How to Live Abroad

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This article was co-written by Archana Ramamoorthy, MS. Archana Ramamoorthy is the Director of Technology Product Management at Workday. She is a product ninja, a security advocate, and has ambitions to expand the tech industry. Archana received her BS from SRM University and MS from Duke University and has worked in product management for over 8 years.

There are 19 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.

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Moving abroad is one of the biggest turning points you can go through in your life. Although it can be quite challenging and complicated with lots of paperwork, it is also an extremely enjoyable and rewarding experience. Whether for work or personal purposes, the transition will be much easier and more enjoyable if you prepare well. This article will cover the issues you need to consider.

Table of Contents

Practical problems when moving abroad

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Make sure your passport is up to date and has a visa that allows you to live in that country. If going abroad is highly likely, especially on short notice, you need to be prepared. Everything that you prepare in advance will be much easier than when you have to do it at the last minute. Visa issues can cause travel delays. ^{[1] XResearch Source}

Remember that your passport must be valid. If you need to get a new passport, this should be the first thing you need to do. The process of applying for and receiving a new passport can take several weeks. ^{[2] XResearch Source}

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Make a plan. First of all, you need to make a plan with items that can be crossed out when completed. This plan needs to be meticulous and include deadlines. ^{[3] XResearch Sources} Here are some other issues to consider:

Talk about packing and shipping. Consult at least three different companies and ask them to submit quotes. Find out what each company promises to do: custom packaging, wine packaging and shipping (which can be quite complicated), pet support, on-time delivery assurance, guarantee storage at destination, etc. In addition, you should also ask about the service of storing property where you are. If you plan to go abroad for a short time and then return, it may be best to leave some, even most, of your belongings.
Decide how to treat your home. Will you sell the house or rent it out? If you want to sell, you can contact a real estate agent and let them know your plans. Think about whether you have enough time to wait for the best price, or need to sell quickly to make money. Be careful when talking to your broker about this – no matter how rushed you are, you will want to sell for the highest possible price.
- If you’re renting, ask a realtor about their responsibilities with the rental property. Remember that their service must leave you completely satisfied. Ask to see a letter of recommendation, and if possible, choose a broker with experience in leasing properties from overseas landlords – it is much more difficult to rent a property while you are abroad. There may be problems in your absence if the broker fails to fulfill their responsibilities to look after the property and check on the tenants.
Deal with mortgages, leases and loans. You will need to talk to your bank or lessors about how to best handle your financial obligations.
Talk to your child’s school about the upcoming change. You will need confirmation of your child’s current grade and a commitment to be available to respond to emails or phone calls from the school in the destination country regarding relevant matters. Talk to a counselor about any transition issues you find helpful.
Vaccination and visa application. Make sure to get your scheduled vaccinations and get all visas. Prepare enough accompanying documents necessary for permanent or long-term settlement.
- If you are planning to renounce your citizenship from your country of origin and apply for a new one, the process will take a long time, so you need to do this in the first place when planning.
Set a schedule for packing. Try to stick to a schedule so you have plenty of time to deal with problems that may arise – and that’s for sure!

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Think about your goals in life in your new country. Archana Ramamoorthy, director of technical product management at Workday, said: “When I moved to the US, the main issues I considered were the visa process and the cost of living . I considered moving to the US. UK but life in UK is much more expensive than in US I need to understand what financial burden means I also want to study in the best universities in the US or else go abroad outside was futile, so I took out a student loan to help with expenses. I know that even though it costs more, I have a better chance of completing my studies.”

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Take plenty of time to prepare. Some companies or government agencies that send employees abroad will give you a few months or days notice if you are selected. In this case, ask for as much payment assistance as possible – you will need their support.

If you have ample time, you should spend at least six months preparing. You need to take advantage of this time to handle many things, including handling property, vehicles, pets, insurance, packing and shipping, banking, transferring schools and more. another. There are also times when you don’t have such a comfortable time.
You may have to go right away in a short time, but even if you are in a hurry, don’t despair. On the other hand, you need to quickly create a support network, the more helpers, the better.

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Consider finding accommodation in your destination country as soon as possible. Will you stay in a hotel or serviced apartment while looking to buy or rent a home? ^{[4] XResearch Sources}

Avoid buying a home over the internet. There is a risk that you will buy something very bad without knowing it. You need to visit the site to better understand the surrounding area, see if the floor is rotting, or to see if it is too expensive!
You can ask a family member or personally go ahead a trip to check the home and the price to see if it is worth it. If someone you know lives where you’re going, you can ask them to help you with this.
Even if you want to buy a house or apartment in the next country, it is advisable to rent a house first. When you’re renting, you’ll have time to explore whether you’ve chosen the wrong location, or simply don’t like living in that country. After a minimum of six months, you’ll know if you really want to stay, plus you’ll learn more about the property and the areas you love to live in. That way you’ll be less stressed and more likely to make the right decisions.
Note that you should arrive first and deliver your belongings later. This will be more convenient if you plan to rent a hotel or a serviced apartment.
Find a good lawyer who specializes in real estate in the country you plan to visit. You will need someone who knows all about the taxes, fees, liens, conditions, etc. that apply in that country. Your attorney can recommend an attorney in your destination.

Coping with culture shock

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Prepare yourself for big changes. You may face culture shock and the transition will be difficult when you move to a place that is completely different from your usual home, but you will get over it after a few months of living there. . People in each land behave differently, which is why we call them “foreigners” – and it often makes us strangers. However, it is also a great opportunity for us to learn and get acquainted with another culture. Once you put yourself in the mindset of people in another country, you will never go back to the old way of thinking; because it will be difficult for you to see the world from the “us and them” perspective once you have experienced it. ^{[12] XResearch Source}

If you don’t know the local customs, do your research first to understand as much as possible. It’s better to know a little bit than to know nothing – at least it gives you the opportunity to learn about and assimilate into cultural events and customs when you arrive in a new land. It also helps you avoid situations that might be perceived as offensive to the locals.

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Understand that small hobbies can turn out to be bigger problems than you think. Your favorite cup of coffee and the familiar place you used to visit back home can turn into gnawing nostalgia when you can no longer find them in your present life. It is important that you acknowledge your feelings of loss, but remain open to seeking out new experiences. Even the unexplored can signal things you’ll love more than the things you loved back in the day.

Feeling sad or depressed about these losses is completely normal; sadness will pass when you get used to the new land.
If you move from a country with plenty of options to choose from, to a country where there isn’t much to choose from, you’ll probably find life very difficult. There will be no longer rows of large rows of breakfast cereals (now only a small shelf) or cars of all kinds (now you can only choose blue or gray). This will make you miserable at first. You have two choices – one is to accept and understand that having fewer options will give you more time to think and save natural resources, and the other is to go back one trip to buy everything (or ask friends or family to send). Although many people find that this feeling of inadequacy doesn’t really fade over time (you’ll often find yourself thinking back to the good old days, when you could have bought something different) get used to not having much choice!

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Understand that the initial euphoria will pass in a few months. The first few months after you set foot in your new place, you’ll feel like you’re having a great vacation; you spend a lot of time exploring and feeling very excited. But eventually you will realize that you are living there and it is not half as interesting as you imagined. This may come earlier for some people due to administrative procedures, maintaining family life and petty troubles that interfere with settling down.

You should soon find reputable service providers. There’s always going to be a time when something goes wrong, and you’ll need someone you can trust to show up for what they promise and charge a fair price. If you don’t ask in advance to prepare, you can become a prey for extortionists who take advantage of exorbitant prices. This can turn out to be a nightmare experience, and you can completely anticipate instead of being “chopped off”.
Stay calm when dealing with administrative procedures. Most countries have forms, most have to wait in line, and have odd excuses for filling out forms and waiting. It’s not your job to ask questions, but to research locals and online sites to find out how best to handle problems. Everything has a solution, and you need to learn how to handle it right. If you don’t learn, you’ll never know.

If you are just considering going abroad to live

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Determine the country you want to move to. Unless you have no choice, such as due to company relocation, your decision will depend on where you think it is best to live. Heading to the lovely rose city of Toulouse in southwestern France? Visiting Germany’s Berlin? Heading to the beautiful Nordic land of Iceland? Going to Mexico? Venezuela? Spain? Russia? China? Or even to an island like Hawaii or Tahiti? ^{[14] XResearch Source}

Imagine life in a new country. Watch videos online to get an idea of what you like there about all seasons of the year. Consider weather, pollution, access to transportation, medical care, and grocery shopping. List things to do there at work and other activities.
Look online for stories of people who have moved abroad. People working abroad can be the most useful source of information; Their experiences can give you a clearer idea of your choice, is it reasonable, or is that where most people get in trouble? You can trust what they say, because they’re going through it; however, be aware that each person’s experience is often significantly different, depending on their reason for moving, income level, work experience, region of the country they live in, etc. question if the site’s forum allows it.
Do you have the capacity to work in the next country? Is there a need that aligns with your expertise? What obstacles do you have to overcome to get a job there before you move in and secure your income? Very few people can afford to take the risk of not finding a job in a new country, unless they are wealthy enough. Also, you should learn about social security and what tests you need to pass to qualify – note that you may not be able to pass for months or years, or may not. when.

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Arrange a trip to the country you are aiming to experience before you can call it home. Travel guidebooks are a good source of information, but don’t rely entirely on them. Try to avoid the tourist spots and go to “background” places where you can interact with the locals. But you should be careful: when you’re eager to move abroad because you love a place during your travels, you need to understand that vacationing and living there are two completely different experiences. When you travel, you don’t have to deal with the frustrations of everyday life, don’t have to endure the same bureaucratic procedures and routines as the locals do, and generally don’t have to worry about anything. Once you come to live there, reality will be very different from the pleasant experience of a tourist. Don’t decide to move in solely on a whim through a trip!

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Learn everything about the country you’re going to, including the local customs (very important), the language (even more important) and the parts of the city. It is crucial for you to know if you can live there with different laws, customs and practices, because this will affect your daily life. ^{[15] XResearch Source} For example, there are strict rules about what you’re or aren’t allowed to do in a country like Singapore (to the point where chewing gum in public can lead to deportation) can make freedom-loving American citizens feel constrained. ^{[16] XResearch Source}

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Research on immigration law and procedures. Will you be able to come and live in the country you like? Some countries have very strict immigration requirements based on income level, age, skills, qualifications and family ties. If you are not rich, have no skills, are too old or have no relatives living there, you will have very little chance of living in the desired country. Read the laws of that country on the immigration website. Call the immigration office to ask for more specific information regarding yourself – no printed information can be clearer than making your own case and asking for specific advice.

The embassy of the country you want to move to is the first gate you can call. They often have information on those who wish to migrate.

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Note the language barrier. Is the language of the country you are going to visit different from your mother tongue? If yes, can you speak that language? Be honest about your ability to learn a new language – learning a new language can be difficult for some people, even in that environment. During the time of not knowing a language, you will feel isolated from many things around you. If you are not confident, this can be a very painful experience for you. ^{[17] XResearch Source}

Consider learning the language to a proficient level before you leave.
Sign up for language lessons as soon as you arrive. Find a tutor who knows both your mother tongue and the language you are learning. Make sure this person can spend time with you to go places to help you learn the language in specific contexts, such as when shopping, dealing with landlords, banking, buying a car, applying for a visa. study, etc..

Advice

When learning a foreign language, don’t forget to learn idioms and slang – learn how people talk in real life . Search online forums and websites to learn current words and their meanings. There is often a place on these pages to ask anonymous questions about confusing words.
Don’t cut things off at home – maybe one day you need to go back! For example, one piece of advice worth considering is that you shouldn’t sell your home. You can keep it and rent it out, just in case you need to return. Likewise, you should not renounce your citizenship; Who knows, maybe one day you will want to return to the place where you were buried.

Warning

If you are constantly complaining about your new life and want to go back to the old days, remember that you may be looking at your hometown through rose-colored glasses. Chances are that when you return to your home country, you will experience the same culture shock as when you set foot in the new country! Give that place a chance; If after five years you still feel sad, it’s time to pack up and return to your hometown.
Avoid moving to another country when you are pessimistic and depressed. This will not help you move forward, and even harm when you make decisions.
Maybe you face stigma. Don’t forget, you ‘re a foreigner in your new country.
Understand that some people will tell you bad stories because they hate being abroad; This situation is quite common among spouses who have to go abroad to live with their partner. They want to stay at home but end up going but with narrow and aversion in mind. Beware of such people – they often show it on their faces, always complaining about how much they hate their new country and how they long to return home.
Beware of banking hassles. If you move from the US to a less developed country, you may find it surprisingly difficult to open a simple account. Anti-money laundering regulations and other complications with which these banks do business with the US can lead to a lot of paperwork and reference requirements that are difficult to obtain while abroad. Make sure you have enough cash to spend for the first two months, as it will be difficult to get money without a local account.
Moving abroad is an experience that can be exciting at first, but can often be challenging for you (and your family) both physically and mentally. Be prepared for the worst, so you’ll be prepared for any eventuality.
Don’t romanticize living abroad. No place is perfect, and you won’t turn into a new person overnight. Do more research on the culture and events – don’t just rely on your friends’ exciting travel stories.
Make sure you are authorized and authorized to work in the new country. For example, many developed countries now have relaxed work permits. These types of visas are similar to work permits, in that they are often location-specific and may not be subject to the same strict regulations as regular work permits.
Choose the right and reputable real estate broker. There is a risk of you being scammed when buying a home.
Your experience may be different from others. While other people’s stories are helpful, understand that their experiences are always unique, and so are yours. Don’t be so quick to assume that everything is bad or great just by their stories. Do your own research and keep an open mind.
Be realistic, and remember that you still have the option to return.
When considering applying for a job, be sure to do your research on the place and see if anything dishonest/shady has ever happened there (just as you always pay attention when applying for a job, no matter what. abroad or in the country!). You certainly don’t want to work in a place where you’ll regret not having considered it!

Things you need

Information of the embassy / immigration department
Real estate brokers and attorneys in both places
Financial advisor
Information and quotes of the shipping company
Detailed plan for implementation and crossed out when completed
Asset storage plan (where relevant)
Internet access
Guidebooks and the like to learn about cultural information
Passports, visas, vaccinations
Health check (good health before going)
Pet plan
Plan for learning

Steps