So… you’re thinking about moving to another country. By yourself.
Maybe it’s about studying. Probably working. Maybe you’ll shake things up and see what life looks like somewhere from what you know. Whatever the reason – a travel bug, a career jump, or a gut instinct – it’s a big move. Something that allows you to turn your entire world upside down in the most unexpected ways.
You may already have been watching a shiny YouTube YouTube video of a digital nomad drinking coffee in Lisbon, or you may have been watching a YouTube video you are watching. And, of course, some of it is real.
But… many of them rule out the messy middle. Hard parts. Once you land, you’re staring at the window of your small apartment, wondering what you’ll learn, your suitcase in hand.
Pack your bags and chase your dream job, or Studying English in AustraliaRelocating Solo will allow you to open up your world in powerful and unexpected ways.
But before you board the plane, it will help you know you’re really signed up, beyond Instagram highlights and travel checklists.
The travel buzz disappears…and a real adventure comes
That first week or two? That’s expensive. Your eyes are wide and you’ll be soaked in all the new sounds, smells and routines. When I walk around town, I feel like I’m still in a movie. But in the end…it drains.
Suddenly, you are standing in a crowded street, flipping your phone over and trying to find a bus that may or may not exist. Or you find yourself stuck trying to buy shampoo and unable to read the words on the label.
And then it was when it was a hit. This is not a trip. This is the real life right now.
Travel tips at this stage? Expect a bit of confusion. Culture shocks aren’t just about the big difference. It sneaks through small everyday things. Please put it in. Let it pass.
There’s nothing strange and random
It’s not just the people you’re missing. Sounds, smells, corner coffee shop. The way your hometown feels at dusk. Even in your dentist’s waiting room somehow.
You will find yourself craving something oddly concrete. Like a snack that doesn’t exist here. Or the smell of laundry detergent coming home.
Sometimes all you need is a single song to throw you into the nostalgia spiral. And that’s fine. You are human.
This is what helps: Try building a little of the familiar ritual. Call someone while you’re on a walk. Make a comfortable meal from home. Wear that sweatshirt you’ve had for years. Small things will lock you in more than you think.
Making friends is difficult…and worth every nasty moment
If you are used to friendships that naturally form through school, work, or mutual friends, starting overseas can feel like emotional skydiving. You have to be intentional. It’s a little bolder than usual.
And honestly… it can feel very awkward at first. You may say yes to the dinner invitation, show up without anyone knowing, and spend a half-night nodding to the conversation you barely follow. Not yet. You have appeared. That’s the important part.
How to make this easier?
- Even if your grammar is terrible, I’ll go for a language exchange
- Join a local hobby group, club or volunteer circle
- For those who start a conversation – even if it’s strange
- Accept that not all connections are clicked. Some… not
But what do you do? They will become your travel family. It’s like friendships that only form when you’re navigating the same foreign turmoil.
Travel is more about living, not about watching
When you’re not on vacation, everything changes. This is not about Check the landmarks already. It’s about learning how to buy groceries in a new currency. How to laugh at yourself when you slaughter sentences. A way to move slower and deeper.
Start to understand countries beyond the postcard version. Not only tourist spots, but daily rhythms. Local shortcuts. Inner joke.
It’s a trip that will change you – not just where you go, but how you see everything.
You’ll probably change… lot
And it’s not always comfortable.
You may start picking up phrases you never imagined. Reach home and adopt a routine that doesn’t look like your life. Your fashion sense may change. Your politics may become softer or sharper. You may surprise yourself with who you are.
Being out of your comfort zone resets some kind of power. Drop the old label. Try a new version of yourself. Some sticks. Some people don’t.
You can ask – perhaps for the first time in years – who am I really, no one around me expects anything?
One day I just smoke. The rest is magic.
It’s not always a dreamy sunset or beach walk. One day, you cry in public for no reason. Or you’re sick and desperately hoped your mom lived down the street. Or spend hours filling out a form that doesn’t make sense Google Translation.
But then… there are other days. A day of spontaneous coffee drinking with strangers who turn into friends. Or find yourself in a small town you weren’t planning on visiting and watch the festival unfold around you like a dream.
That’s not a constant high. But when it’s good – it’s really, really good.
Professional tips for moving abroad (actually useful)
These are not magic bullets, but they can soften your landing a bit:
- Learn basic phrases. Even bad pronunciation shows effort.
- Carry a physical map in case your phone fails. it is.
- Create a “Comfort Stash” with your favorite tea, snacks and music.
- Celebrate a small victory: navigate the metro, order food, pay rent.
- Participate in something that gives you a weekly structure, even once a week.
- Don’t wait until you’re desperate for help. Please ask early.
You’re not just moving – you’re traveling differently now
This isn’t like a two-week backpacking trip you took in college. It’s a long-distance type of trip. A fusion of exploration and real life.
Visas have expired, apartments are flooded, and we’re learning too much about foreign health insurance, but there’s a sunset over an unfamiliar roof and meal that will change your taste forever.
It’s a hassle. It’s magic. It’s not for everyone. But that might be exactly that You need.
Final Thoughts
If you’re trying to do this, or even just taking into account it – here’s the truth.
It’s difficult. But you grow in ways you can’t predict. You build resilience, deepen your perspective, and perhaps discover a version of yourself that you feel more than ever before.
Yes, please move abroad. Do it alone if you have to. Don’t think it’s going to be perfect.
Expect it to be authentic.
FAQ
1. Have you stopped feeling strange when you move to a new country alone?
Be honest? It will take some time. One day, it still feels strange…and not all of a sudden. You get used to things, and one day you will find that you are giving directions to tourists without thinking. That’s when you know it’s sinking.
2. What happens if you don’t make friends right away?
You probably won’t. And that’s fine. It takes time, labor intensive, and requires nasty halos that you feel forced at first. But if you stay open, if you really open, you will find your people. Or they will find you. It takes longer than going back home.
3. How can I deal with homesickness without going back?
Build a small house where you are. Playlists, Sunday routines, and your favorite mugs. Also…video calls are useful. Much more than you think. Just hear the familiar voice and you can shift all day long.
4. Is it normal to feel like you’ve made a mistake in the first place?
Completely. Everyone questioned it in their early days. It doesn’t mean you actually did it. It just makes your brain adapt to chaos. Give it a few weeks in advance before making a big decision.
5. What is the most difficult part no one can talk about??
Loneliness during big moments. Like when something cool happens and you want to instinctively tell someone…but they are in a separate time zone. That gap? It gets stabbed occasionally.
6. What made you feel like you’ve been grounded in a new place??
Routine. Even if it’s simple – like a morning walk every Thursday or the same coffee spot. With stability, the new country feels like life, not like travel.
7. Have you ever stopped feeling like an outsider?
Honestly it depends on where you are. Some places are more welcoming, while others take longer. But you learn to carry both things – the outsider lens and Insider Pride. It will become part of your story.
8. Should I learn a local language, even if I’m awful?
yes. It’s important, even if you’re just saying “thank you” or “where is the bus?” Locals are aware. It shows you care. And yeah, you slaughter it at first. Everyone does it. I laugh through it.
9. Are you moving abroad and soloing what you do again?
Definitely. It’s uncomfortable, confused, and deeply fulfilling in most other things. It forces you to grow in a direction you didn’t even know that you existed.
10. What did someone want to say to you before you moved??
It’s okay not to love it right away. That adjustment is not race. And even on a tough day… you’re doing something really brave, whether it feels that way or not.
