In a few months I will have lived abroad for 6 years. 5 countries and 4 continents later, lets just say my perspective of myself and the world has drastically changed.

If you compared me in 2012 before my expat journey to me now going into my third year in Sydney, you will see a significant difference.

I believe, I have grown exponentially. I have experienced success, failure and some mediocrity or unwanted complacency of ambitions yet to be fulfilled. Through all of this, I have developed grit with a much nuanced view of the world. I am not saying I had a naive or narrow-minded view of the world before, but my view of world naturally changed after getting the chance to actually seeing it.

Like most expats, you inevitably change. Main change is how you see yourself or your self-identity.

Lupe Fiasco rhymed in his song “Gold Watch“:

I am American mentally/with Japanese tendencies/Parisian sensibilities…

That got me to thinking. How would I describe myself? Well, I came up with the below.

I am African-american mentally with British tendencies and slight Swedish sensibilities.

Not as smooth as Lupe, but I will run with it for now.

My wife Sanna refuses to allow any Norwegian influence on me as she sees that as some form of corruption. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen how much of the Aussie experience will leave a mark on me.

I am an intelligent black man (“Mr. IBM” as my mother would call me growing up and still does to this day) and that will forever be at the base of my identity and I take pride in that. Beyond that foundation is my complicated identity as an American.

Being an American of African decent, my relationship with the United States is not simple by any means. As far as I can tell, I am the fifth generation of freed slaves and along with my sister, we are the first beyond our parents to live in a “post segregation” America. Yet, America is not “post racial”. Not by a long shot. Furthermore, America has taken a Trumpian turn for the worse as American society.

I can go on but for the sake of brevity, let’s just leave it at the fact that my relationship with America has a lot to unpack.

Swiftly moving on.

I’ve had the opportunity to live in the United Kingdom for three years. During those three years, I have garnered some forms of Britishness.

Where do I start? I appreciate quirky and dry British humor and wit. Nothing like going for a pint after work (especially on Fridays). I slightly cringe when I do see a proper queue to get on a bus or train. I have said it before, but I do love a good Chippy (fish and chips shop), kebab, curry, and fry up (full English breakfast). In addition, I have become a slight tea snob (Twinings for the win).

I have lived longer in Sydney than in London. Yet, I still see myself as Londoner to this day but not a Sydneysider at this point in time. Let that marinate for a second.

I have lived with Sanna for almost five years now. Additionally, I have visited Sweden and my in-laws on numerous occasions. Because of that, I have and continue to be under the heavy influence of Swedish (and general Scandinavian) culture and thinking. You can’t help but learn a thing or two from the Nordics.

America is the most individualistic nation in the world. That is a double-edged sword that cuts deep into the prevalent successes and failures of the American “Way” or “Exceptionalism”.

Meanwhile, Sweden is more collective as a society. Some people will call them the dreaded word socialist. However, because of this collective or socialist thinking, they are some of the best countries to live in. Maternity (and paternity) leave, universal healthcare, free education (even at the university level) and a very progressive environmental policy. That is just some of the good stuff Sweden is doing and their policies have influenced my political thinking a lot more than the Brits.

Don’t get me wrong, Sweden is not a perfect place. Check out the issues of immigration, integration and xenophobia/racism. But like an à la carte menu, I pick and choose political ideas that seems to make logical sense that is best for humanity from the places I have lived or at least observed.

Wow. I didn’t expect to go that deep into political and societal commentary. Sorry for going down the rabbit hole on that one.

Back to Sweden. I love the Swedish food. They make good bread. Their crisp bread (knäckebröd in Swedish) is diverse as pasta is in Italy. Plus, they take pride in making quality food products due to their high food standards (I am looking at you US Food and Drug Administration). Because of the dark winters, Swedes love having candles throughout the house. I look up from my computer screen now and see two big candles within view. And Sweden and Scandinavia for that matter has some of the most beautiful slices of nature from the mountains to the coast and islands a person can see.

I can go on but I want to go another point. After living abroad, my bias to products and brands has changed. I was predominantly American in this area. However, my personal list of favorite products has expanded and diversified.

I write this because, naturally the brands you are loyal to also speaks of your identity.

Going back the song “Gold Watch” by Lupe, he says:

I like Diptyque candles and Maharishi sandals and
Dita sunglasses, Purple Murder Service samples
I like False T-shirts Dover Street is off the handle
Such a good designer, Junya Watanabe, god damn you
I like Yohji Yamamoto and a Max Roach solo
Leather Gucci belts and Guilty Brotherhood polos
I like Montblanc pens and Moleskine paper
I like Goyard bags and green Now and Laters
Monocle magazine and Japanese manga
Futura Nosferatus and HTM trainers
I love Street Fighter 2, I just really hate Zangief
Only Ken and Ryu, I find it hard to beat Blanka
Keep a Wee Ninja hanging and an UNKLE album banging..

Don’t get it twisted, I am not over materialistic. At least I don’t think I am. Actually, living abroad and moving around quite a bit has forced to me stay lean with items and only travel with the essentials. So I want to make that clear.

I do have a list of prized possessions or brands/products I trust and are go to items. I love a good Moleskine note with a quality pen. I have a Barbour bag and Fjällräven backpack plus a Samsonite weekend bag that swear by. I am still a PlayStation gamer and represent team Nike/Jordan.

I can’t go wrong with Clark shoes, or Dressmann underwear. Yes, I have become particular about my under garments. M&S cashmere jumpers (or sweaters as we call them back home in the US) and Mason Cash or Le Cruset kitchenware comes to mind as quality products I always go for if possible.

I am not name dropping to show off. More times than not, I am okay with a cheaper brand/product as longs as it actually does the job intended. But, there are just some things I just can’t go without.

Good or bad, based on what I mentioned above, you have formed an initial or modified an existing view of me. Yet, that’s the point. Fair or not, what I consume is an important part of my identity.

Let’s just say as cliche as it sounds, I have grown. Yes, I would have grown if I have stayed in the US and only have traveled abroad from time to time. On the contrary I think a 32 year old Michael who did’t leave for Europe almost six years ago would look very very different to the Michael you see now.

I foresee at least another 5 years or so outside the United States and this is definitely by choice. I do miss the day-to-day opportunities to spend time with my friends and family. But I don’t miss living in America and everything with comes with it. As of now, I am content with going home a couple times a year but quickly head back out when I am tired of the craziness that is Planet America*.

* I give credit of that name to the amazing US political commentary show here in Australia.