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I moved back to #America after 8 years in Krakow, #Poland… Do I regret it? 👀 #livingabroad

Sarah Achleithner

27,609 views

After living in Poland for eight years, I moved back to the United States...and I thought coming home would feel easier than it did.

Poland became home in so many ways. I built a life there, made incredible memories, and experienced everyday life from a completely different perspective. So moving back to America after eight years abroad came with some unexpected culture shocks.

From grocery stores and convenience to the pace of everyday life, food, driving, and the things I found myself missing about Europe, coming home made me realize just how much living abroad had changed the way I see America.

I can miss my life in Poland AND be happy to be home.

There are things I absolutely love about living in America, and there are things I miss about Europe. After eight years abroad, I notice both a lot more.

This isn't about which country is "better." It's about what happens when you live somewhere long enough for another culture to become part of who you are...and then come home.

If you've ever lived abroad, moved countries, or simply wondered what it would feel like to return home after years away, I'd love to hear your experience in the comments.

Subscribe for more videos about life between America and Europe, travel, food, healthy living, motherhood, and everything I'm learning in this new chapter.

//SHOP MY FAVORITES
TODDLER
Diaper cream: https://link.amazon/B0ccjiHwE (the BEST one!!!)
Kids fiber supplement: https://link.amazon/B09XSapdu
Sleep sack: https://link.amazon/B08w7L2pJ
Kids stainless steel sippy cup: https://link.amazon/B0gaqgL5r
Blackout tent: https://link.amazon/B03tE6yia
Dresser: https://link.amazon/B03PAVCp5

LIFESTYLE
Outdoor solar lights: https://link.amazon/B0bq6nuNh (so modern and pretty, perfect for any space!)
Kindle fire: https://link.amazon/B04Gu9hko
Rice cooker: https://link.amazon/B0dF2Ofzl
Blender: https://link.amazon/B058uU4Lp
Living room rug: https://link.amazon/B02m5UT74 (and it's washable!)

BEAUTY
Snail mucin cream: https://link.amazon/B0aAcXR3O
Sunscreen: https://link.amazon/B0dEKa6LB
Press on nails: https://link.amazon/B0i9EDzzq
AHA lotion: https://link.amazon/B0d63LmRi
Wet brush: https://link.amazon/B04fz0oMz
Heat protectant: https://link.amazon/B0d0DVdPT

SUPPLEMENTS
Protein powder: https://link.amazon/B0cvDdILH (the cleanest on the market)
Creatine: https://link.amazon/B04Zfmsdx
Collagen: https://link.amazon/B069cRfQe

//RELATED VIDEOS:
My birth story: My birth story 🤱 (unmedicated, positive wa...
Apartment tour in Krakow: Apartment tour in Krakow, Poland ♥
The best high protein foods: The best HIGH PROTEIN FOODS to eat for 100...
Healthcare in Poland: HEALTHCARE in POLAND vs. AMERICA | An Amer...
Common misconceptions about Poland: 7 FACTS about POLAND | busting common misc...
Why I love Poland: Why I LOVE POLAND | An American expat pers...
Poland grocery haul: GROCERY HAUL: HOW MUCH I SPEND IN A WEEK |...
Hardest words in Polish: 9 Hardest Words to Say in POLISH (accordin...
Krakow vs. Warsaw: KRAKOW, Poland vs. WARSAW, Poland: which c...
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For business inquiries, please email sachleithner@gmail.com

#polandtravel #oregonadventures #lifeintheusa #livinginpoland #american #lifelessons #expatlife

20 Comments

@MarkSparrow-l9p 3 weeks ago (edited)

As someone from Poland thank you for the kind words about our country. It's amazing that you chose Poland for 8 years of your life. You know, perhaps moving back to the US, so that your son can be with his grandma and other extended family was actually the most Polish thing you could have done. Of course I subscribed. All the best to you guys!

@stevemiller1203 3 weeks ago

I’m a 73 year old American, I have lived in a medium size Polish city for a little over a year, I think it would be hard for me to move back to the US, of course no where is perfect but Poland feels like home to me now. The biggest challenge is the language, I keep trying to learn but progress is slow!

@jacekchmielewski6372 3 weeks ago

I’m Polish and American with two citizenship living in United States for a long time but visiting Poland very often. The food in the US is poison. You can find some real food, but it’s expensive and not accessible the last majority of the population. The food in Poland is 1000% better. The convenience in big cities is actually better in Poland because in US you’re enslaved to your car.
In United States is very difficult to find real bread.

@piotrjasielski 3 weeks ago

There is a better solution - entire family should move to Poland. Everyone happy. Everyone healthy. Everyone safe.

@analystfromoz 2 weeks ago

I am from Poland and have been living in the US for the past 30 years but the food here is a disaster. Even shopping at small farmers markets doesn't guarantee high quality vs what you can get at a super market in Poland. The food quality is the number one reason why I will move back to Poland with my American husband. Poland also has amazing infrastructure now, the US sadly feels very outdated. The main thing I love in the US are the beautiful national parks.

@jusar83 2 weeks ago

i wish you great life. greetings from poland

@klapek_lk 3 weeks ago

I don’t understand why Americans think USA is so covienient. If you don’t have a car, you are sick, too young or to old to drive etc. the convient of your country is ending. You can’t even make a groceries - it’s not convienient. 😢 For me convient is that if I don’t have a car I can still be a part of society and be independent. You don’t need 24h stores if you can’t get there.

@alicjas4282 3 weeks ago

Rozumiem Twoją decyzję powrodu do domu. Myślę, że takie pragnienie bycia blisko rodziny i miejscu urodzenia jest jakoś w nas wpisane. Jednak dziwi mnie, że będąc dietetykiem cieszysz się z gotowych, przemyslowych dań, dostepu do zapychaczy w formie przekąsek, napojów (zapewne w większości napchanych cukrem). Pomimo, że całodobowe sklepy są z pewnością wygodne, to jednak w Polsce też mozna zrobic awaryjne zakupy w niedzielę np. w Żabce, w sklepiku osiedlowym czy na stacji paliw. Apteki też są całodobowe, ale dyżurne. Piszę nie po to aby Cię przekonywać, ale gwoli prawdzie. Myślę, że w USA żyje się w miarę wygodnie jeżeli ktoś ma dużo pieniedzy i jest młody. Chcesz zapewnić synowi kontakt z rodziną i to zrozumiałe, ale jednocześnie będzie bardziej narażony chociazby na narkotyki, mniej bezpieczny nie tylko w szkole, ale i na ulicy. Mimo to życzę Ci udanego dalszego życia.

@Jacek_videos 3 weeks ago (edited)

and Poland misses you ! ❤ You would have made a great Pole 👍🤗 ps. My sister is married to a Canadian. They usually live in the US but the last 6 years (due to his job) they lived in Switzerland which turned out to be very beneficial and educational for their kids (they learned the European culture, visited all the countries and (of course) picked up the languages ) And yes you're right: Europe is more relaxed than the US ... We do enjoy all the social privileges (like long 26 day vacations, many long weekend etc.)

@michalp.1484 3 weeks ago

What you said is for me personally a confirmation that in the USA people live to be consumers and employees - reality leaves them very little space for themselves.

@margaretmartine9430 2 weeks ago

I’m reacting to the 24 hour Walmart pharmacy advantage. In any Polish city there’re pharmacies opened all night long, but they switch over the night shifts.

@kalinamasash1137 2 weeks ago

I returned to Poland a few years ago after living abroad for 27 years—25 of which I spent in Australia. To be honest, I no longer know what nationality I am; I listen to English-language YouTube content while writing in Polish. I owned a home in Tasmania, and now I have a house in Poland—and I think I’ll stay here for good. I have family in both countries: my daughter and friends are in Australia, while my sister and her family are in Poland.

@szczupak85 2 weeks ago

Places are places. People are all what matters.

@lemonid 3 weeks ago

A Pole here, born and raised in Warsaw, moved to Barcelona a few years ago. I subscibred to your channel long time ago, I really like your insights, an American perspective on expat life in Poland - sth us Poles rarely get to learn about! Glad to see you're back recording and I'm happy to hear you've enjoyed your life in PL! All best back in your homeland!

@sirzbigniew 7 days ago

Greetings from Wroclaw,Poland. Thanks for kind words and i wish your family all the best. Stay healthy :)

@Mikexception 3 weeks ago (edited)

Ja uważam że czy dobrze się gdzieś czujemy decyduje nie kraj a własne psychiczne nastawienie do nowego otoczenia . Kiedyś bywałem np w Egipcie. Pierwsza wizyta gdy przyleciałem do Aleksandrii już zupełnie na własną odpowiedzialność była dla mnie przerażająca - moje myśli krążyły wciąż tylko wokół jednego - czy na pewno mi się uda wrócić do domu Bo wszystko wyglądało na niemożliwe do wykonania . . . Wyjazd z powrotem był ulgą. Strach że nie poradzę sobie Potem wiele razy tam musiałem wracać i mieszkałem, poznałem przynajmniej najważniejsze zwyczaje i tradycje, polubiłem ludzi bo mogłem na nich których bardziej polegać niż na tych w Polsce i stało się tak że czułem się tam bardziej u siebie niż w kraju ...ups? Zmienił się nie kraj ale moje nastawienie do niego

Mieszkałem czasowo w kilku egzotycznych krajach i w każdym (nawet w Chinach) wszędzie miałem dobre doświadczenia jednak nie w zakresie wygody życia codziennego. Bo ze względu na egzotyczne jedzenie i brak wiedzy i różne nieznane języki wygoda to jednak Polska . Ale ludzie wszędzie potrafią być bardzo mili i godni zaufania i wielu zasłużyło nas moją wdzięczność i chęć (jednak niemożliwego) powrotu.

@RTcoments 3 weeks ago

3:27 For people who don’t speak Polish, this might be harder to find out, but there are pharmacies that stay open 24/7.

@edytatehrani3934 3 weeks ago

Poland was a great adventure for you, but it is understandable that you want to raise your son close to family.

@dancoffey3552 3 weeks ago

Enjoyed your video. I will be heading back to Krakow in 1 month.

@iww6994 2 weeks ago

In Poland there is always a pharmacy on duty during the night in a city. You have to check which one is it. You can get all medication at night. Greetings😉