronunciation, and a slight southern drawl. Think, “Y’all want an ice cold pop right now? It’s wicked hot outside.”

You’re an expert at packing.

Cramming an entire wardrobe into one suitcase is no problem for you. If anything, it’s child’s play. You’ve stuffed enough boxes in your life to know how to fold, stack, and stuff like a pro. This packing skill may also make you an expert at jigsaw puzzles, since the two are almost the same.

You’re not a very picky eater.

This one may vary depending on where you happened to live, but living internationally very quickly eliminates any pickiness—it’s either that or starve. Suddenly, ox tail soup sounds just as appetizing as a hamburger…

You have a tight bond with your family.

Through each first day, each road trip, each farewell party, your family has been the only solid foundation in your life. Constant movers tend to have a deep-rooted bond with their family that only comes from realizing that, at the end of the day, they really are all that matters.

You literally have friends from around the world.

Or at least all over the nation. You probably created your Facebook to keep in touch with those buddies left behind in places you’ve breezed through. It’s funny how no matter where you go, you can always manage to find someone to relate to, and sometimes those quickly formed friendships can last a lifetime.

Your vacations were going home.

Spring break? Let’s go back home! Other families may have some tropical getaways planned, but your exotic vacations were mostly spent visiting what you probably consider closest to your “hometown”—basically wherever Grandma and your crazy aunt are.

You couldn’t imagine having stayed in one place!

It is hard to move from place to place and endure the grueling trial of new kid-hood. However, at the end of the day, it gave you a new perspective on the world that you wouldn’t trade for anything. While your friends may have great stories about growing up in one place, you can definitely outdo them with your tales of adventure.