The moving process is hard enough as it is, but how hard do you think it gets when you not only want to move house, but you want your relocation to be to another country? Expatriation carries many risks, and half of them are in the move itself as it can cost you quite a lot until completion. And even then, after you arrive at your new address and start your new life, there are still factors you need to be aware of, no matter how close to your home country you think your new home is. Once you go to another country, you are dealing with another ethnos, with another culture, and you need to be aware of all the troubles you will face before you start living comfortably in your new homestead.
The Planning
Moving house abroad takes careful planning, starting with getting your documents in order. You need a passport and you need a visa. And after that, you need to engage yourself in looking for a place to live using a reliable real estate agency. Picking a new home abroad is quite hard as you won’t be able to do quick inspections and check out the places yourself, so you are at the mercy of the estate agent, thus you need a trustworthy one. Ask for recommendations, or make a trip for one day to see all your options and then act on your choice for house or flat.
The Moving
And then comes finding a moving company which can perform the relocation without any issues. It would be great if you could fit all your belongings in a few travelling cases and do it yourself, but that is not always the case. If you are doing a huge move, a one-way move, then you need reliable movers to do the whole removals job. This means a ton of research, from credibility, to insurance papers, to recommendations.
The Aftermath
And after the relocation is complete, there are still risks to avert. The main one you will face is the culture shock if there is a drastic change. A person from the UK going to the USA, for instance, will probably feel less shock than, say, one going to Brazil, but if you are going to Brazil there will be so many new things to learn and adapt to that you might find it overwhelming.
And if you are not moving because your job demands it of you that probably means that you will need a job. Often times, people can’t find a job because of the refusal of employers to hire foreigners. And that problem often comes because of language issues. If you are moving to a country and you don’t know the language, then you would be wise to pick it up quickly. Unless you are there to teach English at the local school, then there will be very few job opportunities without any fluency in the foreign tongue.
And there is also the home sickness. After relocation far away from the family nest, you will have a strong need to feel something of the old, something you are used to. There will be frequent calls back home just to hear a familiar voice, and there will be longing for the familiar comfort of your old surroundings. And all of this is something to overcome as you need to start adapting to your new setting.
Overcome all this and there will be no risks of being an expat. Learn the language, find your own place in this new world you took yourself to, and start living once again instead of adapting. It could be a short or long process, but it’s ultimately an achievable goal, so work towards it and don’t give up, no matter the hardships that await you on the way to finding comfort again.
