Thinking About Moving Abroad? Start Here
By: Inti Tupac
Tags: Self Improvement, Migration, Millenials, Moving Abroad, Travel

It’s not an easy decision, consider this few tips from a migrant.

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

Is it hard moving to another country? The answer is yes, it is difficult, there is a lot to consider and it can be a little overwhelming.

I moved from Argentina to London without even knowing the city beforehand. I didn’t have any friends on site or any job offer, but I spoke the language, had a distant cousin living here already and my girlfriend was coming with me.

Some things you may already have (Hurray!) and somethings you will have to acquire.

Here are a few things I did and others that I wish I’d done that can help you make that decision and your experience a bit better.

So Argentine dude, I am considering to move abroad, Where do I start?

Read and plan ahead

There are so many things to sort out, like where you are going to live, visas, how to earn a living, getting a tax number and a bank account.

All of this can be a bit heavy on you, but there are a lot of resources on the internet nowadays, like travelers blog and even each countries’ official tourism website have very valuable information for you.

Before you decide which country you are going to move to, make sure you are allowed with your current citizenship, get on with the reading and keep your deciding factors in a notebook.

Money matters

Why lie? Is practically impossible to move if you are completely skint (see already picking up some local slang).

The ideal situation would be to have a bit of money saved up and available to get you through some time, unless you already have a job offer on your hands.

Personal savings, family gifts, a job end compensation, everything adds up to give you some initial support (or a sum of all of the above like our case was).

I would personally recommend a minimum of two months living (rent+food) whilst you actively apply for your dream role.

Make some contacts on site

Several people I know (including myself) found that having people already living at your destination is life-changing.

The benefits of this are countless.

Someone who can host you when you arrive or even just being there to answer some of your questions before you move, every little help counts in this significant moment of your life.

A distant relative, a friend of a friend, some people from a Facebook group (I can assure you there is at least one group of your fellow countrymen on every city).

Bring all of your documents

I know is a bit obvious, but it happened to “a friend”(it was me), who went to rent a car for a weekend on the countryside and realized he didn’t move his driving license with him.

Certificates, Diplomas, documents validated in origin, everything that validates who you are and what you have achieved. Sounds old school but best to have it and not needing the other way around.

You don’t want to be about to nail you dream job and not having your diploma with you to prove your degree (also happened to a friend).

Language language language

There is a probability that you are planning on moving to a country where your mother tongue is not the same as theirs.

I had been studying English since I was a kid when I moved to London, and even all of those years of study are nothing compared to ACTUALLY LIVING in a different language.

So I would recommend studying at least a basic local language to get going, even more so if you are planning on getting a high paying job.

Everywhere I know, it is highly valued that you can speak local language even if your job is still done on your mother tongue. How to order bread or ask for a price would be a start.

Effects of moving to another country

There may be some bad effects like feeling alone, far from friends and family, and a lack of a support group can make you feel uncertainty.

But also this uncertainty and seeing lots of new faces around can push you forward and help you try new things, meet new places and immerse yourself in a diverse and rich new culture.

Consider both possible positive and negative effects this new surrounding can cause on you beforehand.

To sum up

Moving abroad is not easy so…

Plan ahead and read read read

If you can, have a safety net money-wise of two months worth (rent+food)

Clear your doubts with people that already live there

Bring all needed documents with you

Learn the language if It’s not your native one

Consider pros and cons of living abroad and in that place specifically

Conclusion and key takeaways

If you are considering to move abroad because you don’t like yourself and you are stuck in your head, thinking a change of scenery will make you feel better, consider that your head moves along with you.

Your mental health is key to endure being away from family friends and pets, and also to enjoy the amazing things of living in a different place, so make sure you are at least comfortable with your psyche and take the leap, you will not regret the experience.