People move overseas for many reasons. Some people do it to advance their career or get an education. Others move to be with families or partners. For others, moving overseas is solely a chance to experience something new and enrich one’s life.
While there are numerous benefits to moving overseas, being an expatriate also comes with challenges. Only by overcoming these challenges can you fulfill your dream of living overseas. Here are some of the biggest challenges to consider and how you can overcome them.
Legal requirements
Before you can move to another country, you must make sure that you are legally permitted to enter. A work visa may be required if you’re traveling anywhere with the intention of working. If you plan to seek permanent residency, you must apply for citizenship. There are legal advisors who can help you with your visa application from H1B to green card. By seeking professional help, you can make sure that you have all the documentation you need.
Culture change
Living in a new country will require you to adapt to a new culture. It’s a good idea to perform some research beforehand so it does not create too much ‘culture shock’. Understanding the laws and customs of your chosen country is also important for staying out of trouble. You can research this online by reading guides written by other expats.
language barrier
Learning a new language may be necessary when making a decision to live in a particular country. English may be universally spoken, but many people are unlikely to be fluent. Learning a new language is not easy – only by living in a country where it’s spoken will you become proficient. That said, it is a good idea to take a few lessons beforehand so you know the basics.
Financial costs and benefits
The cost of living tends to be different in other countries. First, you should consider how much you are likely to earn and how much you’ll be taxed on. Some countries have high wages combined with low taxes, allowing you to bring home quite a lot of money every month. In addition, you’ll need to calculate the average cost of monthly expenses such as accommodation, energy, food and transportation. You do not want to earn more, but also spend more. Do your research so you can future budget.
Distance from family and friends
One of the toughest things to overcome is being away from family and friends. These days, it is much easier to stay in touch with loved ones while living overseas thanks to social media and video messaging. However, you may still miss being physically together and may want to consider the price of flights so you can still visit regularly. Making new friends will be very important and you may want to find some of your previous friends online. There are also sites where you can meet fellow expats.
