7 key tips and suggestions to moving abroad alone

Are you planning to pack your things and move to another country? You are not alone… many are thinking the same thing. A lot of people around the world are having the same dream, but only a small percentage actually takes action to do this. We understand that, for many different reasons, there are many people out there who are moving abroad alone and are scared at the thought of doing this.

In fact, the thought of abandoning your comfort zone and moving abroad alone can be scary at the beginning and you could find yourself overwhelmed by the idea of getting used to a brand new culture, finding a new place to live and building good relationships with people.

So, whether you are moving to another country for a career opportunity, to make an investment, study or only to discover new places, here are our top tips when moving abroad alone.

How to cope with moving abroad alone

1) Do not panic about the idea of moving abroad alone

You’re thinking about moving abroad alone and a cluster of worries are running through your head.

Can I find a job? How will I make friends? Can I really do this?

STOP.

It is totally normal having these thoughts in your head, but you will have to realise that it always seems harder than it actually is. After all, many people already moved abroad alone to another country and found that to be the best choice they ever made.

So can you move abroad alone? Of course, you can! There are thousands of singles enjoying the good life overseas and you can too. Moving abroad alone is no longer the strange phenomenon it once was. There is no reason to postpone your dream simply because you don’t have a travel partner – the world is at your feet, you just have to take that first step.

All you have to do is be yourself and enjoy your adventure. Ultimately, if you regret your choice or the new country did not live up to your expectations, nothing stops you from returning to your native country. But if you put commitment and enjoy every single part of the journey, you will find yourself wondering why you were so scared at the thought of moving abroad alone.

2) Learn the language

 If you are moving abroad alone, with no person with you who could help you communicate with other people, one tip that we could give you is that you should take it upon yourself to start understanding the basis of the language spoken in your target country. Bear in mind, there is absolutely no problem in being a foreigner who doesn’t speak the language properly in a country (after all we all have been through that). Moreover, the technology available now will definitely make it easier for you to communicate with other people.

However, if you are planning to stay in the country for a long time, it is better for you to start learning the language as early as possible so that you can develop your skills early enough and streamline the adaptation process. Besides, who wouldn’t want to learn a new language?

I believe this could actually be a perk of moving abroad.

3) Have a strategy for meeting people

Living and moving abroad alone can be pretty lonely at times so it’s important to meet new people and make friends. But technology can be helpful here again. You could, for example, join an online social group such as Meetup.com where you can sign up for interest groups to meet like-minded people. You can also search for social or ex-pat groups in your area on Facebook and find people who also moved abroad alone.

Consider participating in expat forums or speaking with individuals who have lived in the city you will be moving to. Seek out clubs, groups or organisations to meet others – just like at home, there will be groups based around common interests wherever you go.

If you don’t know the language, sign up for language classes where you can meet others in the same shoes. Volunteering is also another great way to meet people.

4)  Fight homesickness

It is easy to get homesick when moving abroad alone. Ease loneliness and homesickness by keeping in contact with friends and family. Set up a time each week and speak to each other on Skype or FaceTime. Setting aside time to speak to those you care about will help you stay connected.

You can use social media platforms like Facebook, Snapchat or Instagram to share what’s happening in your life without the inconvenience of finding a scheduled time to chat. Or why not update everyone about your experiences abroad by starting a blog? This could be an easy way for you not only to share your adventures with the world but also to keep a timeline memory of all your experiences, bad and good. Besides, that could be a good way for you to have an additional income

5) Moving abroad alone to find a job? Prepare in advance

If you’re moving abroad alone without a job, have an idea about the job market you are entering and the current skills set which are in demand. For example, you could search job boards and contact expat groups before you leave.

Moreover, another good tip when moving abroad alone to find a new job opportunity is to network with family, friends and work colleagues to find out if they know of anyone who works in your destination who may be able to help.

Also, although this might sound like a given, you have to make sure that you bring copies of your resume, recommendations and any other professional certificates.

6) Find the perfect accommodation

A good way to find new acquaintances fast when moving abroad alone is to share the place where you will live. If you don’t like the thought of renting a property by yourself, you could look on websites like Craigslist for potential house shares.

Before you go have an idea of the neighbourhoods you want to live in so you won’t be completely in the dark about where to start house hunting.

Our currency and emigration experts can help you with this. We help clients organise their finances and help them identify the best property for them. Feel free to give us a call for a free consultation on how to make you next life-changing move as easy as possible.

7) Learn to embrace new challenges

The last tip we can give you is to put passion and be decisive about what you do. You will most likely not be 100% certain about moving abroad alone, as you will inevitably have many doubts and concerns about how to make yourself feel comfortable in a new environment. However, this can be an opportunity that not only will allow you to be more open-minded, increase your knowledge and gain some relevant experience but will also foster your growth as a person and will help you become more confident about your next challenges in life.

Many people see challenges as negative, but they can be very fulfilling to overcome and ultimately help you grow. Moving abroad alone can push you to your very limits and expand your comfort zone which will help you learn to be truly self-reliant and independent.