Ever Dreamt of Moving Abroad? 5 Reasons That Will Have You Packing Your Bags
Time to un-dust that suitcase, people.
In the past 6 year, I (Hannah) have moved abroad twice.
The first time was to Edinburgh, Scotland where I lived for 5 months and the second time was to Lund, Sweden where I lived for a year.
And let me tell you, there are few decisions in life that I regret less.
Edinburgh brought me bagpipes, haggis, and a whole lot of kilts, while Lund gifted me with a year of Swedish (veggie) meatballs and the relaxed, slow-placed Swedish vibe. But it wasn't just about the quirky experiences or cultural immersion. It was about way more.
You might be reading this, wondering whether you should make the leap to move abroad as well.
My answer is yes. Yes, you should.
But if that alone doesn’t convince you, let me give you 5 reasons why.
To Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone
Everyone loves their comfort zone - the autopilot of life that keeps things easy.
But it also keeps things repetitive.
The 20th time you’ve ordered takeaway from that one Chinese place, the 100th time you’ve sat down on the couch to watch The Office, the 1000th time you’ve done your groceries at the local supermarket.
Just to be clear - I don’t judge (especially not The Office part).
But moving abroad breaks this cycle.
Imagine taking the bus the wrong way, discovering a beautiful forest, and going for a spontaneous walk. Picture shopping in the grocery store, grabbing ingredients you don't fully understand, and cooking up your most creative meal yet. Or taking a different route during your neighborhood stroll and bumping into unique local stores and new artisanal cafés for the first time.
Moving abroad constantly surprises you, and while it can be tiring, it's 100% worth it.
You break free from the mundane, opening yourself to unexpected and unforgettable life experiences.
To Get To Know Yourself Better
Moving abroad allows you to reflect on your “old” life whilst embracing the unknown.
Stripped away from the comforts of your old life, you're faced with questions: Who are you without the familiar faces and surroundings? What energizes or drains you? Where is your life headed, and what habits need reevaluation?
You have this empty canvas to color in with new activities and habits.
It's a chance to redefine yourself.
You can revisit childhood hobbies or stumble upon entirely new passions.
For instance, I once confined my singing to solo shower performances (sorry about that roomies). Yet, in Sweden, I joined a student choir, and now I'm part of a singing group back home. Rediscovering this passion enhanced my confidence and solidified my identity as a singer.
Moving abroad is more than a change of location; it’s an opportunity to get to know yourself on a deeper level. It's about boldly coloring outside the lines of your comfort zone to create a narrative that authentically reflects who you are and where you want to go.
And you get to do cool things along the way.
To Make Lifelong Memories
Imagine doing so many fun things each week, that you get to reminisce for years and years to come.
We all know how tricky it is to recall what went down last month or even what you had for dinner last night. But when you’re living abroad, you experience so many things for the first time - you’re bound to remember them for a long time.
I still think back on my road trip through the Scottish Highlands with two friends. Visiting Loch Ness and taking a shot of whiskey on the water’s edge because I lost a bet, getting a flat tire and being saved by a friendly mechanic who coincidentally drove past, and listening to Post Malone’s “Better Now” for the 1000th time because of Katrin’s obsession. And these memories still makes me smile on a regular basis.
Now, think about your fondest travel memories - the first cocktail on the beach, the first dip in the refreshing pool, the first time trying out the amazing local cuisine.
Imagine having a truckload of these "firsts" on a weekly basis. A constant flow of new, exciting experiences that give you an incredible dopamine rush.
It's the kind of life where every week is a new episode of a show you can't stop binge-watching. A never-ending series of smiles and excitement. And you’re the main character!
Plus you get to have some pretty cool co-stars.
To make lifelong friends
The best part of moving abroad is meeting new people and forging friendships that go the distance.
Sure, let's be real—it can be a bit like navigating a social maze at the beginning. Awkward moments? Check. Some trial and error? Absolutely. But here's the gem: once you stumble upon those fantastic people who make your days brighter, consider your mission accomplished.
And in my experience, you never let them go 🤓
Remember Katrin from the Scottish Highland trip? Whilst I moved back to The Netherlands, she moved to Sweden for her studies. So when I did the same thing, I went to where she lived to catch up and hang out! And the beauty of these lifelong friendships, it’s as if nothing has changed. You pick up right where you left off.
Since you don’t have endless to-do lists or mandatory full weekends like you’d usually have back at home, you have a lot time to do whatever you want. This freedom and a strong desire to make the most of your time abroad are powerful magnets for the right people to find each other and stick together.
You’ll instantly create a strong bond because of the frequency of meeting up, the excitement around your plans and activities, and the joy of exploring a place and its culture together.
Living abroad isn't just about changing locations - it's about finding your tribe and creating bonds that withstand time zones and kilometers.
And maybe about discovering the beauty that is earth.
To Explore the World
When you’re in a new environment for the first time, you naturally want to go and discover it.
Which cities are around here? Any unique natural wonders to admire? Or what about some random out-of-the-blue activity like a visiting a drive-through Moose Farm?
Yup, I did that in Sweden.
You end up traveling more than the people who call the country home. One of the top things locals will tell you is “Wow, you’ve been there? I’ve always wanted to go, but never have!”
For example, my friends and I went to Swedish Lapland during our year abroad. A once in a lifetime trip that will make you fall in love with nature and the world around you. But when we came back, a lot of Swedish people told us that they’d never been before. Even though it’s part of their home country!
It's a reminder that, sometimes, the most extraordinary discoveries are hidden in plain sight. And by going abroad, you’re motivated to find as many of them as possible.
But what if we turn this around?
You’re currently living in a country. Which activities and locations are tourists and expats visiting that you haven’t yet?
Moving abroad is one - very effective - way to explore the world, but so is going out and discovering the hidden gems in your backyard.
You might be surprised with the beauty and adventure that surrounds you!
So, did I convince you?
Perhaps you’re already packing your bags. Or maybe you’ve already searched for exciting places to discover a bit closer to home.
In both cases - enjoy!
It’s a blessing that we get to explore the world around us, meet new people, and make memories along the way.
Speaking of memories, next week will be about Mike’s first ever solo adventure. Are there any things you’re curious about regarding his experience? Perhaps how he dealt with it as an introvert?
Let us know in the comments and he’ll try to answer your questions in next week’s post!
We’ll see you next week <3
So true ! Love how you can bring the mindset to where you are now, it's truly wherever you are
Brings back memories 🥰 thanks for sharing your experience Hannah ❤️