[Originally published on 7 August 2012]

Living abroad is basically the same as living in our own country: you need to find a place to live, go to groceries, pay our bills, find and job and stick with it, use the transportation system, make friends, get along with co-workers… However, it is also completely different because you have to use a different language all the time (even if you go to a country where people speak the same language, there are different expressions and pronunciations that make you feel you’re dealing with a completely different language) and deal with a different culture. Plus, you’re far away from your familiar places, your family and your “old” friends.

How you balance all of this will tell you whether you can handle it or not. Some people get into depression, others just excel like they have never done before. Some people can’t handle how much they miss what they left behind, others just focus on their daily routine and carry on. You don’t know which way you’re going until you start walking.

If you’re going with another person… be aware. Things WILL get tough and when they do they will reflect on your relationship. Best friends could stop talking with each other, romantic relationships could end badly. And don’t be naïve saying “that will never happen to me”. It can. Of course you can overcome all that and your relationship actually will become stronger.

Everything could happen. And you don’t know what until you try. The sure thing is that you’ll be a different person after this experience.

Check other articles related to travelling.