Part 1 of a series on moving abroad.
Moving abroad is not for everyone. One might even say that it’s not for the faint of heart. If you are considering moving abroad, you probably already know that this will be one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in your life. Moving out of one’s home country involves a paradigm shift, but for some individuals it is the best option and may even assist in self-concept clarity.
I'm a psychologist who has lived in various nations and hope to offer information that might not be provided in guidebooks, but this is not meant to be comprehensive. This is neither written as an endorsement nor an opposition to moving abroad, but instead as a means of providing points to mull over and research on one’s path of exploration and decision into this potential option.
There are numerous reasons people choose to move abroad and just as many reasons that individuals choose to stay in their home country. There are obviously pros and cons to every nation, and the decision to move abroad is a very personal and complicated one. It may feel like starting over in some ways if you move abroad. So, there are many questions to ponder before embarking on this journey of discovery, which is not one to be taken lightly.
Let’s begin this voyage of exploration with an investigation into one’s reasons for moving and important points about one’s personality and relationships to contemplate while considering if moving abroad is right for you.
1. My personality: Am I suited to living abroad?
Are you an adventurous person open to new experiences and cultures? Or are you a homebody who prefers predictability and cringes at the thought of big change? While the homebody who likes predictability may be able to handle the move abroad, the adjustment will probably be more difficult for them than for those who are open to new experiences and/or extraverted. Would the country or countries to which you are considering moving be a good fit for your personality?
2. What’s my reason for moving?
Delving deeper into yourself and your personal journey of discovery in this decision, an important aspect to ponder is whether you might be running from yourself, a relationship, or possibly a difficult or painful past. You’ll want to think about whether there is a valid and logical reason for the move, such as leaving your current country due to the political or safety situation, or maybe you’ve been drawn to a particular country for a long time.
Your reason for moving is a very personal question and one that only you can answer for yourself. One adage I like is: “No matter where I run, I’m still there.” If the answer to why you are moving might be running from yourself or from painful relationships, that is not the best reason to move abroad. However, if this is a decision that is well thought-out and logical, then the move may be a better idea for you.
3. Our relationships are affected by a move abroad.
Another question to mull over is regarding your relationships affected by the move. If you are moving with a loved one or family, you will want to have many conversations about, and delve deeply into, the feelings (and concerns) of all those potentially moving abroad with you. In fact, this will need to be an ongoing conversation between all family members (and romantic partners) contemplating moving abroad. Each potentially moving member will want to consider their personality, as well as factors such as their own cultural empathy in this decision. If you have children living at home, you will want to discuss the move extensively with your kids and discern how it might impact them.
All individuals who might be moving will want to consider how they feel about potentially leaving family and friends in their current country. While there are certainly methods of remaining in contact (phone, video chat, social media, etc.), you will want to think about whether these forms of contact will be enough until you can be together again in person.
4. Reality check: Is the “grass really greener” in a different country? Find out!
Consider whether this is merely a “grass is greener” phenomenon or if the situation in the target country would bring you more peace than in your current country. It’s common to think, “I’ll be happy when such-and-such happens” (putting one’s happiness in the future). However, you will want to ponder if this might be a romanticized view of the move or whether the situation is actually better in the target country than in your current country.
It may be that the situation in the target country is quite a bit better than your current country; the key to discerning the answer to this question is: research. Research the country of interest! Then visit the target country! Find out everything you possibly can about potential target countries.
5. Our furry friends and a move abroad.
Another important consideration is for those with furry family members who plan on taking the pet(s) to the new country. If you are taking a plane to the target nation, it becomes an even bigger consideration since it may be potentially traumatic and even dangerous for the pet to ride in the plane’s luggage compartment. While some pets may be relatively unscathed by the trip, others may not be so fortunate. Airlines vary considerably in their safety records for pet transportation.
For those with a dog or cat small enough to fit under the plane seat, the issue may be minimal; however, for larger pets there is much to consider in a move abroad. The major exception would be a pet classified and trained as a physical or psychiatric service animal, as they ride in the cabin of the plane. In the past, there were airlines that accepted emotional support animals, but very few airlines recognize this classification currently.
Additionally, it is essential to find out if the target country has a quarantine requirement for incoming animals, as this may also be traumatic to pets and pet parents. Be sure to start checking on the documentation and vaccination requirements for the internationally traveling pet early on in your research. For those moving abroad with pets, one’s research process can include online groups for international pet travel.
Just a quick reminder that if you are considering a move abroad, one of the first things you’ll need to do is make sure you have a valid and current passport. If you need a new passport, be sure to check on the current passport processing times in your home country, as this may vary considerably.
In Part 2 of this series, we'll delve into exploring and researching target countries, as well as important factors to consider when contemplating target countries for an international move.
5 Questions to Ask Yourself About Moving Abroad
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29.03.2024
Part 1 of a series on moving abroad.
Moving abroad is not for everyone. One might even say that it’s not for the faint of heart. If you are considering moving abroad, you probably already know that this will be one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in your life. Moving out of one’s home country involves a paradigm shift, but for some individuals it is the best option and may even assist in self-concept clarity.
I'm a psychologist who has lived in various nations and hope to offer information that might not be provided in guidebooks, but this is not meant to be comprehensive. This is neither written as an endorsement nor an opposition to moving abroad, but instead as a means of providing points to mull over and research on one’s path of exploration and decision into this potential option.
There are numerous reasons people choose to move abroad and just as many reasons that individuals choose to stay in their home country. There are obviously pros and cons to every nation, and the decision to move abroad is a very personal and complicated one. It may feel like starting over in some ways if you move abroad. So, there are many questions to ponder before embarking on this journey of discovery, which is not one to be taken lightly.
Let’s begin this voyage of exploration with an investigation into one’s reasons for moving and important points about one’s personality and relationships to contemplate while considering if moving abroad is right for you.
1. My personality: Am I suited to living abroad?
Are you an adventurous person open to new experiences and cultures? Or are you a homebody who prefers predictability and cringes at the thought of big........
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