Surprising benefits of moving abroad

Moving abroad is a learning experience in itself; dealing with the move, packing and all the paperwork involved teaches you just how resilient you really are. But it's not until you've settled into your new surroundings that the real lessons begin, and you realise there are more benefits to moving than a pay rise and year round sun.

- Shyness is a hurdle you will need to jump over quickly. As an ex-pat, you have to get used to meeting and socialising with strangers, unless you're OK with being lonely. Accept any invitation you receive in your new home, and go from there. You’ll have loads of choice if you just reach out.

- Being an ex-pat is an excellent opportunity to explore any interests and talents you've always had but have never got around to exploring. This not only helps you gain independence by branching out on your own, but it also keeps you busy and meeting new people.

- Being the partner of the person who's the reason for your move adds a lot more complexity to a relationship, making essential values such as flexibility and patience more important than ever. Both partners need to be committed to being open minded about the challenges they will face when one or both are moving to a new country. Once in a new environment you should try to be a bit more open to trying new things, and those who are already in their home country need to accept that some things they take for granted may not be (at least immediately) considered normal to their immigrant partner. Stubbornness and resistance to change can cause roadblocks and unhappiness in any relationship, but can be the downfall of an ex-pat relationship. If you can handle the first tricky months together, then you can handle almost anything!

- Culture shock is not something that may happen, but something that will happen. This may come as a surprise, but English speaking people do not all share the same culture! The differences in cultural values and norms can be even more confusing because our expectations don’t always allow for this, and we arrive unprepared.

- Being an ex-pat is something you never really get used to 100%. It is true, in a sense, that ‘you can’t go home again’. Don’t underestimate the profound change becoming an ex-pat will have on your life and you as an person. It is often hard work - not to mention challenging - but overall, it’s fun! 

For more advice and information, and lots of exciting overseas job opportunities, have a look at the Acorn Global website.

Helen Lock