Travel Mocha – Travel

Should I Move to Another Country? 3 years ago, I decided to do what is considered a bold move by many - I moved abroad. Not everyone has opportunities to live a new life in a new city, but if this is an option, it is an experience you won't forget or regret. The itch to travel or start a new life in a foreign country, can be characterized by a few symptoms. And taking these symptoms to its logical conclusion usually means, regret if you don't move abroad. So to answer the question simply if you should move to another country: Moving abroad is about curiosity that is better met fulfilled. Life is a series of adventures, where denying a life abroad reinforces the character of a person who prefers regret over an adventure of their lifetime. Symptoms that You Should be Living Abroad You want to learn a new language I took a few classes of Spanish which ended up in me not knowing how to speak it. How long it takes to learn Spanish can be shortened by actually being immersed with it as a local language. What can take years to learn, can happen in a matter of months. After taking a 2 month language abroad immersion in Medellin, Colombia, native speakers would start to consider me fluent. Of course, I still prefer to speak English as there is still a small language barrier. But I can get by without a translator application with almost all situations. If you're wanting to learn a different language, living abroad is the most efficient and the most fun way to learn it. You may even end up forgetting which your native language is at a certain point. Improving your career prospects When you are living abroad, not only is the language is new but so are the opportunities. Being aware of this can actually improve your career prospects. The competition may be less in a foreign country for certain jobs or businesses. Especially if they require you to speak English as a native language. You may find something new that allows your talents to shine through more than they would back home. Learning new skills will give you more confidence in your job hunt. You have a desire to travel more When you see more of the world, you can experience being a local and a new culture. You are still part of the traveler's community but you are also experiencing life as a local. This will make it easier to travel to other countries afterwards because you understand what is going on. Living abroad is the perfect way to give more value to your vacations and trips later in life. The experiences and memories can be forever if you live abroad first. You want to challenge yourself and grow as a person Everyone's biggest fear is the unknown. As humans we love our comfort zone, but this usually limits us from growing too much. There are lessons that can be learned when you live abroad. New friendships, new challenges, different routines, different lifestyles. These are all ways of pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. You realize you want to live in a new country One day, you probably will make the decision to move and/or travel abroad and that's completely fine. You don't have to decide before hand if you should or shouldn't do it. It just happens one day and then its a reality. I've noticed that my friends are always thinking about the future, whether it's in 6 months or in 20 years. And when you want to live abroad, one day you will do it. But as the adage goes, one day never happens. Itching for another country is a symptom of something bigger happening in your life. A need to change or a desire for something more. It can be delayed but not ignored. That kind of itch is the cringeworthy symptoms of wanderlust, so scratch it by doing what you want now and not prolonging it. You want to make new friends Going abroad and making friends is easier than you think. Every culture has something to offer and you can find friends who accept who you are and where you come from. You make friends abroad easily when your mind isn't on numbers but rather on conversation. I've met friends in my travels where I've been able to discuss deeper topics that you wouldn't discuss if you weren't a nomad. Travel just gives people a different perspective. Bonds form more strongly when you realize it's a lonely planet. 5 Great Reasons to Move Abroad Everything becomes new again Novelty is now largely defined by our social media feed. By living in abroad, novelty becomes all encompassing. It's a fresh start where you can meet a best friend, find a new job, enjoy foods, and stay in unique houses. Because it's in a foreign country, these normalized endeavors are made new. Enjoy local holidays Being in another country, you get to experience the holidays in their own way. There is excitement when everyone else around you is excited too. You can always find local festivals or events that are unique to the culture of the people that are there. You will never forget the day you travel abroad for the first time It is something that can't be forgotten. It's one of those things where you have to experience it for yourself to understand how amazing it really is. You'll feel like a kid again, experiencing everything as if it were your first time. It might inspire you to travel more As I mentioned earlier, when you live abroad, other countries feel like the possibilities are endless. Living in another country is an opportunity for your mind to open up to new cultures and possibilities that you wouldn't normally think about if you weren't in that country. You will meet unique people Being around unique people helps you to grow as a person. You have the opportunity to know more about different cultures, religions, lifestyles, beliefs and ways of thinking. If you are open-minded, it can help you be more open-minded. Why you shouldn't move to another country? The cost of living You think that because you know English and go to a Western Country, it will be cheap. But the truth is every country has its own standard of living. The United States may have a higher cost than India for example. Your salary may not be comparable to your life back home so your money doesn't go as far. You could also be working in a language-learning environment which may not impress your peers back home. This will make it difficult to brag about what you are doing because it is already common or unsensational. Temptation to return Moving abroad can be the perfect time for self-discovery and making friends. People are usually interested in their new environment that they forget about the ones back home. But what happens when you gain more insight on who you are and where your life will go? You could think of returning back to your hometown, but this is only temporary. You prefer comfort over uncertainty When you are comfortable in one area, it's difficult to pack up and move again. People usually stay in the same country, state or even city for most of their lives. It can be overwhelming that they end up staying longer than anticipated if they find a loved one. Moving abroad is meant to step out of being comfortable because that is when you can grow most. When you are comfortable, it's an indication that your life isn't progressing. You don't want to work in another country Working abroad might not be for everyone depending on the industry or how much you make per month. If you are looking to save money while living abroad with a job, this might not be the best option. If you are looking to make more money while abroad, this might also not be the best option depending on how expensive a place can be. You enjoy your family/friends Spending time with family and friends in another country is difficult when they live back home. It can be taxing on them when they don't get to see you as often so they might not be the best travel companion. The connection you have with family and friends back home is something that cannot be taken for granted. How to Move to a Different Country I recently wrote an article about how to move to Mexico. In it I discuss that taking the big step to move abroad can be done gradually. You don't have to move to a new country and plan a few years of expat life in that particular place. Instead why not take the plunge by visiting the country for a few months? By making the move abroad a few months at a time, you can evaluate where in the world you would like to live. For instance you can start getting answers to important questions you can ask before moving abroad: Do you enjoy the daily life in the new country?How are you finding the new foods?Can you make new friends there?What is the situation with the local government?Do you like the new hobbies you can find in the cultural landscape?Do you need more money to live there or do you find yourself not saving money? Find out what you need Before buying that one way ticket to move abroad, consider the paperwork required. Depending on the country, this paperwork maybe more complex than others. For the most part a common theme would be: Visa applicationProof of Identity (License, Passport, etc)Passport sized photosProof of Income or AssetsVisa application fee You'll also want to look into setting up a bank account. Usually utilities or other services will be much easier using a local account. Your move abroad will be more seamless with it. Frequently Asked Questions What are the effects of moving to another country? There are benefits and disadvantages of moving to another country. Some of the advantages are being exposed to cultural differences, potentially making new friends who have the same interests as you, and experiencing new things. Some of the disadvantages can include not having your family or friends close by if you're not planning on them coming with you, high costs depending on the culture, not being able to speak the language of the country you are moving to. Do I want to move abroad without first visiting the country? A first trip is helps you make an informed decision and experience life in a potentially new home country. If you don't want to take that initial trip, then I would recommend finding someone who has already moved to the country and can answer your questions. While reading up on living abroad is important it doesn't compare to an eye witness account of a potential expat! What are the common problems of moving to another country? Common problems when moving to another country can include being able to find a job in the new country, not being able to speak the language of the culture, missing family and friends. What is the best country to relocate to? The best country to relocate to is one that has the culture you are interested in, the cost of living is within your budget, and perhaps better job opportunities there. What do I need to move abroad? You will want to make sure you have your visa applications filled out, passport photos taken, all necessary documents, and money before moving. It also wouldn't hurt to have someone that can help you learn the language or teach it to you before moving. What are the benefits of relocating abroad? Some benefits of relocating abroad include learning about a new culture, making new friends, and potentially finding better work opportunities.

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