There are so many terms and labels floating around out there define different categories of people who are living abroad. As an expat, a former military kid and wife, and a third culture kid, I understand the need to be defined in today’s world. So when citizenM hotels contacted me about a project on defining ‘what it means to be a ‘mobile citizen’ in today’s society, I was eager to weigh in on the subject. More and more people are leaving home, branching out of their social networks, and becoming what could clearly be defined as mobile citizens. What does that mean for you and could you be a mobile citizen?
I see myself as a global citizen more than I connect with one single nationality. As a third culture kid who was raised by American parents countries across Europe, I connect now as an adult to may different countries and cultures. It is what influenced my husband to join the military for our six years as a military family and what made us decide to become expats and move abroad to the UK. I have since birth been in a constant state of mobility moving every several months up to every three years. We have now only been in our current city of Bath in England for just over a year. To me being a mobile citizen means I can assimilate to new cultures and let that country impart a lasting aspect in my life to take when we move on.
Every global citizen’s story will be unique. Many of whom may seem themselves as the modern day traveller. People who may have a stability and a place to call ‘home’ but whose wanderlust lists and places to see is just as long. These are the global citizens who understand the importance of home and how to full experience a new culture and immerse themselves in a new location. The travelers who become locals upon leaving their hotel room. Who strike up conversations about where to eat, what to see, and things to do from the people the meet in their hotel lobby, at the shop around the corner, and with people they meet as they explore. These are the people who come back home and inspire those around them with their stories and photos from their travels. These global citizens could be you.
There is a camaraderie amongst all global citizens that share that love of culture, travel, adventure, wanderlust, and living amongst locals. I have traveled with both people who fit that category and those who try to force their home customs, cultures, and things they are used to into the host culture. It can be a very jarring and uncomfortable experience for all involved when you or those you are around are not ready to be open to new experiences. However when finding a stranger shares your love of travel and has been to the same places as you, in makes an instant connection as global citizens. That connection and the love of travel is what makes me proud to continue this journey through life.
I know that there are so many readers who love coming here to read about travel posts and will be eager as well to know more about the hotel line citizenM and how it benefits the modern day travelers amongst us. Their hotel line was made with the concept to create affordable luxury for us. The type of people who cross country lines and continents like others cross the street. No matter what label or box you fit in as a global citizen, that similar belief of seeking culture and experiencing something new that makes us all one.
* Bonnie Rose Photography © 2007 – 2014 All rights reserved | www.bonnie-rose.co.uk