McGaha started plotting her move abroad as soon as she turned 18. "Travel started as a coping mechanism for me to stay excited about life and heal after surviving such a horrific experience and losing my dad," McGaha says. One of her friends suggested she look at teaching jobs in Budapest, Hungary, noting the teacher shortage there and the short visa processing timeline. Her teaching contract included a furnished one-bedroom apartment in Budapest, with a monthly stipend to help cover rent and utilities. Photo: Bence BamerSince moving to Budapest — and losing her teaching job — McGaha has had to apply for several different visas.

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