Moving abroad can offer wonderful opportunities – for work, quality of life, personal growth and more – but living in a different country is challenging, too. Finding your feet faster and with fewer frustrations lies in being flexible. Being open and accepting of change helps you adapt faster, so the strange soon seems familiar.
Acknowledging cultural norms
Every country has unique cultural norms. These range from greetings, table manners and home etiquette to less instantly recognisable customs like views on time and what areas of life are emphasised. You may find that people communicate more directly than you’re used to, that social interactions feel more formal, or that days move at a slower pace with less weight placed on productivity.
Being flexible helps you accept these differences instead of resisting them. This in turn will make you more comfortable with the changes, supporting a smooth integration into social groups and wider society. It will also make you more confident in your daily interactions from the start.
Building a new routine
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in the year ending March 2025, 91% of British nationals who moved abroad long-term were of working age (16 to 64). This means that most expats have some sort of structure through work, at least in the first few years. However, that’s only one part of a weekly routine. Without other familiar habits to fall back on, such as seeing friends and family and activity groups like gym classes and book clubs, it’s easy to feel disconnected.
Having a relaxed approach to building fresh foundations encourages you be open to trying new things. It also protects you from the temptation to try and recreate your previous life like-for-like – and ultimately be disappointed. This makes it easier to find the options that best meet your expectations and preferences, after an initial move and throughout your stay. Finding familiarity in things that feel natural creates a new sense of normal, which we all need to feel settled.
Finding your people
Building a social circle takes time wherever you live. Close friendships develop over months, and the thought of starting over in a new location can be daunting. Exploring every avenue to new connections requires more initial effort but generally helps you find your people faster.
Work can be an excellent source for initial connections, but having work in common doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll share other similarities, and some colleagues will prefer to separate their professional and personal lives. In contrast, a rogue event, random volunteering opportunity, or being introduced to friends of friends at a party can be the catalyst for lasting friendships. Say yes to every offer and opportunity and try not to be disheartened if your first attempts don’t lead to immediate connections.
Planning for home visits
Regular trips back home will help you stay connected with family and friends. They’re considered a must by many successful expats. However, it can be hard to have any kind of pattern with these visits. Changing flight prices, in-country commitments, and unpredictable family events can all dictate travel at short notice. Flexible planning can help you avoid unnecessary stress and expense.
Staying prepared year-round with specialist expat travel insurance from a reliable provider like Staysure means you can travel with confidence at the drop of a hat, with the peace of mind of appropriate protection. Similarly, saving monthly into a dedicated travel fund will help to remove financial pressure when travel is required, letting you focus more fully on your time with loved ones.
Managing unpredictable factors
From global economic shifts and to in-country political decisions, unforeseen shifts can impact your ability to live abroad. The key to managing these situations is to focus on controlling the controllables and be as prepared as possible for all eventualities. That will give you suitable back-up plans should problems arise. After that, you just need a willingness to pivot quickly.
Keep important documents organised and stay informed about local regulations that affect your situation. When challenges arise, focus on the next practical step rather than the entire problem, and seek help from available sources such as your HR department or friends in a similar situation. Having a wider understanding of the global climate will help you spot potential issues before they land, giving you more time to prepare accordingly. Even something as simple as maintaining your emergency savings gives valuable peace of mind.
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