Having the opportunity to move abroad, especially when you’re young, is incredibly exciting. It’s a chance to explore more of the world, step out of your comfort zone, and truly immerse yourself in new cultures and experiences.
For some, it’s a chance to start over, and for others, it’s a chance to expand on the life they’re already building. Whilst moving abroad is generally a wholeheartedly positive experience, it does have its ups and downs.
I first moved abroad alone at 19, from Scotland to a town in the southwest of France, spending around seven months teaching English to high school kids. Looking back now, I have nothing but positive memories. Living abroad in my twenties taught me independence, grew my confidence exponentially, and changed the trajectory of my life.
However, there are a few things I wish I’d known before moving abroad in my twenties. I was so young, with relatively little life experience, and it was difficult to predict what it would be like to live abroad. Now I’m 24, and with three stints of life abroad under my belt, I’m here to be your resident expert on things to know before moving to a different country.
Here are 10 things I wish I knew before moving to another country in my twenties. Some of them are positive, and some of them are realistic truths about the ups and downs of living abroad. If you’re thinking of moving to another country, please don’t let these put you off! Instead, use them to be more prepared for your incredible experience and make the most of it.
It’s Okay to Be Nervous and Scared
Moving abroad in your twenties is a huge deal, don’t let anyone tell you it’s not. Even if you feel excited about the opportunity and know that it’s the right choice, nerves, anticipation, and fear will undoubtedly creep up on you.
With such a big life change, feeling scared and nervous about moving abroad is completely normal. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go, and it doesn’t mean you won’t have an incredible time. Embrace the feelings, and let them remind you that you’re taking a huge step and doing something important and exciting.
Getting Homesick is Normal
Chances are you’ll feel homesick many times during your time living abroad, especially when you’re young and used to being around family. Homesickness comes in waves, at random moments, and sometimes even when you think you’re really enjoying yourself.
Just like the feeling of anticipation before you move abroad, feeling homesick is completely normal. Although it might make you feel like you want to jump on the first flight home to hug your parents, the wave will pass and you’ll feel better again.
Make sure you keep in touch with your family and don’t try to fight the feeling of homesickness, but if calling or face timing them is quite upsetting, I actually recommend cutting back the contact a little. I struggled a lot with homesickness when I first moved abroad alone, and I found it much better to just text with my family and call them occasionally while I adjusted.
If you’re struggling with homesickness, check out these 6 tips for dealing with homesickness as an expat!
You’ll Crave Home Comforts (Especially Food)
Even if you move somewhere with the most incredible cuisine and delicious food, you’ll crave comforts and reminders of home. This can be partly due to homesickness, but it’s also just about familiarity and the things you are used to.
You’ll need to strike a balance between familiar things and new experiences, as spending your whole time living abroad eating and living as if you were still at home is probably one of the worst things you can do! Find a supermarket that stocks your home country’s food and keep it handy for when you get a craving or need a little reminder of home.
The First Few Days Will Probably Suck
I arrived at night when I first moved abroad, and the first things I did when I woke up the next morning were to look at flights home, text my dad that I wasn’t sure if I could do this, and cry. Flash forward a week, and you’d never have guessed it!
The travel day is exhausting. You’re then thrown into a new city or town, a new place to live, and a completely new environment. It’s absolutely no surprise that you’ll feel overwhelmed in the first few days. Remember to stay hydrated and fed, remind yourself that you can do this, and I promise, you’ll settle in before you know it.
Moving Abroad Isn’t That Scary
The planning process of moving abroad brings so much buildup and anticipation. There’s a mountain of things to organise and so much to think about, and it can feel like the most terrifying thing in the world. Don’t get me wrong, moving abroad in your twenties is a HUGE deal. I’ve already talked about the feelings and emotions, how you’ll feel overwhelmed, and how all of it is normal.
However, realistically, moving abroad isn’t that scary. Once you get through all the planning, packing, and travelling, you’ll arrive and settle in, and then life just goes on. Millions of people have moved abroad before you, and millions more will do it after. Be proud of the huge step you’ve taken but try not to let it be anything but positive.
Being Shy Will Get You Nowhere
If I had to consider one thing I regret about my first time living abroad, it’s that I missed out on a lot by being too shy. When you move abroad on your own, no one is going to force you to socialise, go out and experience the culture of your new country, or try new things.
There are so many clubs and activities to try and so many friends to make, even if it doesn’t seem like it. I know it can be hard, especially in an unfamiliar place, but if you really make the effort to put yourself out there and be confident, you’ll make so many memories that will only enrich your experience living abroad.
Immersive Language Opportunities are Rare
If you move somewhere where you don’t speak the language, learn it! Start language classes, find friends to practice conversation classes with, and go on dates with locals! As someone who has studied languages – on Duolingo, at university, and immersively – there is truly no better opportunity to learn a language than through immersion.
This is especially important if you’re already trying to learn the language of the country you are moving to. When I look back on two of my three experiences living abroad, I can’t help but feel I squandered an amazing opportunity to advance my language skills by not throwing myself in and taking full advantage. Trust me, learn the language.
Take Pictures and Videos of Everything
Most of the time, moving abroad in your twenties doesn’t last forever. My three experiences living abroad have been for 7 months, 6 months, and 10 months respectively. However, the experiences you’ll have and the memories you’ll make will stay with you forever.
After a while, you’ll start to forget the little moments of your life abroad. That’s where photos and videos come in handy. Take shots of everything, and then never delete them. I crave so many forgotten memories because I deleted some random photos when trying to free up storage on my phone.
Life Keeps Moving at Home
This is a bit of a sad truth about moving abroad – life doesn’t stand still while you’re living abroad, waiting for you to return home. Everyone else carries on with their lives. Especially for students, it’s hard to come back and realised you’ve missed out on all these memories, even if you’ve made once-in-a-lifetime memories of your own.
Many people change a lot as a person when they live abroad, and this means that you might also outgrow some friendships and relationships back home.
Truthfully, some of my friendships have never been the same since moving abroad. And even more truthfully, I’d never change the choice to live abroad because of this. The right people will always be there for you, and missing out on a few things back home doesn’t outweigh the opportunity to live in a different country and how much you’ll gain from that.
You’ll Learn to Love Being Alone
Much like solo travel, moving abroad alone in your twenties gives you a big opportunity to learn about yourself. Being alone is different to being lonely, so even while you’re spending time with new friends and catching up with family back home, you’re navigating life independently, and that makes a huge difference to your confidence and abilities.
One of the benefits about living abroad is that you’re almost guaranteed to discover a new side to yourself, one that is comfortable being alone, can solve issues independently, and can overcome much more than they think they can.
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