Two O'Clock on a Tuesday at Trevi Fountain

A Search for an Unconventional Life Abroad

By: Helene Sula

Narrated by: Helene Sula

What if you could choose a life of adventure without sacrificing the life you’ve already built?

In this inspiring memoir—the antidote to the “just quit your job and ditch all your belongings to backpack the world” mentality—a young woman explores how she took calculated risks to follow her dreams: traveling and living abroad without sacrificing stability and comfort.

Helene Sula always knew she wanted to pursue something a little different from a “normal life”—not an outright rejection of the conventional path many of her peers embraced but one that empowered her to experience other cultures and corners of the globe. To lead a stable life and travel the world. To seek adventure and still be happily married.

From skinny-dipping in the icy Baltic Sea and hiking Germany’s storied Black Forest, to wrestling with visa applications and apartment hunting in medieval Heidelberg, Helene shares the realities—both the magical and the everyday—that come with chasing bold dreams and learning that home is where you make it.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a mundane career or routine and want a fresh start without completely starting over, Helene’s story will prove that you don’t have to uproot your life to find meaning—just have the heart to take a leap.

©2024 Helene Sula (P)2024 Helene Sula

Critic reviews

"An inspiring yet relatable read for anyone ready to stop settling."—Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure

What a joy to read!!

This book was so beautifully written. It was Funny, entertaining and most importantly honest. I felt like I was walking through her life with her yet I never felt like there was too much detail. Highly recommended!

Heartfelt courage and determination

This is a beautifully written memoir that had me reflecting on my own move abroad experiences and how it shaped who I am now. I was teary eyed in the emotional parts of loss and separation from family and I had laugh out loud moments that expats endure when taking risks. It was lovely to hear the book read in Helene’s voice. She wrote with so much passion and detail that you could imagine being there. I hope that young girl in Paris remembers what you said! I would give anything for one more adventure with my dad but love that his time here connects me to home.

Happy Tears

Helene — I can’t explain how much your book resonated with me. It made me cry! I’ve never heard someone else describe how I feel about life as their own thoughts and feelings. Thank you for writing this. Thank you for putting all the time into creating this memoir and being brave enough to not only share your feelings but share your experience, the good and bad. It’s absolutely wonderful. I’m sad I waited so long to read it but grateful that I finally did.

Well written and energizing!

Must read for everyone that’s ever dared to dream! This is a story of making real dreams come true in a practical way.

Just do it!

Have you ever wanted to travel abroad? This book encourages you to just do it! I loved it!

Such a great book and performance

This was such a good book, encouraging to live life on your own terms and not just the way everyone else is living. Wish I could’ve read it 20 years ago, but it’s never too late to embrace our one precious life.

Living One's Dream

What a fun and enjoyable read! Helene's narration of her and Michael's journey to move overseas had me giggling and adding places to my "must see" travel list. Her candid sharing of their challenges and adventures was refreshing and relatable. A must read for anyone hoping to chase one's dream.

I'm Inspired!!

I just love this book, whether you follow Helene on social media and her blog or not, by the end of this book you'll feel like you have a new friend! She has shared so much about their dreams, and struggles in living abroad and getting her blog started. I feel so inspired to follow my dreams because it isn't a straight line to get there, and Helene is proof that the ups and downs of life are real, but holding on to your dreams through it all is worth it!

Fuels the fire to get out again

I have followed Helene's travel for many years now and I was so excited to order her book. She knows how to captivate you in her story. Encourages you to live out your own dream and inspired to go see the world at 10 out of 10 recommend this book.

Loved it !

I look forward to your future adventures. I’m imagining how crazy it was to read your bio about yourself and acknowledges at the end. Bravo !