The nowadays trend is that people tend to move away from their original place of living, leaving their families and friends behind. I do believe this is especially true for young people. While such move can bring in new opportunities, it also has significant holdbacks, which will be discussed in this essay.
On the one hand, a fresh start in a different place entails greater possibilities for new learning and career, enriches the life experience and networking. It allows to get acquainted with new people and cultures, especially if the travel is to a different country. Very often people from a small town move to a big city within their own state just because it provides for more studying or job opportunities, which may be vital for them to be able to pursue their life goals or support families. Moving away from parents’ home is also an important boost in adolescence. It fosters self-responsibility, ability to rely on yourself and to separate from parents.
There are, however, important disadvantages. Leaving one’s home weakens family bonds: people tend to have different lives, different interests, communicate more and more rarely, which may lead to a complete fallout. This often makes those originally close to them suffer, especially elderly parents. Living away from family and friends is also a very hard (and sometimes even cruel) test for a personality with homesick, no one to rely to, but yourself, losing connection with something dear and important.
My own experience was quite a harsh one, when I just packed my own things and those of my three kids, and left with them for another country (for good, as I thoughts at the moment). Despite a successful settling with documents, schools, work, household sorted out, I desperately missed my dear ones, especially my parents, friends, my loved one… My suffering and homesick was so intense, that I could not bear it any more. So after several month abroad I came back home and stayed.
Nevertheless, I do not regret this move: I definitely learned what I am capable of, expanded my horizons and will be ready to do what I must if I face the necessity. I did also realise, how dearly I need my loved ones and the true value of my homeland and family and how difficult it is to cope without them.