Is the humdrum of life drumming away at you? The same routine every day, the same scenery every day. Are you craving a life filled with new experiences, cultural immersion, career development, and personal growth?
Moving abroad might be just the ticket to ignite your senses and a new job search might lighten your finances. But before you bid farewell to familiarity, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully.
Let’s explore moving abroad and all its exhilarating perks as well as potential challenges. Keep reading if you’re contemplating a major life change and wondering if moving abroad is truly the right choice for you.
Introduction
Making the decision to move abroad is a big one. It is a life changing decision to make, so what factors should you consider?
On the plus side, moving abroad could be a great adventure. Learn to live in a new country, learn a new language and meet new people from diverse cultures. An international move could be the best thing for your career and finances.
On the downside, moving abroad can be expensive and stressful. It can be difficult to get used to a new country and culture. You may miss your family and friends back home. And there is always the risk that things don’t work out as planned and you end up having to move back home again.
5 Pros Moving Abroad
- Discovering diverse cultures and customs will open new perspectives on life. With a broader mindset, ‘the world is your oyster’ and travel becomes easier.
- Career advancement: If it is a career advancement or even a career change, moving abroad can be a big step for your career. By gaining international experience, learning new skills, and networking with professionals from different countries, you can accomplish this.
These skills could lead to higher salaries or more job opportunities overall. In your job search, ensure you have all the necessary skills and qualifications for the country for which you are applying.
- Improve your language skills: As well as opening many doors professionally and socially, learning a foreign language is one of the most rewarding aspects of moving abroad.
Not only will it help you make friends in your new home country, but it will also help you stand out in certain job markets. Not being able to speak the local language can leave you feeling lonely and isolated.
- Make lifelong friendships: Moving abroad gives you the chance to make lasting connections with locals who may become lifelong friends or business contacts. This can be especially beneficial if you plan to return to your home country at some point in the future as these connections may prove useful.
- Cost of living: The cost of living can be a lot cheaper than your own country. Therefore, you will be able to save or spend your extra time travelling.
5 Cons of Moving Abroad?
The decision to move abroad is a big one, and not one to be made lightly.
- One of the biggest considerations when moving abroad is the cost of living. In many cases it could be cheaper, though depending on which foreign country you choose, the cost of living can be higher than what you’re used to at home.
This is especially true if you’re moving to a major city like London or Paris. Among other things, you’ll have to budget for housing, food, transportation, and entertainment. Make sure to make comparisons before you make any big move.
- Will you be able to find a job in your new country? If you’re not fluent in the local language, it may be difficult to find work. And even if you are fluent, there may not be many opportunities in your field. Before you move abroad, make sure there are jobs in South Africa
- You’ll need to consider your support network. Do you have family or friends in your new country? If not, it may be difficult to adjust to life in a new place. You’ll need to build up a new social circle and create a support system from scratch.
- Education and healthcare: If you have a family, this will be an especially key factor. Will you be earning enough to support your family with the best education and healthcare?
- Visa requirements: The visa process can be incredibly involved and can also be lengthy and expensive. You may be fortunate to have employers who will do this process for you, or you could hire a visa company for assistance.
Resources for Further Research
When considering moving abroad, the internet is a great place to begin your research. You can start with employment, using a job portal or finding a recruitment agency. Research the culture by reading blogs from people who have been through the experience. Here are a few resources to get you started:
- Numbeo,com can help make price comparisons between your existing country and your target company.
- com is a great resource for those considering a move abroad. Providing information on finding a job, housing, and visas, as well as advice from expats who have the experience.
- world, is a great guide for D.I.Y. visa information.
- vfsglobal.com, will assist you in every step of the visa process.
- The book “Living Abroad: A Practical Guide” by Sally Longson is a helpful resource for those considering moving overseas. Finding a job, adjusting to culture shock, and making friends in a new country are among the topics covered in the book.
- If you know someone who has already made the move abroad, ask them about their experience. As a result, they can provide you with first-hand knowledge and help you make the transition.
Conclusion
Exciting as moving abroad can be, it can also be intimidating. It’s important to consider both the pros and cons of living abroad before making your decision. Weigh up all the factors carefully and ensure that you have prepared adequately for your move by doing research into the country you are moving to, researching job opportunities and accommodation options, as well as planning ahead financially. Only then will you know if moving abroad is absolutely right for you.
