Anyone who has traveled the world and became enamored by the mountain cities of South America or the gentle allure of Japan has considered packing their bags and starting their life all over again in another part of the world. For most, this is merely a dream, something that they wish they could do, but are never serious about it. However, there is a minority who will do everything they can to follow through with it. Starting your life all over in another country is never easy, though, so here are six things you need to know before moving abroad.
Find Somewhere to Live
While hostels and hotels are a useful way to get a roof over your head when you’re traveling, they are not ideal for anyone hoping for a permanent residence. This is why finding a proper place to live will make your transition much more comfortable. You should check out the local real estate in person, and you can also research the safest and coolest neighborhoods so you can narrow down which areas appeal to you. You’ll need to stay in a hotel or hostel when you first arrive but try to get out as soon as you can.
How Will You Make Money?
It’s easy to feel like you’re on holiday when you move abroad for the first time. You’re excited to soak up the culture and see all the sights that you’ve been dreaming about. But, if you don’t have a means of income, the money will run out eventually, and the government will want to see you’re earning money so you can contribute to the economy. Luckily. It’s easier than ever to run a business from overseas, while many countries offer TEFL positions that will include working visas and more. Your company might offer you a position in another country, too, which should also make things easier.
Do You Have Any Contacts?
Moving to another country without any contacts will make things one hundred times harder. You might not think you need anyone to guide you or spend time with, but eventually, the isolation will get to you. This is why it’s important to have someone to speak to when you move away, whether this is a friend or someone you’ve met through online communities.
Learn The Language
Likewise, it’s also important to learn the language if you’re moving to a country where English is not the primary language. Often, people will move to countries that speak languages they are familiar with, such as German, French, or Spanish like they learned at school. This isn’t always the case, though, so you will need to make an effort to learn Chinese, Japanese, Thai, or even the South American Spanish dialect that is slightly different from European Spanish. Not only will this make your life easier, but it will also endear you to anyone you encounter as it shows you’re trying.
Explore, But Stay Smart
As tempting as it is to explore your new home, you should also remember to stay smart. People who don’t look like they know where they are going can stick out like a sore thumb, and this can make you an easy target for scams or even theft, whether violent or not. Of course, you don’t want to hide away in your apartment forever, but you should also be clever about where you go, especially when you’re alone until you get to grips with the area and learn which places are safer than others.
Homesickness Happens, What Can You Do About It?
Ay first, you’re convinced you made the right decision to move abroad. You will get swept up in the excitement of this new home. But this won’t last forever. Typically, you’ll start to miss home after around five or six weeks as the reality sets in and you see your friends and family getting on with their lives without you. Homesickness will set in, and it will be tough, but there are many different ways you can overcome homesickness. So, consider which will work best for you and work to overcome these feelings, rather than succumbing to them and looking at the next flight home.
A New Life
Starting a new life is, in a word, terrifying. But it also comes with romanticised dreams of living life the way you want. This is often enough to push you to fulfil your desire to live somewhere else, but it’s not something you can do on a whim. You need to have a plan if you want to make it a success, so think carefully about your move before doing anything else.
