For very long I felt bombarded by messages such as:
"Travel while you're still young!"
"Life's too short, travel now!"
"Travel while you're young and able. Don't worry about the money, just make it work. Experience is far more valuable than money will ever be."
"Dare to live the life you've always wanted."
After graduating from University, I knew I wanted to go live abroad. I spent the next year saving money to travel and developed my plan for moving abroad. I studied and got my TEFL so I could find a job teaching English.
In August 2011, I quit my job, sold my car, put my belongings into storage and moved to Vietnam. At the age of 24 I was half way around the world alone, without any friends or contacts in the country I would then call home for the next two years. I lucked out and got a teaching job my 2nd day in the country. The things I did well in living abroad are:
1. Focused on getting employment ASAP - this helps provide some stability as well as regular income
2. Ventured outside of my comfort zone and socialized with people I never knew.
3. Learned to ride a motorbike which allowed me to learn the city much better than riding taxis or motorbike taxis.
4. Purposely got lost on a motorbike - as long as you have a decent sense of direction, you should be able to find your way back. Once I was comfortable on the motorbike, I just drove on random streets without looking at any map and spent about an hour going random directions. Eventually I found my way back and after that I knew the city so much better.
5. Studied a beginner level of the language prior to arrival, this helps build better relationships with the locals and helps you understand the history & culture you see every day
6. Consistently tried all the new foods I could, granted this led to some sickness as well, but everything isn't rosy!
7. Scheduled regular Zoom/Skype/Facetime calls with family. This is so key to stability and I cannot emphasize how important this was for me, especially at times when you are homesick.
8. Read about the stages of Culture shock and recognize which stage you are in. Be ready to go in and out of different stages.
9. Try new social activities and find a regular one you enjoy. Whether its sports, art, a book club, find something you enjoy doing and you're bound to make good friends there and quickly expand your social group
10. Purposely make friends with the local people, they will teach you what their culture is like and make your experience much brighter. Don't move half way around the world to only hang out with your own country-women/men.
This is what I would have done differently:
1. Before leaving, I had a 401K with my former employer, the money sat in the account and didn't grow much at all. I wish I moved it to an IRA. Luckily in July of last year my brother helped me do this. Already it has grown 25% which is more than I can say from the 401K I used to have. If I had done this before, then I would also have been more motivated to also transfer the money back to the account and regularly deposit into the account. This is one of the key things I wish I had done.
My brother kept telling me for years to do it, but I don't know why I didn't listen and follow his advice. When you're young, you feel invincible and nothing will ever happen to you. If you're reading this now and you are 18 or in your 20s, open an IRA account!!! It doesn't matter how small your amount of savings is, just put money in it monthly, even if it's $50/month, just save and it will grow for you.
2. Before leaving your home country I suggest you write down clear goals about why you are going to live abroad. Keep that paper in a place you will remember and go back and review it every 6 months or 1 year, it will help remind you why you are abroad. This helps when things get challenging and reminds you of whether your actions each day are helping you achieve those goals.
3. Regularly Zoom/Skype/Facetime with your close friends back home. Just call them, I've always found it easier to call them and then arrange a time when you're both available. Scheduling via text is hit & miss. Do this at least once a year if not more. I didn't do this at least until I was 2 years in, if I did it earlier, it would have made the transition much easier.
4. Don't put yourself in a long-term relationship at this age, wait until you are in your late 20s or 30s. Enjoy this time and have fun! You never know who you will meet and where life will take you.
5. Keep a blog and consistently write in it. You'll have so many stories you'll want to remember. The best sure-fire way to remember them is to write them down. Even if you forget, you still have a written trace.
Those are what I would have done different if I were to do it again at that age. The funny thing is, the strategies I first mentioned, are things I'm going to need to do again when we move to California. They are good strategies whether you are living abroad or just living life normally. Get out of your comfort zone, meet new people, and you never know what will happen!
Here's a funny sugar packet: Low chemical for Better Health! Thankfully it's low in chemicals....haha!
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