The LGs Share Their Tips For Moving Abroad
Caroline, who moved to South Africa, says…
Move when the time feels right. I’d been living in London for six years, loved it and always thought I’d end up back there. But I knew it was just the right time to move abroad. Loads of my friends were doing it, I wasn’t tied down by a relationship or a house and work-wise, it felt like the perfect moment to take a break. It was really a ‘now-or-never’ kind of decision.
Choose a destination based on opportunity and affordability. I’m studying for a master’s degree and that was a big factor in my decision. I needed to be somewhere English-speaking but honestly, cost of living also played a huge role. The South African rand is much weaker against the pound, which made it more affordable. Plus, South Africa had been popping up on my Instagram feed a lot and I was intrigued. It was a bit of a risk but everything I’d heard was positive – especially about the Western Cape. So I went for it.
Prepare financially and research the essentials. For about a year before I moved, I saved up to prepare for both the living costs and the course fees. I didn’t do a huge amount of research on South Africa itself, just mostly about the university and the lifestyle there. I didn’t know anyone in South Africa at all, so I spoke to a few colleagues who’d been there before and they’d all loved it.
Face your fears and expect to face the unknown. South Africa’s reputation for poor safety was definitely on my mind. But when I arrived in Stellenbosch, I found it was actually regarded as one of the safest places in the country. Of course, you still have to be cautious but it wasn’t as bad as I’d expected. I was also worried about the usual things – whether I’d like the course, make friends and adjust to everything. But really, those are just standard fears.
Embrace the challenges. It was very hot when I arrived – February is one of the warmest months and I actually saw people fainting in the streets. That was a challenge. Also, when you move, you can’t bring everything with you, so you end up needing to buy a lot of stuff. I stayed with eight other international students for the first six months and that was amazing for getting to know South Africa and the people. But when they all left and I moved in with South Africans, I started noticing cultural differences. South Africa is still quite conservative and religious, especially in my area. And of course, there’s still racial segregation, which is something I have found hard to get used to. It’s something people don’t always talk about, but it’s definitely present.
Accept the language barriers and celebrate cultural diversity. Everyone speaks English but there are actually 12 official languages here. I live in an area where Afrikaans is the most common language, but there’s also Xhosa and Zulu. It’s wild how two people who are both South African might not understand each other. It’s a big reason why there’s still a lot of cultural segregation. It’s fascinating, though – it makes me appreciate how diverse the country is.
Use technology to stay connected and combat loneliness. I didn’t really struggle with homesickness, mostly because I’d been living away from home for a while. Plus, I had technology on my side. FaceTime and messaging make staying in touch easier. And when I first arrived, I lived with other people, so I was never lonely. We became a little family, which was really special. After they left, I did feel a bit isolated but I got a job in a restaurant and as a teaching assistant at the university, which was great for meeting new people.
Don’t overthink it – you’ll figure it out as you go. I don’t really feel like there’s anything I wish I’d known before coming here. I came with an open mind to experience a new culture and country. But, I wasn’t expecting it to get so cold during the winter – because it’s our summer, I didn’t bring any warm clothes.
Balance your finances. I saved up for a whole year before moving here, which covered my master’s degree tuition and living expenses. But when I arrived, I was living like royalty because it felt like everything was so cheap compared to London. But three months in, I realised I’d have to slow down – especially since I’m here for at least two years, not six months. Finding a job wasn’t easy because employers tend to prioritise South Africans, which makes sense, but I got there in the end.
Build your social circle and embrace new experiences. Working at the restaurant has been amazing for meeting young locals, other students and even some really interesting customers. I’ve even had some people pass on job opportunities to me, which is incredible. Plus, I got the chance to go to a South African geotechnical conference, which was a huge deal for me because that’s what I’m studying. South Africa really offers so much and I’ve said yes to so many things – bungee jumping, paragliding – you name it. I’ve been saying yes to things I’d never usually do because it’s all a new experience.
Just do it – the benefits far outweigh the negatives. Honestly, if you’re thinking about it, just do it. You can always come back if it’s not for you. But if you don’t try, you’ll never know. I’ve changed so much since moving here – I’ve met amazing people, made new friends and even met my boyfriend. It’s been a big shift from London but in such a good way. Sure, loneliness happens, but that’s something I’ve experienced in London too. The positives here far outweigh the negatives, and I’ve had friends and family visit, and they’ve all fallen in love with South Africa too.
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Rebecca, who moved to Boston, says…
Set up a bank account before you move. I did a lot of reading on Reddit about life in the US before I arrived, and there were two main things I discovered. The first is that you need a bank account in the country you're moving to for everything – whether that’s setting up a phone plan, paying rent or actually getting paid. Without one, you're stuck. If you can, sort it out before you arrive. It'll save you a world of hassle. The second is that I found out America doesn’t sell squash or good tea, so I arrived with plenty of Yorkshire teabags and those Robinsons Squash minis.
Prepare to be lonely – and just push through it. Being thousands of miles away from everyone I know and love is tough, and for the first few months, every interaction feels like that disingenuous ‘so, what do you do?’ small talk. But you just have to accept the cringe factor and start talking to strangers. One of my closest friends is someone I met in my building’s lift. Another one I bonded with in a public bathroom after we recognised each other from a random craft event. You’ll find your people – you just have to be open to it.
Accept that everything will be exhausting at first. For at least the first couple of months, I was shattered. I hadn’t comprehended how tiring it is to not have a ‘go-to’ anything – no go-to supermarket, no go-to lunch spots, no go-to gym, pharmacy, hairdresser. You don’t realise how much you do on autopilot until you’re standing in Whole Foods reading the back of a $16 can of tuna, trying to work out whether the additives will give you cancer because there’s no John West. Everything takes effort at first – but it gets easier.
Choose where you live wisely. Boston has always felt very safe to me but I made sure I picked a neighbourhood and apartment building that felt secure. I think when you’re moving somewhere completely new, your home should be a safe haven. Do your research – where you live impacts everything.
Be ready for some cultural differences (even tiny ones). I lived in the Midlands before, where if you smile at someone, they smile back. Girls compliment each other’s outfits in bars or on the street. Boston is not that. If you smile at someone here, they think you’re crazy. Everyone’s got their headphones in, head down, moving fast. It threw me at first. Even the little things – like Americans calling me ‘frigid’ because I put my coat on in the office – took some adjusting to. You just have to roll with it.
Say yes to everything, within reason. I moved over along with one other girl from work, which was great but also a bit of a comfort blanket. I thought about using friend apps but the best people I’ve met have been through random, little meet-cutes. One of my friends I met sitting by the river watching the sunset and we both quoted Shrek at the same time. None of that would’ve happened if I hadn’t been prepared to put myself out there.
Have a financial cushion – things cost more than you think. America is expensive. I was lucky my company helped financially with the move, but I was still worried I’d be broke. You need savings – there are so many unexpected costs, from apartment deposits to furniture to setting up your phone. And some things are just ridiculous – I've been here for nine months and still haven’t bought oven gloves because I refuse to pay $35 for them.
If you’re thinking about it – just do it. If you hate it, you can always move home. You’ll learn so much – not just about a new place, but also about yourself. You need a nest egg of savings in case things go wrong but everything is ‘figureoutable’. And honestly, it’s such a privilege to be able to move somewhere new by choice – if you have that opportunity, do it.
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