I moved from the US to Australia 6 years ago. I love my life abroad, but still feel guilty every day.

In 2020, I unwittingly moved to Australia on what was supposed to be a temporary trip lasting a few months.

Instead of studying abroad for a semester and heading back to the Philly suburbs with some stories and a tan, I stayed for another six years.

Now, I’m a permanent resident eligible for citizenship. My life here is complete with Aussie friends, hobbies, beautiful weather, and Australianisms that no longer feel foreign to me.

I’ve built a life here, but it’s at the expense of the one I used to have. Somewhere between my “morning cuppa” and my “arvo” lunch, despite the beautiful sunny day and the background noise of familiar magpie squawks…