Moving Abroad

MOVING ABROAD

When I initially moved abroad to Morocco in 2019, I told myself it would just be for a year. One year turned into another, and five years later, I had built a community in a place I now call home. In search of the rich cultural immersion I had felt during my first-ever trip overseas, I moved abroad with the goal of exploring more of the world and learning about cultures different than my own.

Your reasons for moving abroad may be different than mine, yet regardless of your individual motivations, it’s an experience certain to lead you towards growth and transformation, in ways you may not have anticipated. It’s a big leap to make, and not without its challenges, yet a desire to make that move means you’re already part of the way there.

In planning your move abroad, ask yourself:

  • Do I want to go to a country/region I’m familiar with, or somewhere completely new?
  • Do I have the necessary language skills for the places I’m considering moving to? If not, am I willing to invest time in learning the local language?
  • What factors are important to me where I move? Ex: close to nature, reliable public transport, access to an international airport, variety of child-friendly activities, etc.
  • Can I find a job that will allow me to live abroad, if I don’t already have one?
  • What is the visa situation for my nationality? Is it easy for foreigners to get visas or obtain residency?
  • What expenses do I need to plan for to make this move?
  • What is the cost of living? How will I balance that along with any expenses I may have back home? Ex: loan payments, taxes, subscriptions, etc.

In planning your move abroad, ask yourself:

  • Do I want to go to a country/region I’m familiar with, or somewhere completely new?
  • Do I have the necessary language skills for the places I’m considering moving to? If not, am I willing to invest time in learning the local language?
  • What factors are important to me where I move? Ex: close to nature, reliable public transport, access to an international airport, variety of child-friendly activities, etc.
  • Can I find a job that will allow me to live abroad, if I don’t already have one?
  • What is the visa situation for my nationality? Is it easy for foreigners to get visas or obtain residency?
  • What expenses do I need to plan for to make this move?
  • What is the cost of living? How will I balance that along with any expenses I may have back home? Ex: loan payments, taxes, subscriptions, etc.