General Expat FAQs

Moving abroad is never easy, as there are a lot of things that need to be taken into account. In order to help you with your moving, we will give you some of the most frequently asked questions by expats.

How to prepare yourself for a move abroad?

Plan well ahead and do a lot of research. You are going into the unknown, therefore, in order to be aware of what to expect you need to familiarize yourself with the place as much as possible. Most of the time, it is recommended that you visit the new destination before moving permanently or for a long term. This will also eventually help you in terms of finding the area you want to live in. Another great way to make your move easier is to at least learn the basics of the language.

How can I learn the language?

There are many ways to do this and the more you know, the easier it will be for you to communicate and interact with the locals. Consider private lessons, public classes, internet and foreign friends. By knowing the basics, it will be much easier for you to understand and learn quicker the language.

How to you maintain a high cost of living?

One of the first things you need to do is to create a budget and stick to it. In order to create a sufficient budget, you need to take into consideration the income received, expenses and a savings goal. With that being said, everyone has different standards of living which can alter the cost of living quite greatly.

How to manage with cultural shocks?

When travelling to a new country, it is quite common to experience some form of cultural shock. With that being said, not everyone experiences and battles it in the same way. Reverting back to the first question, in this case the more you plan and research about the destination, the less unprepared you are.

Do expat blogs really help?

The answer is yes! There are many benefits to following one or more expat blogs, even if you are not an avid participant. In some of the expat blogs, you can learn from other expat’s experiences. Despite that many blogs have valid and honest information, you have to be cautious which blogs you follow. Another major advantage with expat blogs is that you get to know all the cool expat hangouts and helpful tips.