Moving abroad comes with a few changes you know to expect.
Different food, a different language, and perhaps having to drive on the other side of the road.
Fair enough. You’ve prepared yourself for those.
What you haven’t necessarily prepared for is nobody understanding your sarcasm, spending twenty minutes looking for your favorite brand of tea, or needing three people to explain how mall parking works.
Nothing overly terrible, of course.
But when you’ve encountered all three before lunchtime, you might start questioning your decision to leave the house.
Here are seven things that can take a fair bit of getting used to:
The Shops Might Close When You Need Them Most
There’s nothing unusual about leaving the grocery shopping until Sunday.
Unless, of course, you’ve moved somewhere that doesn’t believe Sunday is for grocery shopping. Germany is a good example, with most supermarkets closed for the day.
You might find similar restrictions around public holidays, and opening hours elsewhere could be very different from what you’re used to.
It’s worth learning the local shopping routine fairly early on.
Otherwise, you’ll eventually have one of those mornings when you’re desperate for coffee, out of milk, and discovering that the nearest open shop is miles away or costs an absolute fortune.
You Might Not Be Allowed To Change Your Own Light Fittings
Bought a lovely new light fitting for your apartment?
Before getting the ladder out, check whether you’re actually allowed to install it.
In some countries, certain electrical work must be carried out by a licensed professional, even if it seems straightforward.
Rental agreements may have additional restrictions too.
Find out what’s permitted before attempting home improvements.
It’s rather frustrating to discover that your little weekend project requires an electrician, permission from the landlord, and another appointment.
Your Favorite Apps Might Suddenly Be Useless
Your phone might be full of useful apps, but that doesn’t mean they’ll all be useful once you’ve moved, unless you set them up properly.
The delivery service you rely on might not exist, your favorite shows could disappear from streaming platforms and certain apps may insist on a local phone number.
You might have to find a new favorite takeaway service – which is a rather important part of settling in and being happy, obviously.
Getting Sick Can Be A Bit More Complicated
There’s nothing quite like waking up with a terrible sore throat and realizing you haven’t the faintest idea how to find a doctor.
Do you register somewhere? Can you just walk into a clinic? And will your insurance cover it?
Not questions you particularly want to answer when you can barely swallow.
It’s worth looking into international health insurance providers like Aetna International, which has a long history of helping expats access healthcare.
Sort out your medical arrangements before you need them.
You Could Suddenly Be The Interesting One
Back home, nobody was particularly fascinated by where you grew up.
Now, everyone wants to know.
Where are you from? Why did you move? Do you miss it? What’s the food like?
And occasionally, someone will ask a question so peculiar you won’t quite know how to answer. Being the foreigner can attract a surprising amount of curiosity.
Most people mean well, but you’ll probably find yourself telling the same stories rather a lot.
Your Confidence Might Take A Knock
There’s a strange feeling that comes with being a capable adult who suddenly needs help with everything.
You can’t work out how buying train tickets works, you’ve misunderstood the announcement, and now you’re asking someone how to hail a cab.
Things you’ve done countless times back home suddenly require instructions.
It’s frustrating, but it won’t last forever.
Ask questions, laugh when you get things wrong, and remember that everyone around you has had years to learn what you’re only just starting to figure out.
You Won’t Always Be In On The Joke
Everyone at work is laughing about something that happened on a television show twenty years ago.
You smile, awkwardly. Someone notices you don’t understand and tries to explain.
Weirdly, the explanation is somehow worse and even more confusing than the joke.
Living in another country means missing all sorts of references that locals have grown up with.
Old adverts, childhood programmes, famous people, and expressions that apparently everyone knows. It can make you feel a little left out, even when you’re getting along perfectly well with everyone.
Give it time. You’ll start picking things up.
In Conclusion
There’ll be days when you love absolutely everything about your new country and others when a simple trip to the shops tests every last bit of your patience.
Neither means you’ve made the wrong decision. You’re just getting used to a different way of doing things, and that takes time.
