Keeping a blog can seem a bit egotistical, but there are many excellent reasons to maintain a blog when traveling or living as an expatriate.
Writing a blog is one of the best way to update a large group of family, friends, and acquaintances about what you are doing and what you find interesting/odd/horrifying. This allows this large social group to check in, rather than requiring more time consuming direct contact.
Beware, close friends and family will still require personal contact!
The blogosphere can introduce you to people in similar situations and introduce your experience to fellow travelers/expats. You can share stories and find out tips and tricks for making life abroad feasible.
Readers may also connect with you through your blog, offering support, insight, and alternative views.
Some bloggers liken their blog to a digital scrapbook. It can contain videos, pictures, and stories. Looking back at entries from years ago can bring back great memories, and remind you of the good times, and the bad.
Blogs are a great way to document your experience for other travelers/expats. Your entries can help others find the best way to navigate the complicated situations that come up while abroad.
On BlogExpat, you can browse blogs from all over the world in many different languages. Expat Interviews spotlights some of these bloggers and answers questions like
You can also add your blog to the directory: http://www.blogexpat.com/en/add-blog.htm. Share your story!