Starting a new life in a new country is a liberating experience. It’s a chance to give your personal and professional life a factory reset. When you’re a single woman, it’s all the more freeing.
A new home, a new set of friends, a new job, and a new culture to acclimatise to – so much changes when you decide to move abroad.
The transition should be exciting so don’t let yourself get overwhelmed by all the adjustments!
Look out a comprehensive moving abroad checklist to help you keep all the essential admin jobs involved in the move under control. Then you can concentrate on planning your new life in your new country!
Dream Destination
Before you can properly start your new life abroad, you need to decide where you’re going!
As a single woman, this experience should be centred around growing in confidence and independence, so you need to consider which destination can best nurture this.
Create a little profile of yourself:
- What kind of personality do you have? Extroverted or introverted?
- What do you want out of this experience?
- What climate do you like best?
- Do you want to learn a new language?
- Do you prefer big cities or small towns?
Of course, you want to venture out of your comfort zone but it’s important to make sure you have a comfortable environment to support your personal growth.
Read Up
When you’re travelling as a single woman, you need to keep safe at all times.
Doing advance research about the culture and customs of the area, as well as finding out if there are any spots to avoid, will help you to remain alert and in control.
In some parts of the world, women enjoy equal rights to men, but in others there are rigid procedures and laws they need to abide by.
Keep yourself informed and you’ll be able to enjoy all the experiences your new country has to offer you, rather than constantly worrying about your safety and well-being.
Learn The Language
To feel at ease in your new country, and to remain self-sufficient as a single woman, you should put every effort into learning the local language.
It’s easy to brush up your skills by using language learning apps like Duolingo or Babbel.
Achieving fluency in the local language will massively help you to integrate into the community. It signals to residents that you’re actively trying to assimilate, so they’re more likely to warm up to you.
More social opportunities will present themselves to you when you can speak the local language, and this is essential for building a new life in a new country!
Residents will be more likely to invite you to special events or will be able to tell you about unmissable sights and eateries to visit.
Engage With Expats
Befriending fellow expats can help ease the loneliness of the transition. They were all in the same boat as you once upon a time so they will understand what you’re going through!
Other expats, particularly other single female expats, can function as a support network for you, helping to you to settle into the area. When you’re feeling anxious or alone, you’ll know you always have someone to turn to.
They’ve learned the ins and outs of the area from an expat perspective, so they are best-placed to give you tips for making the most of your experience.
Any queries you have about the best shops, restaurants, and service providers, they’ll probably have a list of favourites to recommend to you.
Charm The Locals
Be sure not to become glued to fellow expats – make connections with native residents!
Keep your eyes peeled for events coming up or groups to join that will grant you the opportunity to socialise and make friends with locals. Social media is a fantastic way to reach out to people too.
These residents will possess a powerful attachment to the area and can pass on their unique insight into the politics and culture in your neighbourhood.
Put Yourself Out There
Don’t expect people to come to you. Put yourself out there and try new activities, exposing yourself to new experiences.
Maybe you’ve moved to a new country to escape the humdrum routine of your hometown. Starting a new life in a new country is the perfect opportunity to try your hand at something new.
Surfing in Hawaii, hiking in Iceland, or skiing in the Swiss Alps. Wherever you are moving to, take up a new hobby that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to do, fully immersing yourself in the local culture.
Broaden Your Horizons
As a single woman, starting a new life in a new country is a little bit scary but incredibly exciting.
With nothing and nobody holding you back, you’re free to make a new life, becoming the person you’ve always wanted to be.
Be prepared to make the most of this wonderful adventure.
About the Author
Based in drizzly London town, Laura Fields is a recent escapee from the topsy-turvy world of magazine journalism. Now an online writer, she specialises in exploring the best of home, travel and lifestyle.
