Are you planning to send your child for higher education to a different country? Considering buying a holiday home in a sunny place? Are you thinking of investing in a foreign land for an economic reason? All these ring one bell – international living. It is daunting for some; it is pleasant for few, but it is always a mixed bag of feelings.
Gone are those days when you lived in one place, worked in the same and made a home in the same area – the world is home now. People are born in one place, travel for education, travel more work, and maybe settle in one place. International living is prevalent with people wanting to explore more and newer experiences. Brian Colombana busts the various myths that associate with international living and explains the truth.
Myths Busted About International Living
Never trust the single online information: When you plan to relocate or visit any country, it is vital to research the place. It gives a prelude to the weather, works culture, traditions, and regulations of the place. You can consider going online and checking the details but relying on a source of information is a strict NO-NO. Dig up and conduct thorough research about the place. Do not refer to old books from libraries; instead, check with the latest news platforms to gather current information about the target country.
Shun the adjectives that come with the place name: ‘Undiscovered land,’ ‘affordable homes,’ ‘modern amenities,’ or ‘top secret destination’ – these are confusing adjectives that make the new country sound very mesmerizing. Do not decide based on these adjectives. These words are only for alluring the readers and do not imply. It does not mean there is no truth, but sometimes online information is an exaggeration.
Do NOT worry about learning the language: It is always advantageous to learn the local language by moving to a new country. But do not create pressure in your mind about it. Many of the places are very cosmopolitan, which means there are loads of ex-pats. That makes it easier to settle with one or two languages you know. English and Spanish are some of the famous international languages so, if you know at least one, then it is manageable.
Do NOT go by other people’s recommendations on a budget: One of the biggest challenges of international living is a budget estimation. It is crucial to understand that what your friend recommends is not one-size-fits-all. You and your needs will always be different, and it is always better to take the recommendation as an approximate estimation only. Brian Colombana reinstates that every country, location, and area where you are moving is unique. Your spending methods and even the currency conversion are essential pointers to consider before planning the budget.
Avoid currency conversion every time you spend: It is wise to keep track of your spending, but when you relocate from a place where the currency value is smaller than where the currency is powerful, you will feel you are spending more. This is an overwhelming feeling, and it is always better to do this exercise.
Enjoy the travel and relocation!
