Living Abroad: The Realities Of Moving To A New Country

Whether you’re a millennial with a thirst for adventure or are looking to retire to sunnier climes, it’s never felt easier to pack up and try life somewhere new. With the world at our fingertips, the question isn’t if we should try living abroad, but where to go first. And then where to go after that…

The younger generation is paving the way when it comes to the travel-heavy “experience economy” (in lieu of splashing out on material possessions), and no adventure can compete with the thrill of moving to a new country, be it to explore somewhere new for a few months after studying or to relocate somewhere longer-term for work or family obligations.

Living in a new country is an educational experience like no other, where every day brings new discoveries: food, culture, people, places, customs.

It’s also really hard work – and that’s true without even trying to negotiate any language barriers. When you move abroad, you’re learning to work, live and make friends in a strange new world, while also desperately missing – and trying your best to stay in touch with – your friends and family back home.

Thankfully, today’s technology can make you feel close to your global connections even when you’re oceans apart. So you can show them your new pad in Paris on video chat… or have them bail you out of a financial scrape while you scramble to sort out life admin. 

We’ve gathered up the advice, experiences and wisdom of people who moved away from their homelands and settled somewhere new. One thing these expats, immigrants, adventurers, explorers, émigrés and global citizens can all agree on? Their time abroad was the experience of a lifetime – and they are so grateful for it.

Katerina, 33, moved from Greece to Singapore two years ago so she and her boyfriend (who had been doing the long-distance thing) could start their lives together in a new city. “Moving abroad is very exciting and you barely realise how quickly the first six months/year fly by. You are constantly out exploring new places in your new city: bars, restaurants and activities. You are also very keen to meet new people and you make the extra effort to go out more,” she explains. For Katerina, there was definitely an element of culture shock going from Greece to Singapore – just take the Singlish dialect everyone speaks there. “Honestly, for the first six months I had no idea what the locals said when they talked to me!” Staying in touch with friends and family has been hard with Singapore five hours ahead of Greece – but vitally important. “You have to make the effort and make sure you text and Skype as often as possible. Also, after a year abroad, flying back home to spend quality time with friends and family became the top priority for me. I would happily sacrifice a trip somewhere in the region to see my loved ones and catch up,” Katerina explains.” /><figcaption> <h1>"Keeping in touch with friends and family has been the hardest part because of the time difference."</h1> <p> Katerina, 33, moved from Greece to Singapore two years ago so she and her boyfriend (who had been doing the long-distance thing) could start their lives together in a new city.</p> <p>“Moving abroad is very exciting and you barely realise how quickly the first six months/year fly by. You are constantly out exploring new places in your new city: bars, restaurants and activities. You are also very keen to meet new people and you make the extra effort to go out more,” she explains.</p> <p>For Katerina, there was definitely an element of culture shock going from Greece to Singapore – just take the Singlish dialect everyone speaks there. “Honestly, for the first six months I had no idea what the locals said when they talked to me!”</p> <p>Staying in touch with friends and family has been hard with Singapore five hours ahead of Greece – but vitally important.</p> <p>“You have to make the effort and make sure you text and Skype as often as possible. Also, after a year abroad, flying back home to spend quality time with friends and family became the top priority for me. I would happily sacrifice a trip somewhere in the region to see my loved ones and catch up,” Katerina explains.</p> <p> <cite>svetikd via Getty Images</cite></figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding=