Making the decision to move abroad on your own is a big step. It’s the perfect opportunity to go off and explore the world, boost your self-confidence, and make new friends. But it can also seem intimidating and scary at the same time. Don’t be put off by the difficulties; moving to a new country alone could be the best decision of your life
Find a grocery store or market
Experiment with food and drink
- Familiarize yourself with the local flavors and timeliness
- Get to know the opening times of stores and how they operate
- Have a coffee at a café on the way home from the supermarket
Tackle the administration
Get through the mandatory and important tasks first
- Depending on what country you are moving to, you’ll need to register with the authorities or local government upon arrival.
- Make sure you have all your paperwork in order beforehand and have photocopies of your documents.
Find your way around
Getting lost is one of the best ways to familiarize yourself with your surroundings
- Learn to ride a bicycle or figure out how to get around with the local transport
- Apps like Google Maps will become your best friend while navigating your new home
- Do a trial run to your new workplace
Embrace being alone
Take full advantage of being out of your comfort zone by exploring new hobbies and trying new things.
- Push yourself a little, you’ll be surprised about what you can achieve and how much stronger, self-confident, and independent you’ll become.
Allow time to settle in and adjust
It takes time to readjust, settle in, and feel at home in your new country. Be patient with fitting in, understanding the new culture, and trying to feel like one of the locals.
- Keep a diary to document your thoughts and feelings.
Be ruthless with your finances
Establish how much money you will need to pay your rent, bills and other costs, to enjoy a good standard of living.
- Bear in mind the tax implications in your home country as well as those in your host country.
Get a job upfront or be prepared to support yourself indefinitely
Some expats are invited to live in a different country for a new job, which takes away the worry of independently looking for a job.
- If you decide to wait till you get there, familiarize yourself with job opportunities in your new country.
Budget your relocation costs
Your own level of costs depend on whether your adventurous next step is being facilitated by a company or if you’re self-financing your move.
Research the country thoroughly
If you are thinking of moving abroad alone, make sure you thoroughly research the new country
- Thanks to the Internet, there is a wealth of resources available online that you can check
- World Data provides a good idea of what you should expect to be earning, as well as the cost of living
Prepare for homesickness
Bring one or two favorite items with you from home and ask family or friends back home to send you a care package from time to time.
- Don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional if you feel like things are just too much.
Keep friends back home a priority
Staying in touch with friends and family from your home country will keep you balanced and help you feel grounded in your new expat life
- FaceTime or Skype
- Make a date to catch up
- Share stories and experiences and ease homesickness
Make finding friends a priority
Once you’ve settled into your new home and started your new job, you’ll want to meet new people and expand your social circle. Find a variety of local and expat meetup groups online that offer a wide selection of activities and try as many of these as possible.
Connect with the locals as well as expats
It’s easy to gravitate towards your fellow countrymen and women when you have moved to a different country.
- Since you have made the move abroad on your own, it’s highly recommendable to make friends with the local residents.
Your checklist upon arrival
Once your plane touches down and you’re over the giddy excitement of arriving at your new home, your first few days are key to starting your new life smoothly
Research local housing and good neighborhoods
Have a good look at real estate agents and rental agencies to see what you can realistically afford
- Avoid areas far away from where local businesses and bars/restaurants would be
- You may also be considering whether to rent or buy, depending on your duration of stay
Learn the local language
Practice daily
- If you’re on a tight budget, take private lessons with a professional tutor.
- Use the many free foreign language apps that are available online
- You could also take advantage of some free courses that are offered online.
Adapt to local traditions and customs
Remain open and show an interest in learning about your new country’s culture. A polite smile and nod will go a long way to avoid offending people
- Try to be open-minded if you’re given an unfamiliar gift or greeting
Learn from mistakes
Expect to make many mistakes in your new life and use this experience as part of the steep learning curve of living abroad on your own.
- Write down all of your mistakes on a sticky note and put them on your fridge so you can look back on them and laugh.
