Advantages & Disadvantages of Living Abroad
Advantages & Disadvantages of Living Abroad
There are many reasons a person may end up living abroad: military service, work requirements, marriage and higher education, to name a few. It is an exciting prospect but can be a daunting one, as well. There are pros and cons to becoming an expatriate, so be sure to weigh each side before making the big move.
Culture * At first, adapting to your new country may be met with many challenges as you try to get used to the different culture. Everything from the currency exchange rate to the national holidays to the weather will take some getting used to. You will need to adapt to the social customs of the people, the shop hours, the work ethic, the cuisine and so on. On the other hand, you may end up preferring some of your adopted country's customs to your own and have a new appreciation for previously unfamiliar conventions.
Distance
* Homesickness is a common complaint among new expatriates. Many say it takes up to two years to fully assimilate into a new culture and lessen feelings of loneliness. Depending on your financial situation and the distance between you and your family and friends at home, visits may be few and far between. Fortunately, technology can help you get your fix from your loved ones in the form of phone calls, email, social networking sites and webcams. If you don't have many ties in your home country, however, moving abroad can give you that fresh start you might be craving.
Language
* It is very difficult to live on a day-to-day basis where your communication skills are limited by a language that is foreign to you. If you are moving to a country where your first language is not their first language (or not spoken at all), you will want to start learning the native language right away. Even if you share a common language with your new country, you may be surprised at the confusion you may still face. For example, you may speak American English and move to the U.K. or Australia.
There are many reasons a person may end up living abroad: military service, work requirements, marriage and higher education, to name a few. It is an exciting prospect but can be a daunting one, as well. There are pros and cons to becoming an expatriate, so be sure to weigh each side before making the big move.
Culture * At first, adapting to your new country may be met with many challenges as you try to get used to the different culture. Everything from the currency exchange rate to the national holidays to the weather will take some getting used to. You will need to adapt to the social customs of the people, the shop hours, the work ethic, the cuisine and so on. On the other hand, you may end up preferring some of your adopted country's customs to your own and have a new appreciation for previously unfamiliar conventions.
Distance
* Homesickness is a common complaint among new expatriates. Many say it takes up to two years to fully assimilate into a new culture and lessen feelings of loneliness. Depending on your financial situation and the distance between you and your family and friends at home, visits may be few and far between. Fortunately, technology can help you get your fix from your loved ones in the form of phone calls, email, social networking sites and webcams. If you don't have many ties in your home country, however, moving abroad can give you that fresh start you might be craving.
Language
* It is very difficult to live on a day-to-day basis where your communication skills are limited by a language that is foreign to you. If you are moving to a country where your first language is not their first language (or not spoken at all), you will want to start learning the native language right away. Even if you share a common language with your new country, you may be surprised at the confusion you may still face. For example, you may speak American English and move to the U.K. or Australia.