Many old friends and acquaintances often say to me“How did you end up moving abroad?,It must have been difficult”
Well,in a way,yes it was difficult to adjust to a new culture.But it was not a long and drawn out thinking process,to decide to leave the UK.Actually I left England with two bags of clothes,my photo`s and of course a valid passport
Living abroad is not for everyone.I believe and have experienced that some people find it extremely hard to live a abroad.The main rasons for this,are they find it so difficult and painful living away from friends and family and most of all,the familiarity of home,Not to mention been comfronted with a new language,in my case The Finnish Language.Often times the local people don`t even speak your mother tongue.
On the other hand,as with my self.Some people positively thrive on new challenges,get an almost thrilling adrenelin rush from the novelty of placing one self in a new situation.The satisfaction of overcoming the daily problems of adjusting to a new country and culture,are rewarded with the knowledge you gain and on a personal level, a great sense of achievement and personal growth.
Deciding to move abroad
Apart from the obvious.like deciding what your motives are for moving abroad.Think about what you may find difficult about living in another country,what you might give up or miss from home and most impotantly what benefits you may get from living abroad.I have to say that I did not think to clearly about these factors 21 years ago.I felt young and fit enough to take on any new challenges and would more than likely do it again!Who knows.
I was prepared for problems and so they did not overwhelm me and stop me enjoying the new foreign culture that was in front of me.It has been a wonderful experience,though I have seen and had many expatriate friends who have given up after a few years and gone back home with the feeling that all they got from it was a bad,unpleasant experience.
Why would you want to move abroad?
It is definitely not a good idea to think of moving abroad to some remote outback place like Nepal for two years voluntary work,because your relationship with your ex has gone sour or broken up.Similarly,it is not a wise idea to go abroad,trying to evade the law.They will find you.If you do go for the wrong reasons,you will probably living to regret it.
The more positive reason`s you have for settling down abroad,the bigger the chances you will have of success.If you are going due to having a lousy job,a grumpy boss or the lack of interesting food,then you are more than likely to be as unhappy as you were at home,or where you are now.It has been said many times,”The grass is greener on the other side”Believe me, it is not,if you are carrying a lot of emotional baggage and unresolved personal problems.I currently have a friend who is suffering enormously,due to himself,not wishing to return home and sorting some family affairs out.
What you hope to gain from the time abroad
The mere thought of travelling abroad to a new country and culture should have you eagerly raring to go.A lot of this, I believe, boils down to going anywhere with a positive attitude.The more focused you are,the more you will get from being abroad.I am a firm believer that being polite,respectful and humble goes along way to avoiding any unpleasant situations.After 21 years,I am still fully aware that I am a guest in some one else`s country and society.Now a days I can party with The Finnish Hells Angels,Bandito`s and all types and segments of The Finnish Community.
I have gained a wealth of Finnish History and immersed my self it to its society and customs.This for me has been a truly positive experience,though of course where there are good experiences,there are bad.Putting those experiences on a weighing scale,it firmly favours the good.I now have international friends,an international wife and a deeper understanding of my self and others.
Have you set realistic expectations
What ever country you chose to move to,remember,you are not going to be fluent in the local language.It may be worth taking an introductory language course before you leave.You may find that you do not actually like the language,as I myself find Finnish to be ugly(as the Finns say.”It sounds like a machine gun”)It is very easy to see yourself in a beautiful panoramic villa setting,sipping nice cool wine and living the life of Riley.But be realistic!I used to have a habit that I believed worked for me and still does to this day.If I go to a strange city or country,I make a bee-line to the nearest away from the city center pub and begin talking with the locals.It is the best way to get local knowledge and also to make some form of contacts, if only by face recognition.
It is amazing how many doors have opened up,by just being honest and letting people know you are new to the area or country.Most people are of a good disposition and only to glad to give a helping hand.
Finally
One thing to always remember and that is to be careful and be aware of the situation around you.If it feels or looks ugly,get out of there and move on.If your like me, you may like living abroad so much that you never will return home.
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I ,really liked your article,especially coupled with the life insurance post I am thinking of moving to iceland,I am lucky that i have a boyfriend there,whats it really like with regards the cold,Good information for me!thanks
Well,regards the weather.Yes it is cold,sometimes as low as -20 C.However it is a dry cold unlike the UK where it is damp and goes through to your very soul and bones.
To tell you the truth,I love going outside in the cold.It is a shock all most like walking in to a glass window.But once your body warms up and your moving around,I see know problems or downsides.
Also you can roll around in the snow and it just brushes of your clothes.It is too cold to wet your coat or trousers.I hoped this answered your query.
Regards,Greg
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