What Do You Need for Your New Expat Lifestyle?
Becoming an expat is not all about the adventure of living in a new country and enjoying all its glory. Your decisions can impact your lifestyle and comfort, so you have to be more responsible with your choices while living overseas.
There are numerous things to consider when becoming an expat. You can still enjoy your new life abroad, but remember you are not on vacation. It would be best to dedicate your time to your career while adapting to your new surroundings.
To help you navigate and start your expat life, here are the best tips we can offer:
Becoming an expat is not all about the adventure of living in a new country and enjoying all its glory. Your decisions can impact your lifestyle and comfort, so you have to be more responsible with your choices while living overseas.
There are numerous things to consider when becoming an expat. You can still enjoy your new life abroad, but remember you are not on vacation. It would be best to dedicate your time to your career while adapting to your new surroundings.
To help you navigate and start your expat life, here are the best tips we can offer:
1. Accomodation
One of the most important things to consider when becoming an expat is where you will live. In some cases, the company will provide accommodation as part of the compensation package. Be aware that this does not often happen, so you will most likely have to look for a home near your office's location.
As a newcomer, spending time researching your future home's location, the surrounding neighborhood, the condition of your home, and the school district is a good idea. You should also see which modes of public transportation are available and their schedules so you can plan a route to work. If possible, take a tour around your new city or town and consider the accessibility of fire stations, police stations, restaurants, and, most importantly, hospitals.
Consider renting short-term during the first month. Some countries require a six to twelve-month lease when renting an apartment, house, or condo unit. You do not want to get tied up in a living arrangement for that long, especially if you are uncomfortable in your new area. It may be ideal to book an Airbnb, which offers more flexible terms.
Take your time to familiarize yourself with the area before committing to long rent contracts. You want the accommodation to be a place for rest and comfort and not another source of stress, which could make you regret becoming an expatriate.
2. Language
While many countries have people who understand English, it is still best to learn the local language spoken by the majority in the place you will be living in. Remember that you will most likely be living there only as a guest, so you must be the one to adjust to the surroundings.
You will not be fluent within a month or two, but you must learn the basics that will help you get around as an expatriate. Learn the most commonly used phrases and words such as, "excuse me", "hello, how are you?", "where can I find…?", "how much is…?", "can you take me to…?", and, "can you help me?". A small cheat sheet that you can always bring with you may help you become more familiar with the language.
One of the difficulties of becoming an expat is when the language and writing system is different from what you know. In this case, consider taking language classes before traveling to the country.
3. Culture
Most expatriates experience culture shock after moving to their new home country. It is not unusual to feel culture shock because that is part of becoming an expat. You have no choice but to be receptive to change and immerse yourself in learning more about your new environment.
As a newcomer, remember the saying ‘Do as the Romans do’ to make it easier to learn more about the society you will be living in. You will be staying there for a couple of months to several years, so you must consider it your second home.
4. Friends and Acquaintances
Looking for a support group is one of the things to consider when becoming an expat. Living in unfamiliar territory can take a toll on your mental health because you have to handle the pressure of making a living while surviving and adapting to the new environment. Meeting people who have gone through the same phase that you will be facing can provide comfort and assurance that can help you push through challenges.
Unless you already have local friends overseas, you may have a hard time establishing connections at first. You will most likely have to rely on communication with your friends and families at home to avoid feeling alone.
In the workplace, you must overcome your shyness and be more proactive in getting along with your coworkers. You do not have to force being best friends with them, but develop a civil relationship that will make the work environment more manageable.
5. Finances
Before you go overseas, you must have sufficient cash to fund your stay there. You will not earn an abundance of money for a month or two, so you will have nothing to rely on but the allowance you bring for food, accommodation, and transportation expenses. Taking enough money to help you survive for several months is recommended.
For the first few months, you have to be strict with your budget. Managing your expenses will help you also save extra for emergencies. As you become more familiar with your new lifestyle, you can gradually adjust your budget to make your life more comfortable and enjoyable.
There are experiences abroad worth spending money on; therefore, you do not want to regret not trying something you would never get to do in your home country.
Enjoy the things that your age, time, and money allow you to. If the adventures you want to try have risks involved, such as extreme sports activities, make sure you have international health insurance before doing it.
6. Expat Insurance
One of the most underrated things to consider when becoming an expat is getting international health insurance. Aside from being a requirement in many countries, expat health insurance protects you from expensive healthcare services abroad.
When you become an expat, your home country's insurance plan will not cover you overseas. You must find international health insurance that can protect you from medical emergencies wherever you are, whether you are abroad or back in your home country.
Your employer might offer an insurance plan, but often, you have to apply for private international health insurance. This type of insurance gives either worldwide or regional medical coverage. It can cover you from trip cancellations and provide repatriation benefits and evacuation services during emergencies.
There are plenty of expat insurance plans available, but not all are as reliable or comprehensive regarding coverage and claims. To help narrow down your options, we handpicked those offered by the top international health insurers known for having global reach:
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- The flexibility to tailor a plan to suit your individual needs
- Access to Cigna Global’s trusted network of hospitals and doctors
- The convenience and confidence of 24/7/365 customer service
Xplorer Worldwide Medical Plan
- Premium Benefits, Coverage and Service
- Define your deductible and prescription benefits
- For Foreigners in the US or US citizens abroad
IMG Global Medical Plan
- Four plan options and additional optional coverages
- Choice of the coverage area to reflect your geographical area of need
- Freedom to choose your health care provider wherever you are in the world
William Russell Health Insurance
- William Russell plans cover you internationally, both in the country you reside in and wherever you are traveling to (addons required for USA)
- Their network includes 40,000 hospitals around the world.
- Plans have comprehensive cancer coverage, including genome testing.
Expat insurance costs range from $50 to $1,000 per month, depending on the benefits included in the policy. You can find more about international medical insurance here.
Also Read: Expatriate Life Insurance Plans for international citizens.
If you are curious about our rates, request a FREE QUOTE from us. You will be surprised how affordable and beneficial it is to get international health insurance.
