mytropicalescape.com

For some it is hard to resist the allure of a move overseas and the thought of becoming an expat. Whether it is for work, or for other more personal reasons, living in a foreign country can be tremendously satisfying. However, going to another country to establish a new life, I believe, comes with some responsibility and below I would like to present five tips that every aspiring expat should know and think about before they pack their bags:

• do some research - make sure you can legally work in the country you wish to relocate to (this includes volunteering).
• realize that your life will not improve if you are trying to escape demons, whatever your issues are at home they will only be magnified overseas.
• respect local customs and cultural differences.
• remember you are not in your home country so try to go with the flow.
• no matter how long you live in a foreign country you are still a guest in someone else’s country.

These tips are not meant to be condescending or cynical. Unfortunately, we have seen many people move overseas only to be drastically disappointed because their particular brand of hair gel was not available. Or, because “things do not run like this in their country.”

If you decide to move overseas – GOOD LUCK - and for further information, you may wish to read Adjusting to Life Overseas.