How You Can Travel & Live Abroad

After living in 3 countries in 12 months, people have asked how to figure out the logistics of moving internationally. Here are 4 steps you can take when preparing to travel and live abroad:

Step 1: Research

Always begin by reading the Wikipedia entry on your desired country of residence. There you'll find answers on climate, history, culture, transportation, politics, cuisine, popular areas, and more. While Wikipedia isn't perfect, it's a great place to start since you'll get answers from a wide variety of people.

Check your social circles to see if anyone you know is already familiar with the country: extended family, Facebook friends, coworkers, classmates, LinkedIn connections, favorite cafe baristas, and acquaintances. Ask them about the economy, laws, and cultural norms. Bonus: Google Image photos and video tours to see professional & informal views of the city's layout & get a better feel for the surroundings.

Engage with locals online through expat forums, IRC channels, and subreddits. Ask them about cost of living, how to overcome any language barriers, cultural concepts of personal space, and useful websites. You may be able to find a cost of living calculator online as well.
Resources: expat forums, cost of living calculators, wikipedia.com, reddit.com/r/IWantOut

Step 2: Obtain a Visa

Once you've decided on your country, check out the requirements on how to obtain a visa on the embassy's website. As a US citizen, this will generally be an easy process for you, but it's still important to look into the details- types and duration of visas offered, documents required to apply, as well as application and related fees. Typically you'll be given a tourist visa upon entry & will be able to apply for a long-term tourist visa, student visa, work visa, or residence visa after arriving.

Still have questions? Locate the closest embassy to you and contact them with a list of prepared questions. If they don't answer by phone, drop by in person with writing materials to jot down the answers, but leave electronics at the door as they're generally not allowed.
Resources: local embassy, embassy website

Step 3: Find a Job

If you plan to work abroad, search "[country] job sites" to find the most relevant job boards. Depending on the country's regulations, foreigners may be excluded from some professions - consult the embassy for more details. Bonus: Check LinkedIn for Recruiters in your new country, view their profile, and send them a brief message outlining your background/experience with a request for help finding a position, guidance on where to search and tips on applying.

Telecommuting is another great option, especially if you're in web dev or marketing. Monstergulf, dice, dubizzle, and elance (per project) are some starting points. Telecommuterjobs.net aggregates all USA telecommute positions from craigslist onto one website. Craigslist applies worldwide as well.
Resources: monstergulf.com, dice.com, dubizzle.com, elance.com, telecommuterjobs.net, craigslist.org, reddit.com/r/IWantOutJobs, expatworkforce.com, expatnetwork.com

Step 4: Socialize

You've landed! Time to get out there and explore the world. Meet and make friends with other expats. Begin your search with "meet expats in [city/country]. You're likely not the first expat in that country - search for existing communities, meetups, and events!

And remember, you moved here for a reason. Explore the city, communicate with locals, and create a routine to feel more settled. Bonus: frequent the same cafes and groceries once you hit your groove to at least see some familiar faces while you're in the process of making new friends.
Resources: meetup.com, expat.meetup.com, internations.org, expatfriends.com


Whew! There's everything I wish I had known prior to moving abroad. Globalization is really happening, and the internet is making it easier. Bonus: simply search "how to become an expat" to learn more from other people's experiences.