How to Make Life Abroad Easier: Is it Harder than You Think?

Are you considering moving abroad but feeling a little anxious about what the experience might be like? You’re not alone! Lots of people are interested in living in a new country, but they’re not sure if it will be as great as they hope.

It is often easy to romanticize the idea of living abroad, but it can be a challenge. It’s definitely not easy, but it can be easier!

In this post, I’ll share some tips on how to make life abroad easier and show you that life abroad is actually not as hard as you might think.

Is living abroad worth it?

Living abroad is no doubt worth the experience. It still depends on where you’re from & what kind of life you will have after moving abroad. 

If you have a strong support system (friends and family), it will be much easier to live in a foreign country. If not, then make sure that the process of moving & living in a new country is well planned out before taking the plunge.

I moved from the Philippines to Sweden, so everything else is so much better! And, I can say that living abroad in Sweden is worth it.

Moving to Sweden is so far the most challenging move, but that’s because of the bureaucracy in my home country where Filipinos who got a job abroad would need to undergo the most daunting process.

So, when you want to live abroad, it’s up to you how you will define if it’s worth it or not. Are you going to move with a family member? Will you be studying abroad?

Either way, it’s completely normal to question if moving to another country is worth it. You can read more here about the advantages of living abroad!

Should I live in the city?

When contemplating a move to a foreign country, one of the most important questions you must ask yourself is whether or not living in the city will make your life easier. City life offers many advantages: job opportunities, culture, and entertainment, easier to find new friends and access to public transportation are just a few of them.

However, if you’re not sure whether or not moving to a city is the right decision for you, do some research on your chosen destination. Talk to people who have already made the move, and find out what they think about life in the city.

When I moved abroad to Sweden, I chose an apartment that was near the city so it was easier for me to explore and enjoy the new life abroad. I found it easier to go back to my comfort zone faster after exploring my new city!

Of course, you should also take into consideration the grocery store if it’s close to your new home too.

Take a lot of time to prepare

There are so many things to do in order to make life easier while living abroad. If you are anything like me, then you probably want to take some time to research and prepare before making the big move.

There are a lot of things to take into account. If you’re not prepared, it can be really tough trying to get by in a foreign country where everything is unfamiliar. But if you take the time to do your research and plan ahead, life can be much easier. Here are just a few tips on how to get ready for your big move abroad. 

The first step is to learn about the culture and customs of your new home. This includes things like the local language, social etiquette, and the way people do business. It’s also important to learn about the local politics and economy so that you’ll have a better understanding of how things work in your new country. 

The next thing you need to consider is the legalities. Many countries in Europe would require a residence permit if you are staying for more than 1 year.

Be open-minded & culturally flexible

It’s always been said that the best way to learn is to travel. And, while this may be true, there are a few other things that make life abroad easier: being open-minded and culturally flexible.

When you’re able to take on new experiences and see things from another person’s perspective, adaptation comes easy.

So, if you’re gearing up for your next adventure abroad, or have already embarked on one, keep an open mind and prepare to be pleasantly surprised! 

Be emotionally self-sufficient

A lot of people think it’s a good idea to move abroad without being emotionally self-sufficient. They think that they will find themselves when they get there and that the change is worth it all. But, in most cases, these people end up regretting their decision and moving back home because they couldn’t handle the new environment on their own.

If you really want to move abroad, make sure you are emotionally self-sufficient before doing so!

It’s important to work through these emotions before leaving and your destination can help facilitate this process.

Take it slow

Even though there’s a lot to see and experience abroad, it’s important not to try and do it all at once. Settling in and finding your bearings can take time, so take things slow in the beginning. This will help make the transition smoother and ensure that you get the most out of your experience living overseas (or your expat journey!).

Here are a few tips for making the most of your first few months living abroad: 

• Give yourself plenty of time to adjust – don’t try to do too much in the beginning. It may take a while to get used to your new city and culture, so be patient. 
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help – if you’re struggling with anything, do not be afraid to ask for help from friends, family, and the locals. This is a great way to learn more about your new home and also meet people.
• Create a productive morning routine. Take a walk. Spend time to yourself.
• Start getting your life together.

Connect with like-minded people

Moving to a new country is challenging already. It is important to find resources that will help you adjust and feel at home in your new city. One way to do this is by connecting with like-minded people in the community.

When you’re new to a country, it can be hard to get the hang of things. It’s easy to get homesick and feel lonely in your new surroundings even when surrounded by people from all over the world. This is why it’s important for newcomers not only to try their best in order to integrate with locals and make themselves at home but also to find like-minded expats who speak their native language and share similar interests.

Talk to locals or other expats

When you’re living in a foreign country, it’s easy to feel like you may be missing out on some of the culture and traditions. One way to make sense of your surroundings is by talking to locals or other expats who live there. When you live in a big city, it’s easier to meet many expats.

They can share what they know about their culture and answer any questions you might have. Talking with people from different backgrounds will help you learn more about the place that has become your homestead and make life a little easier in the process.

expat.com or Facebook groups are a good start for finding other expats in your new place!

Learn how to deal with culture shocks

You’re probably anticipating all of the amazing things that are going to happen, but you may not be as prepared for the culture shocks you’ll experience along the way. By learning how to deal with them, you can make your life abroad a lot easier.

When you got the opportunity to work abroad or live abroad, you get a chance to learn about a new culture, meet new people, and experience something different. But, before you can do any of that, you have to adjust to your new surroundings. And for most people, that’s not always easy. You’ll likely experience culture shocks – those moments when everything is different and it feels like the rug has been pulled out from under you.

Relax – you don’t need to figure everything out

It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers because you’ll learn as you go. The most important thing is to make sure your first months are safe and enjoyable so you can settle in. If anything needs to change, then adjust accordingly later on down the line. Remember that every country has its own quirks too- these are things that are specific only to one place or region, which might seem strange at first but eventually become normal after a few months of acclimating yourself to these new surroundings. 

It’s not going to be easy or perfect all the time, and that’s okay! You can take your time figuring out how things work in a new country so long as you’re enjoying yourself along the way. That might mean taking some extra precautions at first like learning about different cultural norms.

If it means making an easier transition into life abroad while still being able to enjoy your experience without feeling overwhelmed by small tasks, then why not? We want everyone who decides they need help adjusting overseas to get there faster than ever before – no matter where they are.