10 Tips to Make the Most Out of Living Abroad

Moving abroad to a new country is such an exciting decision! I think some of the best decisions I’ve ever made were the ones that involved moving to another country. Living abroad is an experience anyone even remotely interested should give a try.

Although it’s not always all sunshine and rainbows (read my tips on dealing with homesickness), there’s so many good memories to make. If you go in with the right mindset (an open one) and actively work to make those good memories, you are going to love experiencing life abroad!

I’ve compiled a list of my top 10 tips for making the most from living abroad, things that I always strive to do to make the most out of my own experiences abroad!

1. Don’t only hang out with people from your country

While it is a good idea to have friends from the same country as you to hang out with when you’re dealing with homesickness, it is much too easy to become too comfortable being around what you’re used to. Try to make friends with people from as many countries as possible for rewarding friendships that will teach you new ways of looking at the world and experiencing life.

Bonus points if those people are natives of the city or country where you are living. That way you can become more integrated in the country’s society and see the country you are now calling home from the perspective of someone who has called it home for their entire life.

2. UNDERPACK!!!

I cannot stress enough how much I wish I took this advice myself. Whenever I’m packing up my life after a long period abroad, I always hate myself for bringing so much with me. That’s because I always accumulate so much more stuff than I came with, and I always have to leave stuff behind.

The next time I move abroad, I plan to leave extra space in my suitcase, and I recommend it for everyone!

I usually go on a shopping trip before a big trip or moving abroad so that I have new clothes to wear for the new experiences I will have, and I know many of my friends do the same.

But it’s actually better to do this shopping trip once you’re abroad, and that way your new clothes will fit the fashion of the country you’re in, and you can treat your new purchases as souvenirs to remember the memories you will make wearing them!

3. Join groups online

Meeting new people is easier than ever with various online platforms that exist for just that purpose.

Meetup.com is a great way to make new friends that have similar interests to you. You can choose from a wide variety of different activities or events you want to attend, and meet other people who have the same hobbies as you.

Another good option is to join Facebook groups, such as meet up or expat groups in the place you’re moving to. These groups are a great way to easily access a community of people who are also looking to make new friends!

4. Volunteer

This is an amazing way to meet new people and contribute to the new community you’re now a part of at the same time! There’s really no better way to integrate positively into a new home!

You can volunteer, for example, at a homeless shelter, teaching/tutoring or at local NGOs. Simply Google search volunteering in the city you’re moving to, and choose from the options! Another option is to ask around friends and acquaintances to see if they know of any organizations looking for volunteers.

5. Travel the Entire Country- Don’t Just Stay in the City You’re Living In

Even if you’re living in a big city with lots to keep you occupied, you should visit the rest of the country too! Different parts of the country often have different cultures and experiences, and it would be a shame if you missed out on them!

Also, even small countries have a lot to offer! I was living in the Netherlands, which is a tiny country, smaller even than my home state of Illinois, and I had more than enough cities and towns to visit there!

6. Travel Outside of the Country You Moved To; Explore the Region!

You’re already in the area, so take advantage of it! Look for cheap bus or train tickets to nearby countries and add even more memories and experiences to your list.

It could be really fascinating to be able to compare the country you’re living in to other countries nearby. How are they similar? How are they different?

For example, even though Belgium and the Netherlands were once the same country and have lots of similarities as a result, I noticed lots of differences between the two countries that made me see the new country I was living in, the Netherlands, in a different way.

7. Learn the Language

This is an obvious one, as I’m sure everyone knows that the best way to learn a language is living abroad somewhere that it’s spoken.

It’s really true, even if you had no prior experience with the language. I spent a summer teaching in Brazil and knew zero Portuguese before going there; after being thrown into a community where no one else spoke English, I was nearly fluent in Portuguese after just a few weeks.

It’s easy to resort back to English, so make sure you don’t have that safety net if you really want to learn a new language!

Knowing the language of the country you’re living in also gives you better access to experiencing life in that country. Sure, in many places you can get by living in just knowing English, but you will be accepted by natives more and have a better chance of creating bonds with them if you take the effort to learn their language.

8. Learn about the Country’s History and Culture

Knowing about the country’s past can help you better understand your new home in the present! Read up on the history and about the culture, take classes teaching it, talk to natives you befriend and go to museums.

To make the most out of your experience living abroad, make yourself into an expert on the country you have decided on calling your new home.

9. Participate in the Country’s Traditions

It’s one thing to read about the country’s culture, but a completely other thing to actually witness and participate in it!

The easiest way to do this if you befriend a local and ask them to tell you about traditions the country has, such as holidays and how they’re celebrated. Ask about any celebrations you can come join in on, and have your new friend(s) explain their origins and purposes.

10. Eat (and Learn How to Cook) the Country’s Food

I don’t know about you guys, but I love food! And I love finding new favorite foods while going abroad and experimenting with cooking new meals. Living in a new country is a great way to do this!

Take cooking classes from a local or just ask a new friend you made to teach you how to make their favorite traditional foods. If you don’t like to cook, have someone else cook traditional food for you by simply going to a restaurant and enjoying the food there.

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I hope you will be able to try all of these tips out if you’re planning on living abroad and that you enjoy doing all of them! Have an awesome experience and comment below where you’re moving abroad!