What To Keep In Mind Before Moving To a New Country

And so, the adventure begins…

Moving to a different country is challenging. I should know, I’ve done it twice. The first move was made in a complete display of spontaneity following a life-changing conversation at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant (but that’s for another blog post). The second move, the one I made two months ago, also involved some spontaneity, but was much more thought out and prepared for. Both moves, however, were equal parts nerve-wracking and exciting.  

The Thing About Change

I’m no stranger to change, especially unexpected change. I’ve attended three high schools in four years, lived in six houses, and worked six or seven jobs since I was fifteen. Moving to a new country is a different beast, though. It almost feels like a total reset, which I guess is the best and the worst part. On one hand, there’s the chance to reinvent yourself; to shed the weight of an unpleasant past and embrace the concept of a blank canvas. On the other hand, if you’re a pessimistic overthinker like I tend to be, you’re plagued with looming questions like “What if I end up hating this place?” “What if I don’t make any friends?” “Did I rush into this?” and the list goes on and on.

Despite all this, a major lesson the past two years have taught me is that things work out well in the end. They may not work out the way you want or expect them to, but that doesn’t mean that they haven’t worked out well. Since I moved to Canada two months ago, I’ve had to internalize this. I believe moving to a new country was a good choice for me but even if it isn’t, it’s not the end of the world. It’s just time to reassess. If you’ve recently made a big move or are thinking about doing so, I hope this post alleviates some pressure or fear. Give yourself credit for taking such a bold step and trust that whatever happens, you’ll be okay.  

Have you made a big move before? How did it go? Leave a comment below!