Most common expat mistakes

You can never be 100% aware of what you are going to find when you move to a brand-new country. The moving itself, is no easy task and unexperienced expats and students are prone to make the following common mistakes. In this article, we will give you four common mistakes, expats do or experience when moving to a new country.

Assuming the documents required are still valid

We tend to forget to check the dates of our identity cards, passports, visas and other documents, till it is too late. Ensure that you check that all of your documents are up to date, furthermore, make yourself aware of the new country’s requirements. In some countries, they require that your passport is valid for at least six months after the date of your return flight.

Underestimating your budget

If you never moved before, you might be unaware of the amount of money required for a transition. You have to literally think of every mishap possible. Especially if something happens to you, (health wise) during your trip. This might end up costing you a significant amount of money and can make things very stressful. Ensure that you always have some back up money saved up before your move. Another common mistake is that you overspend during your first weeks/months there. Manage your finances effectively and efficiently.

Underestimating language barriers

Even if there is a part of the population that speaks English, it is always beneficial to learn the native language. Apart from the discounts and non-tourists’ prices, learning the language will even make it easier to interact with the locals and participate in conversations. Sign language can suffice for a short period, however, in the long run you might start feeling out of place unless you know the language. Make an effort to at least learn the basics before you move, this will make it much easier to learn the language properly once you move to the new country.

Not visiting the country before

Forget what you see on the media or what you heard. You will never entirely know what a country is like until you visit it yourself and get your own opinion about it. Go for a weekend or a short holiday to experience first-hand what it is like to be in that country and what gut feelings you get about the place. Have a look at the areas you plan to live in and make yourself aware that this will likely be your future home.

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