If you are thinking of moving overseas, you are in the right place. Why not get some perspective from people who have been there and done it before you? Learn from their mistakes and know what pitfalls to avoid to create a better experience for you. Here are five tips from old travelers. 

Bad Days 

When you first have the idea to live abroad, you imagine all the amazing, exciting experiences you can’t wait to have. There’s no doubt that living overseas is exciting and joyous, but you have to stay realistic about the experience as well. Bad days come along more often than you think. 

Remember, you are in another country; you may not know the language very well, and you don’t have the same support network as natives. Chances are you will miss your friends and family from time to time as well. Manage your expectations when traveling and maintain perspective.     

Cultural Differences 

No matter how hard you try to integrate into your new community, you will always be an incomer, and cultural differences will always exist. The degree to which you are integrated into the community sometimes depends on the country and other times on your personality. 

Countries in South America, Europe, and Africa, can be very easy to integrate into; they are friendly and open to outsiders. However, you might have a tougher time integrating into some Asian countries that can have very rigid cultural norms. Expect to be a long-term outsider.      

Language Skills 

Most people want to learn a new language when traveling or living abroad, but it’s also easier said than done, depending on the language. For instance, Japanese and Chinese are tougher to learn – as is any language that doesn’t use the Romanized alphabet – but it’s worth the effort. 

Even if you can speak a little of the language and you make an effort, it shows that you are trying to integrate, and people tend to help you out. Additionally, some countries have travel nursing jobs all over the country for professionals, and a language can support your application.  

Loved Ones 

Setting off for a new life abroad is existing and adventurous. For the first weeks and months, you probably won’t miss friends and family – you’ll be too busy meeting new people and settling into your new home. But this won’t last forever; eventually, you are going to miss your people. 

On those difficult, lonely days, you will wish you had a friend or relative to reach out to, but you will be in a different time zone; you will also be far apart in terms of your lifestyles and everyday concerns. Make sure you maintain your relationships when traveling and have some support.   

Coming Back 

It might be easy to imagine that you can return home anytime and pick up where you left off, but that is not always the case. Moving abroad is a big decision, and you will start building a life intentionally. It will be hard to give up and return to a life that no longer exists except in memory.