Living abroad means I move every few years to a new country. Each of my homes has been different, each with their own unique aspects. My home in Korea has been the first place I’ve lived abroad that I didn’t choose. Some international schools provide housing and assign you to an apartment or house, while others give a housing stipend and you get to choose your own place.
In Jeju, I live in a townhouse near my school, about a 5-minute drive or 15-minute walk away. My house is two stories, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It’s cozy and small, but it’s enough room for me. I spend most of my time in the living room, surrounded by my plants and artwork I’ve collected while traveling. My kitchen is way too small for someone who loves to entertain, and it’s the thing I’d change the most if I could. I’d also love to build a deck in the backyard, but it’s really expensive to have one built ($4,000 USD for a deck that’s only 10 square meters!).
My bedroom has an en-suite with a small bathtub, which I enjoy soaking in when I’ve had a rough day or when my back’s giving me trouble. The theme of my bedroom is Moroccan, with a blue and white color palette, and I’ve decorated with photos I took on my trip to Morocco and the antique wedding blanket I bought.
The largest guest room’s theme is travel, specifically from my time in Myanmar, one of my favorite places I’ve ever visited. I’ve decorated the room with photos taken in Inle Lake and a few other pieces I bought while in Mandalay. My map duvet cover completes the travel theme.
I’ve started converting the smallest guest room into my “Zen room,” but I’m not quite done. I’d like for the room to be a place to meditate, exercise, and chill.
I didn’t really have room anywhere for my desk that I brought from Indonesia, but I love it and didn’t want to get rid of it. I eventually settled on housing it in the hallway upstairs, where I can get some natural light.
My home isn’t perfect, and there are things I’d change if I could, but I’ve done my best to make it a home. That’s one thing I’ve learned while living abroad. If you treat your house like a temporary place and don’t add your personal touches to it, you never quite feel settled.
What do you love about your home?
my heart is happiest when i travel. read. write. connect. 
Thank you for the tour of your lovely home. I feel like I just visited Korea!! I like how you shared the theme you used to decorate. I could learn from you. Thanks also for an idea of what I’ll write about, maybe tomorrow as I am running out of ideas after 26 days!! I do love much about my home.
Thanks Sally! I love posting about each home I live in…helps me remember each one over the years. Looking forward to your home slice.
Thank you for sharing. I’m so impressed that you move so often and love the way you embrace the moves and your housing to make it your own.
Thanks Jodi! Since moving abroad in 2010, I’ve lived in 5 countries and 8 homes.
Your living room is STUNNING and the architecture is lovely. I have a student who is teaching herself Korean, and she is becoming interested in Korea in general. I would love to share some of these images with her.
Thanks so much!! Feel free to share. 😊
Your place looks big to me! I am in a one bedroom apartment, but it is in a location I love! I love how thoughtfully you are putting together your home.
It’s all a matter of perspective. My last home was HUGE, so this one feels pretty small in comparison.
What a generous share! You have an interior decorator’s eye and touch. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your kind words!
So, I often finding myself staying up too late to watch International House Hunters. This was the best- a tour inside the Korean home of someone I feel as if I know! So thank you, I loved it. And thanks also for the wisdom of advising anyone to make each place into their own, no matter how short their stay.
Thanks Fran! Glad you enjoyed it. International House Hunters is a great show. 🙂
Thanks for the tour, I must say your home in Korea looks just right to me, especially with all the lovely touches you’ve added. I hope you get to stay there for a while. I remember the tour of your home in Indonesia from a previous year. I do love homes that are on two floors…especially when they’re not too large!
Our home in India has a giant rock in it, as my husband got tired of dynamiting rocks when he had to rebuild and he had a minimal area to build on! I may write a slice about it, thanks for the reminder!
Thanks…I’m glad you liked it.
A rock in your home? Now that’s a slice if I’ve ever heard one!
Such a treat to get a view of your home. The view out the window of your zen room is very special. My favorite thing about my home is the nature outside the windows. I love the sunrise and sunset through the trees and the occasional wild visitor.
Thanks Susan. I love nature views too. I hate when your view is someone else’s home.
Catching up on your slices, and I love this tour (in pics and words) of your beautiful space! The decor, the plants, the souvenirs- just perfection in making a temporary place a home.
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Thank you for sharing your beautiful home. I wonder if you brought your furniture with you to Jeju or furnished your place from there?
Thanks! It’s a bit of a mix. I brought some with me from Indonesia, but I bought stuff here in Jeju, too.