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Many people believe that moving to a foreign country where they don’t know the language is impossible. They couldn’t be more wrong. Sure, there can be a language barrier on some occasions, but to move abroad when you don’t speak the language has never been easier. Technology has adapted to worker mobility, house hunting is now possible online, and you can learn a new language using apps on your smartphone. Therefore, there is nothing to worry about if you need to move abroad. And, to make things even easier for you, we’ll give you some tips and tricks for making the transition easier. So keep reading to see how simple it is now to move and live in a foreign country, even if you don’t know the language.
Find accommodation before leaving
A good start for your new life journey would be arriving at your destination with accommodation waiting for you. As you can imagine, finding a house in a foreign country without speaking the language can be difficult. As a result, we strongly advise that you find a new home before you move. You can do some internet research about the city and neighborhoods to choose the best place for your needs. Also, if you have friends that have visited the country or moved there, ask them for recommendations.
However, if you opt to do your own research and house hunting, keep in mind that you may need to visit your potential home before moving in. That is important if you want the guarantee that the house you picked is what you need.
If you want to make things easier on yourself, on the other hand, you can choose to work with an international real estate agent. Working with an agent can be faster, safer, and even cheaper. Reputable agents know the market and the properties, can protect you from fraud, and will spare you the trip to your future home. Finding a home abroad will be a piece of cake if you work with a professional.
Find roommates
Moving and living abroad can be expensive. Some expenses, however, can be easier to cope with if they are shared. Renting rather than buying a home in a foreign country and living with flatmates is thus a wise decision. At least in the beginning. Not to mention that you won’t feel so alone. You can even look for flatmates in the same circumstances as you. This way, you will have shared expenses and someone with whom to exchange ex-pat experiences. To move abroad successfully when you don’t speak the language seems more and more feasible, doesn’t it?
Hire professionals to help you
An international move can be stressful and time-consuming. At the same time, hiring a moving company to assist you with the relocation might make things a lot simpler. They can handle everything from packaging to insuring your goods, safely delivering them, and even storing them if necessary. However, even if working with moving professionals can ease your transition, it is good to know what expenses await. So make sure you ask for quotations before you hire such a company to be able to make an estimated budget for the move. Knowing the biggest costs of moving abroad will help you determine how much to allocate to this endeavor. That way, you won’t have any surprises when the bill arrives.
Get in touch with other ex-pats.
Even before you get in touch with your international mover, we recommend getting in touch with the ex-pat community in the country of your destination. You can join different groups on social media and start asking questions about your future home. Most likely, you will find people from all over the world that can share their experience of living in that country, and that can give you tips on how to cope with the move better.
At the same time, they can also help you find the best neighborhoods and job opportunities for ex-pats. Befriending people like you before arriving in a foreign country will give you much-needed support in your new adventure. You could meet someone to go to language classes with and learn about the local culture. In short, you will never feel alone if you move abroad when you don’t speak the language if you already have friends there.
Engage with the locals
Even if it takes you out of your comfort zone, engaging with the locals is a must if moving abroad. Getting to know the community you entered will be beneficial in time. And try to leave behind the prejudice of being made fun of for being a foreigner that doesn’t speak the language. Most locals will be welcoming and supportive if they see that you are interested in them, their language, and their culture. In truth, locals might be your best guides for discovering the best places to visit or dine in your new city. In addition, you might even find locals that are great at speaking English. And you will need such a local’s help if you ever need to get in touch with public institutions. Most of them have all the information in the local language, so having a translator can be of great use.
Try to learn the basics
Even if you don’t know how to speak the language of your new home country fluently, knowing the basics can be of great use. Knowing how to say hello and goodbye, thank you, and please, for example, may take you a long way. Politeness is always appreciated, as is the effort to speak the local language. As a result, learn these basics using a dictionary or a phone app. The locals will appreciate it greatly.
Final words
As you can see, you can move abroad when you don’t speak the language without making incredible efforts. Do your research, find the best location for your future home, and hire the best international moving professionals. Additionally, connect with other ex-pats before moving and engage with locals after you arrive. Learn the language basics, and you will be off to a good start in your new life abroad. All that is left to say is “good luck!”
Metadata Description: If you want to know how to move abroad when you don’t speak the language, here you can find some helpful tips.