| Many people dream about changing their lives and | | | | arrival though you will be amazed at how quickly |
| make a new start in a different country. While | | | | you learn and become fluent, with or without |
| most keep dreaming some, more and more it | | | | language courses. |
| seams, decide to make the move. | | | | 3. Think about where and what you want to |
| I grew up in Germany. Not long after finishing | | | | work. Check in advance whether your |
| university I moved to Australia. After almost five | | | | qualifications will be recognised in the chosen |
| years it pulled me back to Europe and I settled in | | | | country. If not, find out what is involved in getting |
| London (UK). Another five years later I went on a | | | | that recognition. Next, check whether there is |
| holiday to Spain and fell in love with Granada in | | | | demand for the type of skills you have. Thanks |
| Andalusia. Some eight months after that first visit | | | | to the internet this is much easier now than it |
| I decided to find out whether the magic Granada | | | | was when I moved to Australia. I learnt the hard |
| held for me would survive everyday life. Now, | | | | way. You might consider a career change. |
| another 4 years later, I can sum it up with one | | | | Changing country and career at the same time |
| word: yes. | | | | can be very rewarding but also adds another |
| I have always associated only positive things with | | | | layer of difficulty. |
| living in a different country: really getting to know | | | | 4. Give some thought to where you want to live. |
| another culture, personal growth, making new | | | | Whether you are thinking of buying or renting |
| friends, finding new perspectives on many | | | | study the housing market. Find out what you can |
| aspects of life, adventure, fun. But I also meet | | | | get where for what price. You won't be living |
| many people who have trouble settling in, never | | | | your dream if you imagined yourself in a lovely |
| feel at home in their chosen country, have | | | | apartment in the centre of town but can't find or |
| difficulty finding work or make friends. | | | | afford it and end up miles away in a country |
| Whether you are still dreaming or have already | | | | cottage. |
| made your decision, if you take these tips into | | | | 5. Don't go without money. You don't have to be |
| consideration settling into your knew environment | | | | a millionaire but setting up home in a new country |
| will be a lot easier. | | | | does incur expenses that you shouldn't |
| 1. Chose your country carefully. Having fun | | | | underestimate: Consider the relocation costs, the |
| somewhere for two weeks is one thing, making a | | | | money you need to rent your first home, to find |
| living there another. Ask yourself whether you | | | | work and to survive until that first pay cheque |
| really like the place, culture, weather etc. enough | | | | comes in. |
| to live there. If you can, spend a longer period of | | | | 6. Be prepared that you will miss your family and |
| time there before making your decision. | | | | friends from home. If you have a very close |
| 2. Make an effort to learn the language - before | | | | connection to your loved ones and/or you are |
| you move. Needless to say that without language | | | | moving far away this can turn into a big problem |
| skills it will be difficult to find work, make friends | | | | for everyone involved. These days, with cheap |
| and have fun in your new home country. I know | | | | flights and Skype, things are easier than when |
| that many language schools and courses promise | | | | moving to Australia meant a months long |
| that all you have to do is be in a country in order | | | | one-way boat trip but still, think about how you |
| to learn the language, effortless of course. After | | | | are planning to stay in touch. |
| all, this is how children learn, right? Wrong. As an | | | | 7. Keep in mind that it doesn't have to be a final |
| adult you simply do not learn like a child and just | | | | decision. Just because you decide now to move |
| because everybody else around you speaks a | | | | to another country doesn't mean you have to |
| language doesn't mean you, magically, will too. I | | | | stay there for the rest of your life. If things don't |
| often meet people who have been living in a | | | | work out you can always go back or go |
| country for years but still have trouble expressing | | | | somewhere else and sill have gained, if not |
| themselves well. Of course, they can order food, | | | | financially so without a doubt valuable experiences. |
| ask for directions, have a conversation but there | | | | Moving abroad can be the best decision you will |
| are many situations when more is needed and | | | | ever make. Just plan it well, be realistic and keep |
| frustration is guaranteed when you simply cannot | | | | an open mind. So, don't just dream - make a |
| say what and how you want to. | | | | move. |
| If you have a basic or intermediate level upon | | | | |