Arabella Carrie Adolfsson enjoys fishing and photography during summers at her lake home in Sweden. She and her husband, Stefan, moved to Torpon Island in 2022, seeking a serene lifestyle. Despite the beauty and peace, she faces challenges adjusting to rural living, including a lack of community and harsh winters.
Having previously lived in Sweden, Adolfsson felt the remote location heightened her culture shock, making socializing difficult. The absence of her large family back in San Diego has been especially tough. While she appreciates the lower cost of living and the lack of stress in Sweden, she misses the convenience and food culture of the U.S., particularly Mexican cuisine.
Communication barriers with her limited Swedish also complicate her integration, leading to a sense of cultural difference. Despite these challenges, she values her newfound creativity through travel and writing. Looking back, she wishes she had better understood the adaptation process. She advises others contemplating similar moves to ensure a connection to their new home and be patient with the transition, acknowledging both its loneliness and the rich memories it can create.
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