Moving abroad: the biggest challenges expats face when moving and how to overcome them
Table of contents
- Fear that you are starting a new life
- How to overcome the feeling that you are starting a new life
- Financial difficulties
- How to prepare for financial difficulties
- Cultural differences and socialization
- How to overcome cultural differences and socialize
- Fear of giving up the old way of life
- How to overcome this fear?
- Difficulties in transporting personal belongings abroad
- How to cope with the difficulties of transporting things?
Moving abroad is always an expectation of a new life. However, for expats, there are many challenges associated with moving abroad and it is important to understand what to expect so that you know how to overcome them. Learn more about the 5 biggest challenges of moving abroad and how to overcome them
It is believed that moving abroad is the beginning of a new exciting period in life. However, in addition to the positive, changing the place of residence can bring a lot of stress and problems. Getting used to a new culture and customs is quite difficult. Expats note that sometimes they even feel like completely different people.
Of course, the degree of stress depends on a person's ability to adapt. However, for most migrants, moving to a new country is a kind of emotional trauma. Coping with challenges is much easier when you know what you're up against. Therefore, today we will talk about the 5 biggest difficulties of moving abroad and give advice on how to deal with them.
Fear that you are starting a new life
It doesn't matter what kind of life you lived in your country of origin, what career prospects you managed to achieve and what possessions you acquired, as soon as you cross the border of a new country - you immediately begin to feel like you are starting all over again.
However, this is only a feeling. In fact, a change of residence cannot destroy your entire experience. Moreover, when you move, you change only a few aspects of your life, usually these are work and housing. Your family, education and hobbies stay with you and help you maintain your own identity.
How to overcome the feeling that you are starting a new life
If you are faced with similar fears, remember your achievements. Tell yourself that moving is just another stage in your life that will give you a lifetime of experience. It is important to monitor your condition, because emotional well-being is an absolute priority in the life of every person.
Financial difficulties
First of all, moving is a rather expensive event, because an expat needs not only to buy tickets and pay for housing. The international delivery of your belongings, the purchase of furniture and appliances for the new apartment, and the preparation of documents will be a significant item of expenses. This is not counting endless small purchases.
Secondly, after moving, you may encounter unfamiliar features of the financial market of a new country - currency, bank cards, taxes, etc.
How to prepare for financial difficulties
Prepare as thoroughly as possible for the move: read as much useful information as possible, study the financial sector of the new country, learn about the taxation system. Remember that acquiring new knowledge is time well invested. Of course, it will not be possible to completely avoid expenses, but consider them as an investment in your future.
Cultural differences and socialization
Most often, expats do not dare to move due to the fear of cultural differences and worries about socialization. The majority of migrants say that the language barrier, possible culture shock, and the complexities of the new country's migration laws worry them the most.
How to overcome cultural differences and socialize
Integration into the new society will take place every day after the move. Gradually, you will learn basic social rules, get to know the culture and remember national holidays. However, so that life in a new country does not become a real shock for you, learn more about it before moving. The consultation of a migration specialist will help to simplify the process of filing documents.
Fear of giving up the old way of life
Homesickness is a constant companion of the first months of life in a new country. When you have some difficulties or problems in your social life, your brain will idealize your city or country. However, this is a dangerous trend. If you believe and succumb, then there is a risk of becoming unhappy for long months or even years of emigration.
How to overcome this fear?
Try to look realistically at your past life, city or country. Remember what exactly prompted you to move, analyze what advantages you received after changing the country. Try to protect yourself from unnecessary worries and negative emotions.
Difficulties in transporting personal belongings abroad
Most people don't even think about how much stuff they have until they start packing it. Also, transporting things abroad can be technically quite difficult. Undoubtedly, in recent years, the international shipping market has developed significantly: moving is much faster, and damage or loss of cargo is quite rare. However, moving is still a stressful and time-consuming task.
How to cope with the difficulties of transporting things?
Transporting personal belongings is a rather long process, so preparations should be started in advance. Find out what things should be brought with you to a new country and what should be left behind and create a checklist. Pack everything carefully to avoid loss or damage in transit.
The second stage is to find a reliable transport company and shippers. To do this, contact your friends or read reviews on social networks.
Of course, these are not all the difficulties that await you in a new country. However, remember that everything can definitely be overcome if you treat everything with positivity.
Our Migration guide will also help simplify your move.
Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:
Medical insurance all over the world;
Legal advice from a local specialist on visa and migration issues (to receive the service, select the country of interest and citizenship).
USA vs Canada for expats: pros and cons of where to move to.
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