Life as an Expat

Six reasons why you should explore opportunities abroad at the beginning of your career.

My candidates ask me on a daily basis about the advantages of living abroad. Usually, when I get these kind of questions I answer that moving abroad was the best decision I have taken in my life so far. If I would have stayed in my home country I would never learn foreign languages, meet people from over the world and learn so much about different cultures and myself. Living, working and studying in different countries definitely helped me to develop my career much quicker and led me to the place where I am right now.

I took my first decision about studying abroad when I was 11 and have so far lived/worked or studied in Poland, Germany, United States and Malta, currently starting my adventure in Estonia. Living in two countries? Why not, that’s an option too 😊 Anyway, I think I know a thing or two about the life as an expat and want to inspire other young people who want to try it but don’t know where to start. I put together a list of benefits of living abroad. Hope this will convince you to take the first step.

1. You meet friends from all over the world

My family laughs sometimes that I have friends everywhere and they are kind of right. When you live abroad you travel and when you travel you make unique friendships. All my closest friends right now are the ones I met while traveling and we are based in 5 different countries on 3 continents but it doesn’t matter. I believe that you learn a lot about people when you travel together, you experience things you would never experience in a „normal life” and  you collect memories for a lifetime that keep you together despite the distance.

2. You improve your language skills

Have you spent long hours in the classroom for many years and still didn’t know how to order a hamburger when you went to an English speaking country? I think many people experience that and I completely understand it. I think it is NOT possible to properly learn the language without living abroad, and living abroad on the other hand makes it much easier and quicker. Win – win 😊

3. More career opportunities in the future

Everyone knows that international experience looks pretty good on your CV. Even if you decide to return to your home country you will definitely have a better start.

4. You will be exposed to new cultures

Imagine having 30 nationalities in the office, you can learn so many new things about all the cultures. It really changes your perception of the world and shapes your personality. You become more open and  understanding and eager to find out more 😊

5. You get to travel to a new place

That’s one of the biggest benefits of living abroad. People who live abroad travel more for obvious reasons but due to the fact that you make friends from all possible places traveling becomes easier than ever.

6. It’s going to be fun-tastic

You will probably have a great time 😊 Don’t get me wrong sometimes it’s not easy, many expats struggle at the beginning. You might miss your friends but you will make new ones sooner than you expect. One of my favorite writers Mark Twain said that: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do”, sooo maybe it’s worth giving the Expat life a try?

Joanna
Magic Mondayz Team

Looking for opportunities abroad? Have a look at magicmondayz.com. We might be able to do some magic and help you pick your next destination!