Should I Move Abroad? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself
- Madison White
- Jan 8, 2019
- 2 min read
1. Am I Resilient?
When people ask me about what it was like moving to England, I’ll usually respond with a heavy sigh. Honestly, moving abroad was tough. The visa process (and all its paperwork) was incredibly frustrating, setting up a bank account felt impossible, and making new friends proved way more difficult that I had imagined.
Moving abroad was exhilarating, yes, but it was also incredibly challenging. If you’re thinking of moving abroad, you need to be ready to tackle problems head-on and keep going in the face of adversity.
2. Am I Independent?
Despite living with my partner, I remember feeling incredibly lonely after moving. It easily took me six months to settle in and make friends. If you’re someone who relies heavily on family and close friends, you need to imagine life without them, save for a few text messages.
Moving to another country means truly being on your own. It means being okay with being on your own.
3. Do I Have Savings?
Let’s face it, we’ve all dreamed about quitting our jobs and starting a completely new life in another country. But when you’re actually considering moving abroad, you need a bit more planning than that.
Moving abroad requires many upfront costs, especially if you’re moving somewhere in Europe. You’ll need to cover visa expenses, plane tickets, and be able to support yourself for at least a couple of months.
4. Where Do I Picture Myself in the Future?
Are you envisioning yourself in a different country? Maybe you have no idea what to do with your life and starting a new adventure makes sense. But maybe you envision yourself near your hometown with a family and a stable job.
When I moved, I knew that I wanted to continue my education. Did it make sense to move abroad to do that? In some ways, yes! Of course, life is difficult to plan, but if living abroad doesn’t really contribute to your big life goals, it could just be a distraction.
5. Am I Ready for the Time of My Life?
It’s cheesy, I know, but moving abroad will change you, likely for the better. You’ll meet people you couldn’t imagine meeting, go places you never imagined going. You’ll grow in new and unpredictable ways. Sure, moving abroad is a huge risk. It’s expensive and it’s tough. But it’s a risk that can reap great rewards.
Being a Chinese student and I am studying in the US now is a tough decision in itself. But living abroad is another difficult choice. I don't think I am ready to immigrate abroad, and the visa issue that you mentioned is also very important.
Studying aboard was something I never thought about, but this blog ask great question for people wanting to study aboard. I made my friend read this blog because she wants to study aboard in Spain soon and she find this blog helpful and well thought out.