Living abroad is one of the most enriching experiences in our lives.  If you are about to start your adventure, or you are considering looking for a job, study or traineeship in other country, there are some aspects that you should know beforehand.  Here you have some useful advices.

1. DON’T HESITATE

Living abroad implies that you will abandon your comfort zone and head to the unknown, so you might feel doubts about your decision. However, if you want to accomplish your goals, you should gather all your self confidence, because you will need it to overcome this challenge. Don’t give up, be determined, and move forward, because it will be worth it in the end.

2. MAKE A BUDGET

You must be aware of the cost of life in the other country, so you can estimate your budget to live comfortably there: accommodation, transport, meals, leisure activities…. That is why it is advisable to choose a cheaper destination like central Europe, where it is easier to afford your living and it will allow you to enjoy more the experience.

3. RESEARCH THE COUNTRY

Look for information about the country you are planning to move to. Their culture, their language, traditions, points of interests, cities, festivities… everything that might help you to reduce the cultural shock and to keep in mind what you came to do, so you can schedule your agenda for the time you will be there.

4. PREPARE THE PAPERWORK

Before you arrive to your new destination you must be sure that you have all the documentation required to live and work there: VISA, working permission, Health Insurance… The difficulty and duration of the process will depend on your nationality and your destination. For example, it is usually easier to prepare all the paperwork for  countries within the European Union than North America or Asia.

5. LOOK FOR CONTACTS BEFORE YOU LEAVE

Thanks to the new technologies, Internet and Social Networks you have at your disposal a great variety of tools that you can use  to make contacts, know people and start creating relationships before you arrive.  You will be able to find people who is in the same circumstances as you, or went through the same experience, so they can help you during your firsts days.