Throughout college, I had an interest in living abroad but, unfortunately, the study abroad and internship programs were all so expensive! After spending some time in the international affairs office asking about and applying for grants and scholarships but having no luck, I gave up that dream. Towards the end of senior year, I learned about CIEE’s Teach Abroad program, and my interest was sparked yet again! I applied, got accepted, paid my money, and was set to leave shortly after graduation to head to Spain for 3 months. Although I was excited, a huge part of me was extremely nervous. I didn’t know the language, I had never traveled internationally on my own, I would be living with strangers, I didn’t have any friends participating, I was worried I would come back broke, and although I went months at a time not seeing family during college, living 4,000 miles away from them was terrifying! These fears (and more) are very real and very common for people looking to live abroad and can be hard to overcome if you don’t know what to expect. Hopefully, this post will help ease your mind a bit if you are considering taking a leap! And no matter what, remember YOU GOT THIS!
Money
I don’t know about you but money has always been an area of concern for me. Not in the sense of currently struggling because I have been blessed with a job that supports me very well financially. But rather, I’ve always been an avid saver and a “money hoarder” partially being responsible but also out of concern of it eventually running out when I need it. Over the last 2 years, I have become more comfortable taking care of my needs and then spending strategically on my wants afterward instead of unintentionally punishing myself. Understanding this also made me realize that I could definitely follow my dreams of living abroad, I just needed to be strategic about it.
Of course, if your goal is specifically to study abroad, scholarships and grants would probably be the best way to make your trip more affordable. If you have family and friends willing to support you, this could also be a big help. However, if your goal is simply to live abroad, being flexible in your options will take you a long way! If a program in Italy costs $10,000 but a program in Thailand costs $5,000, consider switching locations. A 6-month program may be a more budget-friendly option than a year-long program. While studying abroad can be expensive, teaching abroad or being an au pair are often less expensive and even have options that pay you. The more flexible you are, the more budget-friendly options you’ll have!
Budgeting and saving will be extremely important! My 3 month teach abroad program cost $900 and my roundtrip flight to Spain cost $800. Through my program, housing, meals, and transportation to and from school were all included. Considering those expenses and any potential discretionary spending, I budgeted to have at least $3000 saved to cover my full 3 months. Especially if you do not have a job lined up upon your return, I would also recommend having an emergency fund equal to about 3 months’ living expenses for after your program ends. It may be necessary to change some of your spending habits now to ensure you get there later (see my money savings tips here). Understanding and preparing your finances beforehand is the best way to ensure that when you are ready to go, you will be able to spend your time exploring instead of worrying.
Logistics (Housing, Transportation, Insurance, Mobile Data, etc.)
My number 1 suggestion is to sign up for a program that handles all of the logistics for you! My program covered my housing, transportation, international insurance, visa requirements, background checks, etc. Although these programs may cost a bit more than planning these kinds of trips on your own, I think it's totally worth it to make the process as stress-free as possible. If your program does not necessarily take care of full logistics for you but still has people and resources available to assist you, take advantage of that as well.
If you are in a position where you have to take care of logistics on your own, Google will be your best friend. You can typically find visa information on the U.S travel website or on the official website of whatever country you are visiting. I would recommend starting this process as early as possible as it can sometimes be a bit lengthy. Although I did not need to search for housing, this article seems to have some good suggestions for international accommodation websites. If you are having to figure out transportation on your own, it's likely because you will be living in a big city. From my experience, public transportation abroad is pretty easy to understand and Google Maps is a trustworthy resource to help you figure it out. I’ll be writing a blog post later detailing my experiences navigating foreign countries. If you will be living abroad, it’s important to get international insurance so that you are covered should anything happen. My program used iNext, but I believe companies such as Cigna and Aetna also offer global insurance if you want a familiar name. Lastly, if you will be abroad for an extended period of time, I would recommend getting a local SIM card for whichever country you are in. International roaming charges can get pretty expensive and unlocking your phone to allow for a different SIM card can save you a lot. I’ll also write a post later on about navigating without a data plan because it is an option that is typically overlooked.
Language
Living in a Spanish-speaking country without knowing the language was kinda difficult, not gonna lie. And if you end up in a small town like me, it may be even more of an adjustment because very few people will be able to speak English. My number 1 tip to handling this is to remember why you are living abroad to begin with! It’s highly likely that your main reason for living abroad was to experience a new culture and language is a big part of that. You cannot and should not expect everyone around you to speak your language. Not only can this seem entitled, but it takes away from your chance to have an authentic experience. Instead, embrace the opportunity to learn at least a little bit of the national language. It will be hard and you may struggle a bit but it's all part of a super cool experience that you may not get again.
As far as tips for navigating the country without knowing the language, I recommend trying to learn some key phrases, using body language, pictures, written words, and objects to communicate, using Google Translate, and asking the locals for help.
Safety
I have never been the person to avoid international travel because something could happen because the reality is that something could happen right here at home. You can watch the local news and learn about just as many (if not more) robberies, abductions, and killings in your own town as you could hear abroad yet somehow you are not afraid to leave your home here. In fact, the U.S ranked 121/163 on the 2020 Global Peace Index, a globally acknowledged list measuring the peacefulness of countries based on 23 indicators including homicide, political terror, jailed population, and violent crime. So if you still move freely here at home, there is no reason to avoid living life just because of international “what ifs.”
In my opinion, just take the same precautions you would at home while abroad and you’ll be fine. Just like you avoid dangerous neighborhoods here at home, don’t randomly roam into off-the-beaten-path areas you have no business being in abroad. Carry your valuables in front of you and don’t walk around with your money unsecured like you wouldn’t here. Pay attention to your surroundings like you should here. Don’t wander around drunk late at night by yourself. You know, the usual. Taking normal everyday precautions is just as necessary abroad as it is here in the U.S.
Along with taking everyday precautions, the U.S publishes travel advisories that can provide information about your destinations. You can also check news postings and do extra research to see if other travelers have any recommendations based on their experiences. Although it’s good to be informed, remember not to let things that also happen every day in the US be the reason you avoid traveling. Lastly, the U.S. Department of State allows you to register your travels for free through the S.T.E.P program. This service enrolls your trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate so that they can contact you in an emergency, such as natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency, and help you safely and quickly return to the U.S.
Loneliness and FOMO
It’s hard to leave your family and friends. It’s hard to leave a place where you know and understand everything. It’s hard to intentionally become an “outsider” in an uncomfortable situation. You’ll have good days and bad days and sometimes feel like you are on an emotional rollercoaster. I get it! I went through it too. Although it may not feel good initially, you will be okay!
First, the beauty of living in the 21st century is access to modern technology. Skype, Facetime Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, calls, and text can help you stay connected to life back home. You can even use video chat as a way to stay connected during gatherings. Time zones can have an impact but don’t let it stop you from staying connected. Instead, learn the time difference and schedule your calls at a time that would best work for both parties.
If you are part of a program with a select group of participants, reach out and build relationships with them! I had orientation with probably about 20 other people in my program so we all connected on social media and created a Whatsapp group chat to check in with each other. They are likely having a lot of the same experiences as you and can be a great support system away from home. If you are not in a program or are just looking for more people close by, Facebook groups are another great way to meet people. A quick search for expats/nomads in your area, esp. if you are part of a minority group in the city, can connect you to plenty of fellow travelers. Try searching things like “Black in Madrid” and “Dubai Expats.”
Embrace your new location and spend time exploring and trying new things. Not only does this help you meet new people, but socializing and exploring also prevents you from getting bored which can lead to you feeling homesick. Spending all day, every day in your room by yourself is a recipe for disaster for anybody prone to feeling homesick. The more memories you make while abroad, the less likely you are to feel like you are missing out on anything back home.
Lastly, give yourself grace! You will probably have bad days and that's completely normal. Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions you are experiencing, including the negative ones, and speak to somebody if you need to. While sulking forever is not good, completely suppressing your emotions can cause them to build up and make you feel worse over time. Also, remember that every emotion you feel is all part of the unique experience of living abroad. Instead allow yourself to feel, process, and then find some healthy coping mechanisms to address the emotions (journal, draw, talk to someone, go for a walk, etc.)
Do you have any other fears when it comes to living abroad?
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