It may seem pretty obvious, there is a difference. But you’d be surprised how much you have to consider when living abroad! I have traveled all over the place, and I have lived abroad in a few. Here are a few things that I consider wayyyy different from what you’d expect.
What to Bring
On vacation, we pack weather for the climate, some comfortable shoes, passport, cash, and a thousand pairs of underwear. That works for about a week or two. I found myself bringing towels, bedsheets, pans, and ice cube trays when moving permanently. All the things your AirBnb normally provides! You can choose to buy things when you arrive, but that adds a ton of stress, especially when it comes to finding a store, looking up the name of the item you want, all while you try to move in and settle.
In college, I was in desperate need of clothes hangers. Did I know the word in Chinese for hanger? Of course not. I only knew things like, “how are you doing today”, “my course schedule is loaded,” or my personal fav, “equal pay for equal work!” So, I ended up asking for, “that thing that goes in the wardrobe and clothes hang”. I got my hangers, and they got a laugh!
Home Food
If you know, you know.
When living in a different country, cuisines and food availability might be COMPLETELY different from what you are used to. Sure, this means a lot of great new recipes, but it also means missing a lot of “home food”. I circumvent this issue by bringing 5-10 boxes of mac n’ cheese back with me, only to be eaten on special occasions. It sounds dramatic, but there are just some things you don’t play around with.
If you do manage to find what you want, it can be really, really expensive. For example, I found my beloved mac n’ cheese, albeit for $15 a box. I’ll let that one sink in. Having lived in China, certain “Western” foods I’ve known and loved tend to come with a price tag. This includes things like cheese, chocolate, wine, and generally any name brand.
I do have to admit though, I bought the bougie mac n’ cheese once. Don’t judge me.
Your Products
See “Home Food”. Yes, this extends to products you like. It is not hard to get acclimated to products used in the country you’re staying in, but it can be hard to read labels and get recommendations. I am picky with hygiene, and I like to know what goes in my hair and on my body. So, if living abroad, be prepared to make adjustments or bring your goodies with you!
The Language
If for some reason you thought you could get around with a few sentences, you are sorely mistaken. Living abroad, unlike traveling, means that there are no tour guides or hotel staff to show you around or point you in the right direction. Talking to taxi drivers, wait staff, and others will be a 100x more difficult if you do not have a grasp of the local language. Also, why wouldn’t you want to? Learning it can open you up to a million more possibilities, experiences, and events. Hop on Duolingo and learn a lil’ something!
The Community
It is here that you will truly get that authentic cultural experience you were waiting for. I mean outside of a manicured travel brochure. Picking up and moving across the globe can be challenging, you might not have friends or family to support you, or really know anything about where you’re headed. This is where integrating yourself in the local community becomes vital. When traveling, you know you are about to hop on a plane and head home. But when living abroad, you are home. Establishing and cultivating relationships will be super rewarding in the future.
In our apartment, the security guards know us on a first name basis. There have been lots of small talk and greetings here and there. And it is lovely! When you are all alone, a simple, ” Good morning, Laura!” can brighten your day.
Getting From A to B
Being an American, I had a car since I was sixteen. And that is completely normal!
Wherever you may go, this may not be the case. If you are from a big city, you may be accustomed to alternative methods of transportation. I wasn’t. However, I quickly learned metro routes, taxi stands, and biking apps. To be honest, I prefer it. Walking to the grocery store every day is much healthier overall, and I save a ton of money in gas and car maintenance.
However, if you do decide on a personal vehicle, there are other things to consider. First, is your license accepted, or do you have to apply for a new one? In addition, there might be certain requirements based on where you live. In China, you are required to have a certain license plate number to enter the city. This is done by a lottery system, due to the overabundance of cars and concern for the environment. In short, you may be able to buy a car, but you cannot legally drive it. My advice: definitely look into it!
Living in a Suitcase
I would be remiss to tell you that you can take everything you know and love with you at all times. That would be a lie. Maybe you’re lucky and have a company that pays for your moving, and that’s great! However, living as a student, with dorms being closed in the summer, I had to find a way to consolidate everything I owned into a suitcase, carry-on, and purse. Not fun. This includes winter and summer wear, all of the above mentioned food and products, and anything else you might need. I was constantly having to pick up and move, and paying for excess luggage on a flight can bankrupt you if you let it.
Additionally, you might want to look into furnished homes when moving. Definitely not one of your biggest concerns when merely on holiday, as you’d expect the place to have furniture by default. When living off-campus my junior and senior year, fully furnishing an apartment was just not an option. Well, not if I planned on eating for the rest of the year. If you are planning on a long-term lease, or already have furniture being moved, then go all out! Otherwise, it might be time to consider alternative options.
How Rewarding It Is
I mean it. Living abroad comes with many challenges, but it is the single best decision I have ever made. It really opens your eyes to new ways of life, ones that you really can’t get in the comfort of your home. Sure, a holiday is nice, and you might learn quite a bit about where you are visiting. But to truly integrate yourself into the fabric of another country, learn the language, cook the food, befriend the locals, and open your mind to life outside of what you know can be the best experience you will ever have.
So, if you get the opportunity, give it a shot! Promise you won’t regret it.
Have you ever lived abroad? Did I forget any differences? Let me know in the comments below!
A Travel Date With Laura Kate 