Moving abroad is one of the most emotional decisions that an individual can make. However, one of the biggest things that will help is to obtain tips and advice from friends and family members, which ultimately will help you decide whether or not moving abroad is the right decision.
If you are considering a similar situation, ask yourself the following questions to help you determine whether moving abroad is right for you.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO GO? WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE?
This is perhaps the most important question that you can ask yourself, as it will get to the very heart of your motivation for wanting to move abroad. Is it because of school? Perhaps a romantic relationship? Maybe you’re simply looking for a change of scenery and to experience a new culture?
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY THINK? HOW WILL YOUR ABSENCE IMPACT THEM?
It’s also important to ask your family and your friends what they think about your idea of moving abroad. While it may be something that could greatly change your life, your absence could also have a negative effect on their lives at the same time.
HOW ADAPTABLE ARE YOU TO FOREIGN SITUATIONS?
While the idea of moving to a foreign land may sound exciting and romantic, sooner or later, reality will start to kick in as you begin to see the real challenges of living in a foreign land. These challenges can come in the form of a much different language, mentality, and culture than what you’re normally accustomed to. Before deciding to move abroad, ask yourself if you are truly mentally flexible enough to deal with these issues.
HOW DO YOU NORMALLY HANDLE LONELINESS?
One of the biggest issues people go through when moving, whether it be abroad or not, is the issue of loneliness. When living fairly close to your friends and family, it’s easy to alleviate loneliness; however, when it comes to living abroad, you could find that it will be much harder to cope with your loneliness since your family and friends will be living so far away.
ARE YOU PREPARED TO POSSIBLY BECOME A DIFFERENT PERSON BECAUSE OF YOUR EXPERIENCE?
When moving to a new city, state, or foreign land, the chances are always there that what goes on around you will likely cause you to become a different person. These kinds of experiences can change a person’s attitudes greatly. For instance, when you make a trip back home to visit your family and friends, you may not pay attention to the fact that you will be bringing some of your new customs along with you, which can cause confusion amongst everyone; however, it will also help you to come to terms with any changes that you may have undergone.