Living abroad isn’t easy and not everyone has success at it. The first couple weeks and months are usually exciting, but can also be quite stressful. Expats often struggle to adjust to differences in culture, and those frustrations, combined with missing family and trying to make new friends, can sometimes be enough to convince them to throw in the towel. So, how can you make a success of the expat life? Read on to learn how to be an expat.

How to Be an Expat

1. Familiarize yourself with the area. Before you move do a lot of research, especially regarding the complaints of the area you are considering. Read other articles on how to be an expat in the area where you are looking to move. It can be easy to see everything through rose-colored glasses when you are working 50 hours a week and there is 6 feet of snow outside. Make a list of the pros and cons of the area you are looking into and decide if the trade-off is worth it. In Central America you will find lots of freedom, opportunity and adventure. You won’t find a lot of punctuality or organization. If those things are important to you, consider somewhere else.

2. Have a plan. In the beginning you may be tempted to treat life like an extended vacation. Don’t do it. You will be bored. Check out what kind of activities are popular in the city you are looking into and if there is an expat infrastructure. Find opportunities to explore, try new hobbies, and stay active physically and socially. If you plan to retire, do you want to volunteer? If you are going to work, what will you do? Keeping yourself busy will help you enjoy your newfound freedom while still feeling like you are living a meaningful life.

3. Make sure the whole family is aboard. Have a candid conversation with your spouse/partner/children about the move and find out exactly what they want and what you want. Prep them all on how to be an expat. Chances are if you do your research you will be able to find a place that accommodates everyone.

4. Give it time. In the beginning you will likely feel slightly overwhelmed, but excited by the change. As time passes you will almost certainly hit a lull, particularly as you struggle to adjust to the climate and the language. Do yourself a favor and focus on the positives, the reasons why you moved there in the first place. Then take at least 6 more months to make a decision, approaching each day with a positive attitude. You’ll likely find that as you adjust you fall even more in love that you could ever have imagined with your new home.

What are your tips for how to be an expat? Share them with us in the comment’s section below.

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