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Moving Abroad

Chemical Samile

Chemical Samile

Bluelighter
Joined
Nov 20, 2010
Messages
350
Just wondering if anyone has taken the plunge and lived in a foreign country for an extended period?

I'll be leaving my home country shortly for a warmer climate and wanted to hear from others that had done something similar. Any tips on settling into their new abode, meeting people and generally getting to grips with the new surroundings?

I'm really looking forward to it - the job will be great, the location is cracking and its something I've wanted to do for as long as I can remember. I'm OK at the moment, but I know as the date draws closer I'll be a jibbering wreck ;)
 
I know Jamshyd has taken the plunge, I have done so myself but not for an extended period and I had a support network already so it was easy. Been looking to do the same again in the near future in a new locale and so far research has been key. Knowing what you are heading into is definitely the way to avoid getting stressed.

If you have a country in mind find their immigration agency/bureau site and see first of all what kind of credentials suits your intended visit best, and what the qualifications are. When I was looking at going to Australia I found out that a working visa was the best match for me, but also that the government demands proof of at least $5000 in my savings account before they would grant me one. In some cases, it isn't just as easy as hopping on a plane and figuring things out after arrival.

If you happen to live in America now, you'll find that meeting people virtually anywhere else is a hell of a lot easier and that is something you can definitely figure out after arriving. Finding a job, however, is a different ball game. Gotta find answers to questions like: what is the job market like there? is my field of knowledge in demand? are my skills diverse enough to be applied universally?

Don't forget other important considerations, like medical insurance. You just never know what kind of shit can happen to you in a foreign country, so being at least as prepared as you are for emergencies here at home is wise.
 
I'm planning at the moment to do it within the year but it might only be for 6 months or so if it goes ahead. Brazil or Thailand I'm thinking. Teach English. We shall see what happens.
 
Cheers thujone, but work is all sorted so that is nothing to be worried about. Granted it would have been a major consideration had it not been, but the credentials, visa, insurance and employment is not an issue.

The one thing (aside from actually finding accommodation type/location) that could put a dampener on it is the meeting people aspect. There will be people from work that I can socialise with, but it would be fucking depressing if ‘work mates’ were my only social group. Everyone I've spoken to says it won't be an issue, you're a likable guy etc. But I imagine at the time, when I first land it will be pretty daunting. Just wanted to hear from others who've done something similar.

I can't help but think its a difficult (sad) prospect going up to a group of people and saying 'hi guys, I haven't got any mates, will you be my friends' :D

Thanks TINK - from what I've heard about the place (and I'm deliberately not mentioning where, probably being overly paranoid but you can appreciate why ;) ), I'm sure it will be amazing and I'm worrying about nothing.

Spade, you will probably have some decent advice for me - PM sent!

Hobhead - where did you end up in the peace corp? How was it adjusting to a different way of life etc?
 
^ where are you moving?

i moved from the uk to the u.s. about 18 years ago. my move was easy for a couple of reasons: my company paid to relocate me; i didn't have to learn a foreign language.

i had a gut feeling when i moved that i would be here for some time. i became a u.s. citizen a few months ago and i think i'm here to stay :)

alasdair
 
Chemsmiles: Did you mention what your going over there for? or what your going over there for? Are you going for a job? Are you getting a job whne you get there?

Alot of peple go to teach, and most of those jobs are through coponies that help you get set up. I have a two friends living in South Korea, and another who was there for a year and is back now. They all taugt englsh, make good money, have all their housing taken care of and so on.

Also you really need to consider that if your coming from America, we american are the laziest langouse fuckers on earth. Language barriers are not as bad as you might think.

I am planning on teching somehwere over sea's for atleast a year as soon as I have my masters. I finish in december but will likely start browsing and applying for jobs during the summer. If My time is perfact I would have my school done in decembver, visit family during christmas and get most of my life moved back to FL and be on the way somewhere by jan or feb. of 2012.

Ideally I would like to go somewhere where I am still teaching art, which is very possible. If no art jobs are around I am totally okay with teaching english.

I think your situation is going to have a big impact on your questions. If your getting hooked up trough a company then your way more likely of meeting people right off the bat.

I imagine it wont be much different then any other time you move to a strange place you have never seen where you know not a soul. I love that feeling.

If your doing a
 
Yeah I think moving from Canada to the US is not considered abroad but it was one of the best decisions I have made.
 
Aye, the job is all hooked up and that’s not an issue – I think I'm worrying over nothing :)

To be fair, I think there will definitely be a mix of excitement/nervousness, but excitement is for sure gonna overriding emotion! This is something I've wanted to do for as long as I can remember. Perhaps its just the apprehension that something I've wanted to do for so long is actually happening?

I've got a funny feeling I will look back at this thread in a few months time and wonder why I was even slightly concerned. It will just be a bit weird leaving everyone and everything I’ve know behind and heading to the other side of the world. But its nice to hear other peoples views on the matter. If anything, they will make me even more eager to get out there :D
 
I thought you were Chemical Smiles. He already lives in the US ;)

My employer took care of the immigration stuff when I moved to the US.
That was the biggest hurdle.

Living here has been easy. I have been here since 1999.
No problem with making friends or getting around.

My employer also hooked me up with a realtor to find an apartment to rent.

After a bit living there I used match.com to find friends as I was not keen with hanging out with work people.
 
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Thanks PI

nekointheclouds said:
PI I totally read that as Chem. Smiles too!!

I just realized this isnt the same person!
Click to expand...

Ha, yeah I spotted Chemical Smiles username after I registered. Guess its an easy source of confusion. Although this is one of the few times I've ventured out of EADD so it hasn't been an issue before :D
 
Well I'm originally from Hungary (central europe) and I moved to Belgium three years ago, with my parents.

I basically had to move, had no choise. I didn't speak the language, but I went to a normal french speaking belgian school, which propably made a big step in fucking up my life. I started getting anxiety the second year (because of the fear of speaking), and had no friends there, since noone spoke english. Then I started an english speaking school where I thaught everything would get better, but these two years took a lot out of me, and depression hit me.

I just hope you won't make the same mistake as I did, and get some friends, any friends, socialize a lot. Best of luck fo you.
 
I've been feeling the need to take the plunge as well recently.

I feel like I've become stagnant in my country (USA) and I need to get away from it all.
Once, when I was an adolescent, I lived in Western Samoa (South Pacific) for a year. I feel like it ticked something in my brain, upon return I became unhappy with my dysfunctional country and can barely contain my urges to just pack up and run.

Problem is, I have a drug felony, which limits my options a lot :(
Also, absolutely no cash.

So it seems I'm stuck here for the time being, But I really want to get certified as a foreign english teacher so I can work & travel in places like SE Asia (thailand vietnam and laos being 3 top destinations), Africa, etc...

For now, I continue to dream...
 
Just make sure that you are adaptable to your new surroundings, and do some research about where you'll be moving to so you hopefully won't have as much culture shock. Also look up some things on generally accepted behavior/customs, like things such as taking off shoes before entering someones house/how to greet people, etc. If the country speaks a language other than your own, it probably wouldn't hurt to pick up some basic phrases to help you get along :) There might even be someone on BL who is from the country that you're going to who could help you out!
I've lived in 5 different countries (mostly SE Asia) and the longest time I have lived anywhere is 4 years, so I've got a little bit of experience living in foreign countries.
 
I know a lot of people who spend a semester abroad and they all loved it. It wasn't that hard for them to meet new people since they were doing it through their school. If I were you I'd justmstart up some convos at your work and just ask what there is for fun around there, and tell them your new and wanna meet new people. You'll probably be embraced no problem.

Your concerns are justified, I mean, your gonna be living somewhere completely new with no one you know, far as hell from home. I always loved the idea of just up and leaving one day to somewhere completely random. It gives me such a sense of freedom and adventure.

I'm jealous wanna hide me in your luggage?
 
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