5 Things No One Tells You When You Move Abroad

There are a few things no one tells you when you move abroad. Before moving I had no idea what to expect. Along the way, I learned a LOT.

Flashback to just two years before that. I lived in our home in Pretoria, South Africa with two dog children and my family.  Life was normal.  And in 2015 we had to make the choice. We wanted to move abroad. But how?

We decided to take the chance, we got the process going and we were so excited for this new adventure. We took a trip to Amsterdam for a week to sort everything out and spend some time in our new city. After a long and very stressful journey, we finally got the heads up. So, in a few weeks time, we packed our house into a container. Four months later on March 9th 2016, I arrived in the Netherlands.

Here are 5 things no one tells you when you move abroad

1. It won’t feel like a fairytale

Before moving abroad I had visions of chirping birds twirling above my head as I made my way through the cobblestone streets, glancing up at old buildings and half-timbered buildings from thousands of years ago. Sometimes, that fantasy wasn’t too far from reality. Sometimes it feels like living abroad is the worst idea in the world. I think when we dream up what our life will look like, we forget that bad things will inevitably happen. Our daydreams are clouded with the idea that if we just do this or have that, then we will truly be happy. But that’s not true, and that’s okay! It’s a good thing. It helps you come back to reality, make wise decisions, and stay true to yourself.

2. Somedays it feels like you failed

Despite making my own money now, I still have a few struggles to get into University. I always have that nagging feeling that it won’t work out. Knowing that I worked hard for 12 years to build up a future and suddenly my education is not good enough. This was a major set back for me, but even with that anxiety and stress, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I know I have better opportunities and options. I love my job, I love blogging even though I do it part time and I love this place. Yes it is hard, but in the long run it will be so worth it.

3. It will change your life

Despite my proclivity to need things to stay the same, I’m realizing that change is good. I’ve learned a lot about people from around the world. Back home all my friends were born somewhere in South- Africa. And that is totally fine! In fact, I thought nothing of it at all. But getting to meet people in this environment has opened up my world. Truly seeing how others live and work gives me a better idea of how I want to live and work. And how others should be treated. For me, I needed to get a better grasp on the world and this has helped me to do so.

4. You will learn to really appreciate the people who are there for you.

My friends and family are incredible. I know that everyone has full lives and lots of hardships and happiness that goes on. I sometimes feel disconnected. I often feel like no one cares. But hearing from them makes me feel so happy and like I haven’t been missing out. You will be surprised by those that reach out and also from those that don’t. I’ve learned that it’s okay. Not everyone NEEDS to be in your life forever.

5. No matter how much you plan for, things won’t always go as planned.

I am a planner. I like knowing what I’m doing for the week and have my Google calendar up at all times to check what’s to come in my week. But when you move abroad, try to find a place to live, don’t always understand the language, and aren’t familiar with the customs (or the train and bus schedules), things go haywire. Sometimes how you planned it out doesn’t happen and something much better happens. For example, The first few times I had to take a train or bus, I didn’t know which side of the platform I should be waiting. We wanted to remove a tree from our backyard but had to get permission from the Gemeente (Municipality) first. All this little stuff adds up and sometimes you learn the hard way.

You end up missing things you never knew you would. The mundane or small things you once felt were insignificant you crave. I think it’s made me appreciate home in a new way and the people in my life.

xoxo

Chante’