Francina Kahl, Instagram influencer, coach, and world traveler, is sharing a candid look at the challenges of life overseas.
In a recent post on her account @bestilltea, Kahl opened up about her biggest struggle since moving to Korea after living in the U.S. for 28 years.
For Kahl, who owned two cars and a home in America, giving up the convenience of personal transportation has been a stark adjustment.
“Public transportation in Korea is really lovely… but we live a little out of Seoul, so you’ve got to be on a bus schedule,” Kahl said in her accompanying video.
She recounted a particularly cold day carrying groceries for her five children while waiting for a 20-minute Uber in the winter wind.
Despite the hardships, Kahl says the move is one she would make again without hesitation.
“It does not mean that I regret my choice. I would rather struggle out here in these streets in the cold with a bus and taking the subway than live the life I was living in the U.S., a thousand percent,” she said.
The influencer also shared her plans to overcome the transportation challenge. She is in the process of transferring her U.S. driver’s license to a Korean license so she can purchase a car and gain insurance, a move she says she is “speaking into existence.”
Kahl’s post offers a window into the real-life adjustments of expatriate life—showing that even for someone used to comfort and convenience, relocating internationally requires patience, flexibility, and resilience.
Her story resonates with many Americans who dream of moving abroad but may not fully grasp the day-to-day challenges, from navigating public transport to adjusting to new cultural norms—all while managing family life.
“Transportation is a thing, and I didn’t think I would struggle with it as much as I am,” Kahl admitted, acknowledging that life abroad can be as humbling as it is rewarding.
