List of things that no one tells me about dating a foreigner

I’m not going to lie, Dating foreigner is not easy it was incredibly hard, not knowing what the future held for the both of us.  But I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I am so deeply in love and we can survive all the obstacles that may come.  

Growing up, I have never imagined dating someone who is foreign from my country.  I mean I don’t want the man of my dreams to live a thousand miles away from home. I don’t know if I can survive the long distance, But my destiny leads me this way.

Before I met my boyfriend, I was heartbroken, lonely, and there is no way I am searching for love at that moment. I was focusing on my career, my business and I was still planning to travel the world solo that time since I had just gotten out of a from a toxic relationship.

Surprisingly God has a new plan for me,  It was one evening that my life has to change forever. I met this brown hair, hazel eye man in the middle of fast food restaurant, where both of us eating dinner in a separate table. He kept making eye contact with me, occasionally smiling, innocent and handsome face. He really caught my attention, I was shocked when he asked to join with me in my table. We talked, share thoughts and interesting idea that night.

I would say that I was falling pretty hard and I knew it was love at first sight. That night was a long night and we even spent more and more time together after that day,  eventually, we became inseparable. At first, I didn’t assume and romanticized all the things happening at that moment and I don’t want to get hurt again. He still a stranger and I needs to protect my heart and myself.  Things seemed to move so fast between us, It is like blinked of an eye.

Here is the List of things that no one tells me about dating foreigner

Having a Genuine Commitment

I didn’t know what we would do about being in long distance relationship. We try to make things work After Enzo went back to Sweden, We spent many nights talking into skype, Messenger, and WhatsApp. After a couple of months being separated, I finally followed him in his country, get to know him better, met his family, spent special occasions and holidays together. When my visa come to an end, Enzo followed me here and  I followed him back too. 

Language difference can cause misunderstandings 

Even both of us can speak the same language, We still have misunderstandings or arguments. My boyfriend speaks Swedish and he is fluent in speaking English,  I am from The Philippines and our language is English and Tagalog.  Even we can communicate properly thru speaking English,  we still have miscommunication and trouble sometimes. There are words that are used differently, phrases that may be appropriate in one culture, it’s so frustrating when you can’t express all the words and feelings. When I was invited to the family event, everybody talking Swedish and I can’t understand all the topic they have when there’s laughing involved. Sometimes I assume if Are they laughing at me?

More Patience

There are so many obstacles in our way.  How could we ever make this relationship work? Dating foreigner is a lot of patience not only with language problems that I have to both listen and pay attention more, time difference, and all the other differences we both have. We really need to have a lot of patience to make it work.

The needs to adopt the culture

Dating foreigner widens up our mind and experiences. When I went to my boyfriends country I adjusted in so many ways,  food, climate, the fashion, and so much more so that our relationship will work. Swedish people are health conscious people, because of Enzo I eat healthy food like it’s not really our cultural thing. I remember the first time I tried to eat Raw vegetable salad Holy cow I cried like a baby I was in food shock. Going around I should make effort to dress and make my self really presentable and looks good, so I can relate in their society.

Related Article: HOW MY LIFE HAS CHANGED SINCE I CAME TO SWEDEN.

Ideas of romance quite challenging

I grow up where women are more conservatives, We wait for the guy to make moves and do all stuff for us like planning for the date, spend vacation and etc. But when I started dating with Enzo, I need to make plans for us too. Enzo is a type of man who is not into watching cinema, giving a dozen of flower, eating in a fancy restaurant, but he’s a type of man who likes adventurous date. We have a difference when expressing our love for each other, I like to do things for him, cook food, cleaning or saying I love you occasionally.

Related Article: 25 UNIQUE AND ADVENTUROUS DATE IDEAS FOR COUPLES

 Hearing people criticizing your relationship

There are so many ups and downs we have been through as a couple, I know every relationship everyone goes through this kind of struggles. It didn’t matter if we were worlds apart. We have the love and trust for each other.