What does "home" mean to you?
Is it the smell of fresh tortillas in the morning? The sound of bachata playing at a family gathering? Or maybe it’s simply the warmth of being surrounded by people who just get you. For Latinas living abroad, the meaning of "home" can feel especially complex, like a puzzle with missing pieces.
When you leave your motherland, your roots feel more exposed. Nostalgia creeps in, and you find yourself longing for the simple joys—like your abuela’s arroz con pollo or conversations filled with expressions that only make sense in Spanish. The question is, can you carry "home" with you wherever you go, or does it get left behind like a passport stamp fading over time?
Today, I want to share my personal story of being a Latina expat, how living abroad reshaped my cultural identity, and how I eventually redefined "home." Whether you’re sipping café con leche in Spain or exploring the colorful streets of Bangkok, I hope this helps you feel a little less alone in your own expat adventure.
My Journey Abroad
I’ll never forget my first day in Scotland. Armed with a suitcase and dreams that were almost too big to carry, I told myself, “This is it. A fresh start!” But as the days turned into weeks, I realized how much of "home" I’d taken for granted.
At first, there was the excitement of a new culture—the foods, the languages, the architecture. But soon, differences snuck up on me. I craved the vibrant noise of my family’s sobremesas, the reassurance of hearing Spanish spoken around me, and the feeling of not having to explain my identity to anyone.
I’d look at myself in the mirror and wonder, "Can I still call myself a proud Latina if I’m thousands of miles away from the community that shaped me?"
But slowly, as I learned how to bridge these two worlds, the loneliness began to fade.
How Living Abroad Shaped My Cultural Identity
When you’re a Latina living abroad, your culture isn't just a part of you—it’s the lens through which the world sees you. And that can be both a blessing and a challenge.
I had moments where I felt a wave of pride when people were curious about my heritage. Every time someone tried tamales for the first time or I taught them how to say "mi casa es tu casa," I felt like I was sharing pieces of home.
But there were also moments of feeling "othered." Like when someone assumed Latin America was one big country or when I was called "exotic" (a word that still makes my skin crawl).
Over time, I noticed something beautiful happening. Instead of leaving my culture behind, I found myself folding it into this new chapter of my life. I became my own ambassador of what it means to be Latina—not by trying to explain every detail, but by living authentically, wherever in the world I happened to be.
Redefining Home
Here’s a hard truth I’ve learned as an expat: home isn’t always a place. Sometimes, it’s a feeling you create for yourself. And that was a game-changer.
I stopped chasing a specific ideal of "home" and started building it around me. For me, that meant…
- Bringing Familiar Comforts into My Life: My kitchen became my sanctuary. Cooking family recipes helped me reconnect with my roots. I even started hunting for Latin American grocery stores to stock up on essentials like panela and masa harina.
- Creating Rituals for Connection: Weekly video calls with my family became like therapy sessions. Seeing their faces as we laughed over random stories reminded me that distance is only physical.
- Welcoming New Traditions: Blending my Latina identity with local culture felt like planting seeds in foreign soil. I learned how to celebrate local holidays but never missed the chance to make tamales during Christmas or sing to "Las Mañanitas" on someone’s birthday.
Tips for Navigating Identity as a Latina Expat
Every Latina has her own unique experience of moving abroad, but here are a few practical tips that helped me feel grounded in my identity as I carved out a sense of home.
1. Find Your Community
Seek out local Latinx groups. Whether it’s a Salsa class, a Latin festival, or an expat Facebook group, these connections can give you a taste of home when you’re missing it most.
2. Stay Connected to Your Roots
Don’t underestimate the power of music, food, and language. Whether it’s blasting Marc Anthony for a solo dance sesh or Facetiming your friends in Spanglish, these little acts of familiarity make a big difference.
3. Reframe Loneliness as Opportunity
It’s natural to feel lonely at times. Instead of seeing it as isolating, treat it as an opportunity to grow. Journal your experiences, take up a new hobby, or explore your new surroundings with curiosity.
4. Be Open to Blending Cultures
Living abroad doesn’t mean letting go of your culture. It means adding new layers to it. Celebrate the little things you love about your new home while proudly owning your identity as a fierce Latina.
5. Give Yourself Grace
Some days, you’ll feel like the most confident person in the world. Other days, you might feel lost and homesick. That’s okay. Give yourself the kindness and patience you’d offer a close friend.
Home Is What You Carry With You
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a Latina living abroad, it’s this—home isn’t something you find. It’s something you create. Whether it’s bringing a little piece of your culture to foreign shores or blending it with the traditions of your new environment, you have the power to carry "home" with you, no matter where you roam.
At the end of the day, being an expat isn’t about choosing between two identities. It’s about weaving them together into something beautiful and uniquely yours.
To my fellow Latinas out there living abroad, remember this: you’re never truly alone. You have an entire global hermana-hood rooting for you.
If you’ve made it this far, I want to hear from you! What’s one thing that makes you feel at home, no matter where you are? Share it in the comments below.
