5 Ways That Moving Abroad Will Change Your Life

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND LEAVE YOUR HOMETOWN. 

If you’re anything like me, you often find yourself getting bored staying in the same place for too long.

Night caps at that quaint hole-in-the-wall bar in your one-horse town, midnight snacking at that tiny backroad diner that somehow became the traditional meeting place for you and your high school buddies is just not making your heart skip a beat the way it used to.

Your university friends have all graduated and found the job of their dreams.

Or maybe, like many of us, they’ve learned to accept defeat and move back home with their parents after the crushing reality that your dream job, does not in fact, just show up to your doorstep immediately after receiving your degree. 

Maybe you’re feeling lost, uninspired, and unsure what direction to go in life.

Or maybe you simply just need a change of scenery, and want to experience what it’s life to start life over in a new place. 

Well then, you’re in the right place.

Here’s my Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Move Abroad and try your hand at life in a new country. 

Yes, seriously. 

How I ended up moving abroad

Prior to ever taking my first real trip abroad or even stepping foot in a country that wasn’t a less than two-hour drive from my own, I had all the same feelings.

I had done well in high school and gone on to graduate college like I was expected to do. After graduating in Spring 2018, I felt accomplished— but I felt incomplete. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my degree, what my passions were, or even where I saw myself in 10 years.

I did, however, know one thing; I wanted to travel.

After landing a decent-paying job that allowed me to save a bit more than I was used to, and a messy break up of a 4-year relationship that propelled me to finally start putting myself first, I booked my first self-care, post-grad, why-the-hell-not 16-day international trip to Thailand.

And just like that, I was hooked.

Koh Phi Phi, Thailand | April 2019

That trip sparked my wanderlust, awakened my hunger to learn new cultures and languages, and gave me the courage to take the plunge and try living abroad in a foreign country.

And, *spoiler alert*– I haven’t looked back since. 

Reasons why you should move abroad 

There are plenty of reasons why I think you should pack up your belongings and move abroad to live in another country- but I’ll name just a few of my favorite. 

1. You don’t miss out on anything back home

Seriously. You don’t. 

So many people skip out on the opportunity to live abroad simply because they’re scared of what they’ll miss out on if they’re not around.

You think that if you move away, your friends and family will forget about you, you’ll miss important life events, will no longer be around for the weekly Bachelorette watch parties with your BFF.

Or even worse– that she’ll find a replacement bestie for the restie.

The reality is, nothing changes.

The places you used to go to, the restaurants you used to frequent, your friends, and family will all still be there and likely still doing the same things, when (and if) you decide to come back. I promise.

2. The experiences you’ll have abroad are unmatched

Living abroad allows you the opportunity to try new things that you wouldn’t normally do back home.

In September 2019, I went to a party at a nightclub INSIDE an aquarium, right across the street from the Eiffel Tower. 

In October 2019, I took a solo trip to Switzerland, where I went paragliding over the Swiss Alps.

Can’t do that in Tracy, California, that’s for sure.

Paragliding in Interlaken, Switzerland | Oct 2019

Everyday living abroad is a new experience, and while you do still have to go to work, make money, and do all the same things you’re used to doing back home, it’s still slightly more interesting.

3. You feel special

By living in a foreign country, you get to experience what it’s like being the outsider, or a “foreigner”, if you will. 

People often think you’re cool or interesting – solely because you come from a different country or are different from them.

And because of this, often times they treat you better (most of the time, definitely not always).

4. Culture, culture, culture

Voilà, the number one most obvious, (and maybe most important) reason on the list.

Moving abroad and immersing yourself in a new culture is the quickest way to learn about a country and its people. You will pick up the customs, common sayings, mannerisms, and habits of the people in the country that you may not fully experience if you were just visiting a country.

But also, the food. I could write a post for days just on the food alone.

Related: 46 of the Most Delicious French Foods to Try

Seafood Pasta in Rome, Italy | Jan 2020

Living abroad gives you the opportunity to meet so many people from all over the world, and not only have the opportunity to learn about their cultures and history – but have the opportunity to share your culture and traditions with others as well. 

5. The opportunity to grow

Not only do you learn a lot about other cultures, likely a new language, and maybe how to cook a few of the local delicacies; you also learn a lot about yourself. 

Living abroad, and living abroad alone especially, gives you the fast-track pass to some serious introspection and self-reflection.

Being alone in a new place far from your norm allows you to grow, mature, and learn more about yourself. The level of confidence you’ll feel after having successfully started a life that you love in a new country alone is unmatched.

And if you can achieve that, than nothing else in life will ever be harder – you will truly be able to conquer anything. 

SO, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOU?

En bref, sometimes you just have to start before you’re ready. 

If I wouldn’t have moved abroad when I did, I don’t think I would’ve ever had the courage to pull the trigger, and I never would’ve had the chance to learn the things I have that make me who I am today.

The positives you will experience from starting a new life abroad will far outweigh the possible negatives.

So don’t let the fear of missing out hold you back.Punch fear in the face. 

Buy the ticket.

Trust me, you’ll be happy you did.