We all hear exciting travel stories and expat adventures from people who have braved the scary process of relocating to a foreign country. Maybe you’re somebody who follows an online blog of a current expat who shares their experience moving abroad.
If you’ve recently decided to move to another country, you might be wondering what the process looks like or what it actually involves. Relocating to a completely different country is a huge decision and it’s not one that should ever be taken lightly.
Regardless of how adventurous you are as a person, nothing can quite prepare you for becoming an expat. Every country across the world is so unique and has its own thriving culture. No amount of research can truly prepare you for uprooting your life and starting afresh in a foreign place.
Keeping your mind open is important when you’re moving abroad. You need to be brave, adventurous, and resilient. And the reality is that not everybody is able to adapt to a new life away from everything that they know in their hometown.
So, with all of that being said, it’s time to decide whether or not moving abroad is for you.
Should You Relocate and Live Abroad?
Here are some important questions to ask yourself when you’re not sure whether to stay at home or try living the expat life.
- Why Do You Want To Move Abroad?
The first question that you should ask yourself when you’re considering a move abroad is ‘why?’.
Your ‘why’ should be the driving force behind the decision. It’s what will motivate you to follow through with your plans when you’re in the middle of sorting everything out.
Moving to a new country is tough, physically and emotionally. When you have identified your ‘why’ and you can keep it in your mind at all times, you’re more likely to embrace the situation head-on.
There are many reasons why you might want to become an expat and move abroad. Maybe you want to explore another part of the world, embrace a new culture, or find new job opportunities that aren’t available in your home country.
- Are There Any Reasons Why You Might Not Want To Move Abroad?
Moving to another country is exciting but it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There’s a lot of planning involved, and you need to prepare yourself physically and mentally.
Relocating can be expensive too, especially if you have a lot of belongings to transfer to your new home. You might need to save up for a few months before you can relocate.
Of course, you also need to find accommodation in your desired country in the area that you think suits you the most. For this, you need to do plenty of in-depth research.
When you move to another country, you will have to get travel insurance and health insurance. You will need to Compare Global Medical Insurance before you move.
Considering all of the above, it’s clear to see that there are a few downsides to moving aboard. Spend some time considering the pros and cons to determine whether there is more of the former or latter for you.
- Are You Happy Moving Away From Your Friends And Family?
Moving away from your loved ones can be hard. If you’re thinking of becoming an expat and setting up a new life miles away from your family and friends, you need to seriously consider the decision.
Think about how often you currently see your loved ones and consider how you’d feel if you could only see them once every few months. Your answer might surprise you!
If you’re a confident person and have no trouble making friends, you might thrive in another country. If you can easily adapt to new and unfamiliar situations, living away could be exactly what you need to challenge yourself.
On the other hand, if you’re a home bird and you enjoy catching up with your loved ones every few days, the expat life might not be right for you.
- Could You Live In A Country Where You Aren’t Fluent In The Language?
Depending on where you’re moving to, your desired expat country might speak the same language as your native country. However, if you plan on moving to a country that has a different native language, consider whether this is something that you’d be comfortable with.
You’ll need to put in the work to learn the new language before you move and during the first few months. It could take several months or even years to become semi-fluent in the language.
If you speak fluent English, you might find that the locals have a great level of understanding. However, it’s important to make an effort and put in the work to integrate into the new country by embracing the native language.
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