Thanks to technology, the world is more connected than ever. That means searching for your soulmate can take you to the farthest reaches of the globe without the need to physically leave your hometown. Through the Internet, it’s possible for you to meet the person of your dreams — even if you’re separated by thousands of miles. In which case, you may be willing to uproot your life and move to a foreign country to be with him or her. There are few notions as romantic, but making such a major life change, even in the name of love, means being prepared for the consequences. If you’re not mentally prepared for the shift to living in another country, you may put unnecessary strain on yourself and your relationship.
Moving overseas for any reason is a major decision, and one that requires no small amount of planning. Though in addition to the logistics of moving all of your possessions and your life to a foreign country, it’s important to take time for the mental preparations that will help you ease into your move.
Try to visit your new home country at least once as a tourist before making the big move. This will give you a chance to observe the local customs and culture firsthand. Your partner can also help you navigate the ins and outs of everyday life, so your culture shock won’t be as severe when you make the move permanent.
Although your partner will be able to help you feel more at home among the people of your unfamiliar surroundings, it also can help you adjust if you find other ex-pats who can give you support. Having people with similar backgrounds and experiences nearby can be invaluable when adjusting to living in a different country. While you may be excited to dive right into your new homeland with your spouse, too much excitement right away can be exhausting, making it more difficult to settle into a feeling of normalcy. For the first few months, try to keep to a routine as much as possible so you have an easier time adjusting.
Moving overseas for love is a romantic idea, but there are a lot of un-romantic aspects you need to consider before taking the plunge. These are just a few ways to help mentally preparing yourself to live overseas with your significant other.
Photo by Farsai C. on Unsplash
