The continuing COVID-19 pandemic situation might still be preventing us from travelling internationally at the moment; however, it won’t be too long before the borders reopen and we can see the world again. When that happens, rather than simply going on a two-week holiday abroad, why not consider spending a longer amount of time actually living and working in a different country? There are many different reasons why this can be advantageous, and it’s an experience that almost everyone should try at least once in their lives. Here are just a few of those reasons:
You’ll broaden your horizons
Living abroad opens up your eyes to so many new things and gives you the opportunity to try a whole host of new activities. You’ll meet lots of interesting people, learn to think more creatively and be more adaptable, plus start to see the world in a different light. You can then bring all this knowledge and experience back with you when you come home. This is equally true if you have kids, and with so many quality international schools such as Rugby School now available, moving abroad will only benefit their education.
You can learn a new language
If you spend some time living in a country where English is not the most commonly spoken language, it will be a fantastic opportunity for you to learn the local lingo. Not only is this helpful and respectful, but it also does wonders for your brain. Being bilingual has been linked with better attention, memory and learning abilities, in addition to protecting against age-related cognitive decline. It also looks great on your CV! Of course, you can always study a second language back home, but nothing beats full immersion with native speakers when it comes to effective learning.
You’ll experience a new culture firsthand
By living in a different country, you have the chance to fully immerse yourself in a new culture in a much deeper way than you can when you simply travel somewhere for a short time. You’ll get to make connections and friendships with local people, attend festivals and other events, experience cultural activities and traditions, try lots of local food, and get a feel for the societal norms that govern that place. You’ll learn so much, and then you can blend the best parts with your home culture to enjoy the best of both worlds!
Your partner lives there
If you meet your partner abroad this can lead to a whole bunch of complications such as who is going to move when you get married and want to settle down. Of course both of you have great reasons as to why you should stay and live in your own home so how do you even decide! This is why it is a great idea to test the waters in both locations for a little bit of time so you can make the best decision for your relationship. All you need is a spousal visa (Visit Mayfair Immigration and other companies) and a few other bits of documentation and then you’ll be on your way to what could possibly be a lifelong adventure!
You get to reinvent yourself
One of the best aspects of living abroad is that it gives you the chance to reinvent yourself. Free from people who know you and the expectations they have of you, you can become someone new if you want to. What about all those hobbies that you’ve wanted to try but felt nervous about? Now’s your chance! Want to change your hairstyle or the way you dress? There’s nothing stopping you! It’s a brilliant chance to build your confidence and independence, step outside your comfort zone, learn a lot about yourself, and become the person that you truly want to be.
