Moving Internationally: A fresh start with a brand new perspective

Wednesday morning has arrived and you’re staring out of the window of your 9-5 job. It can feel like you’ve been doing the same thing day after day, and you’re dreaming of leaving it all behind and moving internationally. Somewhere where you could start life again, and not feel so stuck.

While many people have the dream of moving internationally, not many of them actually take the leap of faith and go for it. It’s terrifying to leave everything you’ve ever known to live in an unknown place that’s 8,000 miles away. But moving internationally can open up so many doors that may not exist when you stay in your hometown.

Why you may feel like you need a new start

Moving Internationally: A Fresh Start With A Brand New Perspective

Some people never get the chance to leave their hometown. You see the same people you’ve known since elementary school, you’ve graduated from the same high school as your parents, and your grandparents know everyone in town. It can feel like you’re living the same life as everyone around you.

It’s okay to want something more, to be connected to something more. It’s in our human nature to travel and explore the unknown. Stewart Weaver from the University of Rochester tells us, “For all the different forms it takes in different historical periods, for all the worthy and unworthy motives that lie behind it, exploration—travel for the sake of discovery and adventure—is it seems a human compulsion, a human obsession even”.

Moving internationally gives you the opportunity as an adult to learn an entirely new way of living. Your parents likely won’t be there to help you every step of the way. You have to relearn where to grocery shop, where the best sightseeing is, how to converse with locals, and even how to get around town. A “new start” simply means finding a new way of the day-to-day.

Moving internationally opens your mind

When you’ve spent years living in the same town, your world views are limited to those you’ve seen. From politics to personal beliefs, moving internationally shows you how others around the world view the things you thought were “normal ways of thinking”.

While it may annoy you that Starbucks is out of your favorite creamer, there are some places in the world that have to wait three months for a dairy shipment to arrive. Seeing other people’s views on things and having new first-hand experiences can alter your entire way of thinking. In fact, it can make you forget about things that most people in your hometown consider normal. 

It can strengthen your relationships

Moving Internationally: A Fresh Start With A Brand New Perspective

Moving internationally can truly strengthen the relationships you already have and the ones you make living abroad! Leaving the ones you love is heartbreaking and terrifying, but it can also give your relationships a chance to grow in ways it never could before.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but in today’s day and age, there’s no reason that absence should be a problem. There are apps like Marco Polo where you’re given the chance to send videos and voice memos to those who are far away. This opens a world of communication as you’ll both be experiencing different things and can connect in a new way. 

Sending each other care packages full of goodies that are both familiar and forgein is another way to strengthen your relationship when you’re moving internationally. Giving gifts is a love language, and receiving something from someone dear to you can make your entire month.

You also are given an opportunity to strengthen new relationships with people you meet abroad. They may not understand the world you’ve just come from and in turn, you may not understand the life they live. Although it may seem that you have nothing in common at first, you’re given a huge range of conversational topics to explore in this new relationship. You’ll have different inputs and views that can change each other’s ways of thinking and create a deep bond with a new friendship.

Read more: What is Marco polo and-how-to-use it

Hello, Creativity Boost!

Moving Internationally: A Fresh Start With A Brand New Perspective

Ditching that 9-5 job and moving internationally gives your mind a break from the day to day life you’re used to. All of a sudden you have the free time to do whatever you want. Taking this time is so important in the beginning days of moving internationally. As you’re discovering how to live a completely new life, you’re rediscovering the things that are most important to you and prioritize them.

In fact – it could lead you to forever ditching the 9-5 and opening up your own business. Something you would have never thought possible if you hadn’t taken the jump to move. 

Read more: How to move cross country with kids

While there are many perks of moving internationally, there are fears that are associated with it that may hold you back.

Fear of the unknown

You’ll never know if you’re making the right decision. Moving internationally comes with a huge leap of faith and a lot of determination to make it work. There will be fear of being in a city that is unfamiliar, not knowing anybody there, and an overall fear of the unknown.

But don’t let that fear hold you back. Starting over will take time and hard work, but it’ll only be unknown until you jump straight into it. Once you’re in new waters, you’ll learn how to swim rather quickly. Pushing your own boundaries is good for you!

I’ll run out of money

Moving Internationally: A Fresh Start With A Brand New Perspective

As the Beatles would say, “money can’t buy me, love”. There is a risk of losing a bit of finance when quitting your 9-5 and moving internationally. Not only do you lose your main source of income, but you also lose quite a bit when moving everything over.

Moving internationally is not something that should be a spur of the moment. You should take your time to plan each step of the way, including your finances. Having at least a six-month game plan for finances is a must before you make the move. You should also take the time to look for jobs in the area! Even if you’re working in a coffee shop making $10 an hour, it’s something different that will also bring in some supplemental income. 

Saying goodbye

Moving Internationally: A Fresh Start With A Brand New Perspective

Let’s face it, the hardest part of moving internationally is saying goodbye. You’ve spent your whole life in this area, making connections that you thought would be for a lifetime. How on Earth could you say goodbye?

As cheesy as it sounds, it doesn’t have to be a goodbye, it can be a see you soon. Moving internationally doesn’t have to be forever and it certainly doesn’t mean not being able to see your loved ones again. Make a game plan on how to stay in touch with the people you love and even make plans for them to come to visit you! 

Make sure to have a going away party as well. This will help give everyone a chance to wish you farewell on your new journey.


You may be scared to ditch your 9-5 and make this leap, but there are so many ways it will benefit you. Hold on to the positive things and remember that moving internationally is a new chapter in this book that you call life. A new chapter that will bring so many new experiences and so much strength your way.

WANT TO READ MORE?

Maybe you’re not set on moving internationally, but you’re still wanting to quit your 9-5 without having to go back to school. Make sure to check out 10 Profitable Jobs that don’t require a degree!

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Moving Internationally: A Fresh Start With A Brand New Perspective

Sources: University of Rochester

Photo Credits: Lauren Benson Photography | Rupixen

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Lauren Benson
Lauren Bensonhttp://www.lbensonphotography.com
Lauren is a traveling mom, wife, and wedding photographer. Some of her favorite things include hiking with her family, photographing couples who are in love, singing to her daughter, creating incredible vegetarian dishes, traveling the world, and dying her hair crazy colors.

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