The Smart Expat

6 Great Ways to Learn a New Language Abroad

When you’re living or traveling overseas, speaking the local language is helpful. But, if you don’t know the language before you arrive, you might have trouble figuring out which approach is best for learning it. It isn’t easy to learn a new language abroad, so you want to choose a direction that is most likely to lead to success.

Luckily, a few options are strong contenders. If you need to learn a new language abroad, here are six ways to go about it.

6 Great Ways to Learn a New Language Abroad

1. Practice with Native Speakers

One of the best ways to learn a new language abroad is to practice your skills with locals. Whenever you go out shopping, need directions, order at a restaurant, or otherwise interact, do your best to use the language you’re trying to learn.

Native speakers are most familiar with how the language is spoken and structured. You can learn nuances that you may otherwise miss through traditional instruction, including slang or regional dialects.

2. Watch Local Children’s Television

If you’re looking for an option that can help you nail the fundamentals of a new language while living or traveling abroad, children’s television is a great place to start. The language tends to be simpler since the content is geared towards kids.

If you can find shows with educational elements, like the equivalent of Sesame Street, then you might get direct instruction. This can be particularly beneficial if the show has small exercises to cement a concept, even if it’s just a simple “repeat after me” approach.

3. Ask a Friend to Tutor You

Once you’ve made a few friends locally, see if they would be open to tutoring you. This could be a formal process where they walk you through various aspects of the language if you want something structured. However, it could be more casual. Simply getting together to have conversations can help, particularly if you make it clear that you welcome constructive criticisms, tips, or other forms of guidance.

4. Head to the Library

Your local library can be a valuable resource when you want to learn a new language abroad. You can find books at a range of reading levels, for a start. Additionally, there may be language textbooks available, allowing you to learn just as local students do.

In some cases, you might be able to get your hands on audiobooks. This is a great approach for enhancing your listening-oriented skills. You’ll get used to hearing the language spoken to you, all while being able to enjoy a fun story.

5. Take a City or Museum Tour

City tours are great ways to get to know the local area. By finding one offered in the country’s native language, you can find out about the town and enhance your language skills. Not only will the guide be speaking the language you’re trying to learn, but you may have to speak it if you have questions.

The same goes for museum tours in the native language. You’ll make what’s already a learning experience into something more, and it can be an excellent approach for honing your capabilities.

Usually, you’ll only want to go this route if you have a strong foundational understanding of the language. Otherwise, it may be more frustrating than enjoyable.

But, if you are working to take your skills to the next level, it can be a great choice. It adds an entertainment aspect to the experience, and that can make it better overall.

6. Avoid Speaking Your Native Language

Many countries are filled with multi-lingual people. There may be a surprising number of people who are more than happy to speak to you in your native language. Some may even request it, hoping to practice their skills on you.

While this may seem like a relief, it may hinder you if you’re trying to learn a new language abroad. You won’t be as dedicated to the learning process if you can default to your native tongue regularly. As a result, you might want to avoid it as much as possible, if not entirely. That way, your survival is somewhat dependent on your ability to pick up this new language, creating a sense of urgency that can propel you toward success.

Bonus Tip: How to Beat the Stress When You Learn a New Language Abroad

Whenever you’re trying to learn a new language, there are going to be some hiccups. You may forget or mispronounce a word. At times, you may even say something that doesn’t make sense to the listener, all without knowing you’ve made a mistake. Overall, this can be very frustrating and potentially anxiety-inducing.

If you want to make sure that you can beat the stress as you learn a new language, the most important step is to avoid being overly hard on yourself. You’re doing something challenging, and mistakes are inevitable. In most cases, people will appreciate your effort above all else. Plus, many who speak the language natively will easily fill in the gaps or help you express yourself, especially if they know you are trying.

When you run into issues, pause and take a deep breath. The world won’t come to an end just because you need a moment to collect your thoughts. If necessary, let the person you are talking to know that you are trying to remember the words that enable you to express yourself properly. If you’ve made a mistake, apologize and mention that you’re still learning. It could even be a good move to laugh a little, especially if your misstep was accidentally humorous.

You’re doing your best, and that’s what matters. So, keep working on it and use the new language often. With time, you’ll get the hang of it.

6 Challenges of Living Abroad

Living abroad is often a fun adventure. You get to immerse yourself in a new culture and experience everything it has to offer. That’s exciting. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges of living abroad as well.

Why Living Abroad Isn’t Always Easy

While immersing yourself in another culture is typically the appeal of living abroad, it also means you’ll face some difficulties. Every culture is different and can be in some unexpected ways.

Habits you developed while living in your home country might work against you. Similarly, communication barriers can be daunting in the beginning, making it harder to handle your day-to-day life.

Luckily, most of the challenges can be overcome. Proper planning or a bit of time allow many of the difficulties to fade, and those aspects of living internationally may soon become some of your favorite parts of the experience.

The Challenges of Living Abroad

Whether you are living overseas now or are considering it in the future, understanding the obstacles you may face can help. That way, you’ll be able to anticipate certain difficulties and take steps to mitigate them.

With that in mind, here are six challenges of living abroad.

1. Language Barriers

Unless you speak the native tongue fluently (or near-fluently), language barriers can cause some difficulties. Sure, some locals may be willing and able to talk to you in your preferred language, but that isn’t always the case. Some people believe that if you live in a country, you should speak its native language. Others simply won’t know your language, just as you don’t know theirs.

Usually, this is an issue that diminishes with time. As long as you dedicate yourself to learning the language, you’ll be more adept at navigating common conversation. It may not be an easy road, as learning a new language can be challenging in and of itself. But it’s always worth the effort if you intend to stay for some time.

2. Culture and Customs

Every country has a unique culture and set of customs that may seem odd to you. Additionally, it creates opportunities for missteps. For example, certain hand gestures are innocuous in many countries but are considered vulgar in others. If you aren’t aware of that, you may accidentally offend someone by doing what feels natural to you.

This is another problem that’s usually solved through education and with some time. Doing a bit of research before you head to a new country can help, particularly since information about cultural differences and customs is widely available.

Additionally, a bit of self-awareness can go a long way. By being vigilant about how you act and your body language, you might be able to avoid making a mistake.

3. Local Laws and Regulations

Just as cultural norms vary from one country to the next, so do laws and regulations. This can create a lot of confusion for those living abroad, particularly since learning every rule before you arrive typically isn’t an option.

In most cases, caution can help you avoid these problems. Don’t assume that something that’s legal in your home country is also legal anywhere else, or what’s illegal at home isn’t legal where you are now. When in doubt, do some research or ask before taking part in anything that might not be above board.

4. Feeling Homesick

When you’re in a country that feels a lot different from your native one, you might begin to long for parts of your home culture. Similarly, missing friends and family is common. Wrap it all together, and you might find yourself homesick.

However, you can limit the effects of homesickness by adjusting your mindset. If you embrace the idea that your new country is “home” and strive to become an integral part of your community, those feelings may diminish.

Making new friends and inviting your loved ones to visit on occasion can also help. Similarly, making plans to visit your home country can also make a difference.

5. Financial Difficulties

Unless you are independently wealthy (or at least have enough money available to sustain you while you’re living abroad), financial difficulties are a common issue. Finding employment opportunities in another country might not be easy, and it could be impossible if you don’t have the right visa yet.

While the ability to freelance online or work remotely can mitigate these strains, it isn’t an approach that works for everyone. However, for those that can, it creates opportunities to work in your home country while living elsewhere, which may be enough.

Otherwise, you’ll have to navigate the visa process and the local job market. That may require a substantial amount of perseverance and it’s possible it won’t come to fruition. In those cases, learning to live on a tight budget could be a necessity.

6. Healthcare Needs

If you don’t have access to local health insurance or medical benefits, keeping yourself healthy can be surprisingly challenging. You might not know where to go when you need a doctor or be able to afford the care you need. Even finding a way to get your prescriptions might be surprisingly difficult.

While it’s true that some expats discover the healthcare in their new country is better than the system they left, that isn’t always the case. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t have options.

For example, if you are maintaining health insurance in your home country, you might be able to schedule a virtual doctor’s visit online. If you have an international plan, you might be able to review the plan’s website to learn about physicians in your area that take your insurance. Otherwise, traveling to another country for treatment might be necessary if you can’t access what you need while living abroad.

5 Advantages of Living Abroad

People decide living abroad is a smart move for a variety of reasons. In some cases, a job in another country is an exceptional opportunity to elevate a career, making it impossible to ignore. At times, the ability to explore another culture and experience it firsthand is one of the advantages of living abroad that is too enticing. Plus, there can be a multitude of other reasons, and they can all be valid.

Practically everyone who decides that living abroad is right for them is positioning themselves to experience a range of benefits. If you aren’t sure what to expect, here’s what you need to know.

Advantages of Living Abroad

Just as there can be a multitude of reasons to live overseas, there are similarly a variety of potential benefits. Exactly which ones a person experiences while living abroad depends on a few factors, including where they move to, how long they stay, and what they choose to embrace while there.

Some of the living abroad advantages are based on giving yourself over to the decision. It’s about making the most of the choice, ensuring you can learn and grow while there. In other cases, the benefits are a little more concrete, such as heading to a place with a lower cost of living, allowing your money to go further.

With that in mind, here are five advantages of living abroad that most people can experience.

1. Cultural Immersion

If you vacation overseas, you usually only have a set amount of time to experience the local culture. Even if you are diligent about getting the most out of your trip, you simply won’t have time to see what the city or country is really like from the perspective of locals. Plus, staying in a hotel or tourist area isn’t the same as living in a town.

When you live abroad, that isn’t the case. You are fully immersing yourself and giving yourself substantially more time to explore, allowing you to experience the culture more fully and from a perspective closer to that of the locals.

2. Communication Skills

Even if you have a solid grasp of the local language, there are likely at least nuances of it that you don’t know. As a result, you have to rely heavily on your communication skills, including body language and other non-verbal cues, to convey a message. Plus, you have to learn to be highly observant, ensuring you can figure out what someone who doesn’t speak your language is trying to say to you.

When taken together, your communication skills are, at first, put to the test. But, over time, they also improve, and that’s something you can take with you.

Plus, you’ll likely learn to speak the local language with greater ease and more like a native speaker. And that’s something else that could serve you well over the long-term.

3. Learn More About Your Values

Sometimes, it hard to determine if you value something because it actually matters to you or if it’s simply a byproduct of society. At times, we think something is important because our culture says that it’s so, not because we actually believe it.

When you are living abroad, you become part of a different society. It holds different values, so it won’t reinforce the ideas of your home culture. As a result, you can figure out if what you think is important actually is to you or if cultural pressure was responsible for your views. This can be incredibly enlightening and may give you a stronger sense of self since you can separate your genuine passions from those that you thought you were supposed to have and actually don’t.

4. More Travel Opportunities

If you’re from the United States, your options for traveling to other countries might feel somewhat limited. While you can certainly fly anywhere in the world, the amount of time it takes to reach Europe, Asia, or Australia might limit your options or, at least, how often you make the journey.

But, when you’re living abroad, some of those barriers disappear. For example, if you move to a country in Europe, you may be able to day trip to several other countries. The opportunity to explore is readily available, allowing you to make the most of your time overseas.

5. Global Perspective

It isn’t uncommon for people who’ve never left their home country to have a limited perspective. It isn’t necessarily their fault as the lack of exposure to other nations and cultures is usually to blame. However, when you live abroad, the situation changes. You get to experience life from the perspective of another country, learning about its challenges and triumphs. It’s a valuable way to gain insight, allowing you to adopt a global perspective when considering issues.

Making the Most of Your Time Living Abroad

If you want to make the most of your time living abroad, you need to embrace the experience. Abandon all of the tourist trappings and try to experience the country and culture as the locals do. Understand that you are on an adventure, and that adaptability is your best friend. Roll with things as they come and focus on the bright side of every unexpected event.

By adopting that mindset, your time overseas will be more enjoyable.

The Top 5 Countries for Expats

If you are considering moving outside of the United States, figuring out where to go can be a challenge. Approximately 9 million Americans do live abroad, but they are spread out all over the world. And, considering there are more than 190 countries on the planet today, finding a way to narrow down your options is wise.

While every expat will have different goals and preferences, there are a few nations that nearly everyone should consider. If you aren’t sure where to begin, here are the top five countries for expats that are worth exploring.

1. New Zealand

When it comes to the quality of life and how easy it is to get acclimated, New Zealand is a favorite for expats. It is practically effortless to integrate with the locals, particularly since virtually everyone speaks English and the culture is incredibly laidback and friendly. Plus, it is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The landscape is magnificent, and there is so much to do, including everything from kayaking to mountaineering.

New Zealand is also an ideal home base for anyone who wants to explore Southeast Asia and Australia. There are a variety of emigration visa and work permit options too, so it is possible to keep a solid income going while working locally with the right paperwork. Just keep in mind that New Zealand can be a bit expensive, particularly when it comes to housing.

2. Germany

Offering amazing beer, incredible food, and a convenient location in the middle of Europe, Germany is a great option for expats who love to travel and experience local cultures. You can reach Italy, Austria, or Switzerland in a few hours by car, or can fly to almost anywhere in Europe in just two hours.

Plus, Germany is filled with a lot to see, including everything from the Black Forest to Frankenstein Castle. And, if you want to experience Oktoberfest celebrations like none other, Germany is the place to be.

A decent number of Germans speak English too, but you are better off if you learn the language. It’s also important to note that it is a bit complicated to make a move to Germany permanent (or even long-term) and the job and real estate rental markets can be a bit competitive, especially in Berlin.

3. Uruguay

If you want to head to South America, Uruguay is worth considering. The country is incredibly stable, both economically and politically. Plus, it’s surprisingly progressive, and the population is highly educated. In most cases, you’ll find that newcomers are welcomed with open arms and locals are willing to help new arrivals who are trying to get their footing.

Once there, you’ll discover fantastic cuisine, stellar wines, and beautiful Atlantic beaches. Even during the winter, the temperatures hardly ever fall below freezing. Plus, Uruguay’s national soccer team is world-class, making it an excellent option for fans of the sport.

The cost of living is pretty decent in Uruguay. However, getting a car can be surprisingly expensive, and having one is a necessity if you are outside of Montevideo (which has an amazing public transit system). Additionally, electronics are incredibly costly, so you’ll want to bring a smartphone with you. Just keep in mind, even though Uruguay is pretty low-crime, muggings aren’t uncommon.

Additionally, don’t expect to find many English speakers here. If you don’t know Spanish, it’s best to learn it before you head to Uruguay.

4. South Korea

South Korea has become increasingly popular with expats over recent years. The cuisine and culture are both worth exploring. Seoul offers a combination of local delights and comforts from back home, all with a shockingly low crime rate and reasonable overall cost of living. Additionally, you’ll find some of the fastest Wi-Fi speeds in existence as well as an incredibly convenient public transit system.

About half of younger South Koreans also speak English. Plus, many of the local signs are translated into English as well, making the transition a bit easier. However, unless you’re coming in to teach English to locals, getting a job can be incredibly difficult. Plus, the weather can be pretty extreme, with frigid winters and scorching summers being common.

It’s also important to note that online censorship does happen in South Korea, though it isn’t as extreme there are it is in some other areas. In most cases, the restrictions are focused on specific political issues or those that might contain illegal content. However, with the right VPN, you can use the internet just as you would back in the United States, so it’s a relatively easy issue to solve.

5. Canada

Few countries are as welcoming to expats as Canada. Newcomers are embraced with open arms, and the culture is accepting of people from practically all walks of life, making it one of the most tolerant nations on the face of the planet.

Since nearly everyone speaks English – aside from some residents of French Canada – it’s easy to integrate into the country. Plus, Canada’s varied landscape is gorgeous, offering plenty of options for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy biking, hiking, skiing, kayaking, surfing, and practically any other imaginable activity.

Just keep in mind that it can be hard to crack into the local real estate, rental, and job markets. In cities like Toronto and Vancouver, real estate prices have skyrocketed. Plus, a surprising number of businesses prefer to hire Canadians over foreigners, regardless of whether you have strong skills and can speak the language.

5 Questions to Consider Before Moving Out of the Country

Moving to a foreign country can be a great experience, but before you move, you need to be fully prepared for this life changing event. When you move abroad for a long period of time, you should consider how you will maintain your finances, health care and relationships. It can be easy to overlook some details while you are still in the comfort of your home country; however, it is necessary to have your plan in order before your departure date. It can be stressful and sometimes even dangerous to live abroad if you have not taken the time to plan out the important details. Before you move out of the country, it is essential that you consider the following five questions.

Are all of your health needs taken care of?

Before you move, you should visit your doctor and have a physical examination to make sure you are in good health. You should find out if you have any health conditions that need to be treated before you leave. Also, you should consider getting the recommended or required vaccinations for the country you will be traveling to. Additionally, you may want to look into different international health insurance or travel insurance plans. Finally, you should stock up on any medications that you take regularly and find out if those medications are available in the country you will be moving to.

How will you stay in touch with your family and friends?

If you will be leaving behind family and friends, it is important to decide if you plan to maintain your relationship with them. If you would like to stay in contact with them, then it is essential to figure out how you will be communicating while you are away. Fortunately, technology allows you to stay in touch even if you live far away. You may want to look into phone cards, video and voice chat programs and international phone plans. If one of your loved ones does not know how to use these forms of communication, you may want to help them set it up before you leave.

Are you financially capable of moving?

Moving abroad long-term can be very expensive. When you live in another country it can be difficult to get a job or you may encounter unexpected expenses. Before you leave, you should make a budget to ensure that you will have enough money to survive while you are out of the country. Additionally, it is good to have an emergency fund with enough money to get you through financially difficult times. Sometimes when you are living abroad, things do not go as planned; therefore, it is important that you always have enough money to buy a plane ticket home.

How long do you plan to live abroad?

It is important to know how long you plan on living abroad. Your plan does not have to be exact but you should have a general idea. It may be helpful to consider the following questions: Do you want to live abroad for a specific amount of time or indefinitely? Do you plan on visiting your home country during your time abroad? How will this time abroad affect your relationships and career in your home country? You should consider your answers to these questions, so that you can determine how moving abroad will affect your lifestyle and your future.

Who will provide you with social support?

No matter where you go, it is always important to have a group who provides you with social support and comfort. If you live abroad, it is essential that you have some sort of social support. It can be a difficult adjustment living in a new culture; therefore, it may be helpful to have people who you can talk to about your experiences. Before you leave your home country, you should figure out where you will find your support network once you get to your new destination.

In order to successfully enter this new chapter of your life in another country, it is important to have a solid plan before you move. If you have everything in order before your departure date, you will be able to enjoy your expatriate experience, without worrying about all of the loose ends. If you put enough planning and consideration into this move, you will be more likely to have a safe, healthy and prosperous life while living abroad. You should consider these five questions, so that you can be sure you are fully prepared to move out of the country.