{"id":1988,"date":"2017-08-25T08:32:10","date_gmt":"2017-08-25T06:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/expatchild.com\/expatdirectory\/?p=1988"},"modified":"2026-02-17T12:51:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T12:51:22","slug":"the-four-key-challenges-new-expats-face","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expatchild.com\/expatdirectory\/the-four-key-challenges-new-expats-face\/","title":{"rendered":"The four key challenges new expats face"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Being an expat isn\u2019t easy<\/h2>\n<p>No one ever said that being an expat was easy; in fact, when you\u2019re starting out, it\u2019s about as far from the romantic ideal of a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #ff6600;\">carefree life in the sun<\/span> as you could possibly get. With so much to plan and organise it feels chaotic at best and disastrous at worst. But stick with it, there are lots of ways to make it easier on yourself and lots of advice available to help you overcome the stressful bits.<\/p>\n<p>Every family is different and for every expat there\u2019s a unique story, but I\u2019ve found that there are some common themes. Here, I&#8217;ll explore the four key challenges that every expat faces and point you in the right direction with some helpful advice.<\/p>\n<h3>1. Relationships<\/h3>\n<p>First and foremost on the list of commonalities is <span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #ff6600;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/expatchild.com\/expat-isolation-how-to-cope\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">loneliness<\/a> <\/span>\u2013 either being lonely, or worrying about being lonely. Missing <span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #ff6600;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/expatchild.com\/grandparents-expats-family-left-behind\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the people you\u2019ve left behind<\/a><\/span>, not being able to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #ff6600;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/expatchild.com\/make-new-friends-new-country\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">make new friends<\/a><\/span>, not <span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #ff6600;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/expatchild.com\/importance-learning-language\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">speaking the language<\/a><\/span> and not understanding <span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #ff6600;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/expatchild.com\/culture-shock-graph\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the culture<\/a><\/span> are a few of the most oft-repeated concerns.<\/p>\n<p>Loneliness is a slippery slope. It starts with a feeling of unease and isolation, which you overcome by keeping yourself busy. The trouble is, it\u2019s <span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #ff6600;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/expatchild.com\/how-to-cope-comedown-when-move-overseas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">not the same as boredom<\/a><\/span> and it\u2019s not so easily dissuaded \u2013 left unattended, loneliness can lead to depression and a detriment to your physical well-being.<\/p>\n<p>For all people, relationships are important. Avoid loneliness by\u2026<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Having a robust plan to <span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/expatchild.com\/expat-keep-up-to-date-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">keep in touch with your loved ones at home<\/a><\/span>.<\/span> Skype, phone, email and write good old fashioned letters. Letters can actually be a great comfort purely because they\u2019re tangible; you can hold them in your hand, you can send and receive little gifts and you can revisit them time and again when you feel the need. <span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/expatchild.com\/first-visit-home-after-relocating-overseas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Plan your visits<\/a><\/span><\/span> ahead of time too \u2013 both for you to go \u2018home\u2019 and for people to come to you, giving yourself something to look forward to.<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t leave it until you actually move to start networking. Look for Facebook groups in your new locale and join them \u2013 reach out to people, tell them you\u2019re moving soon and you\u2019d like their support. Never underestimate the goodwill that\u2019s out there. Plenty of people will be happy to make suggestions, arrange meetups when you arrive and chat online about what you can expect. Have a zero-tolerance policy on negativity though \u2013 trolls are few and far between but there\u2019s always one, don\u2019t let them influence you. Try my own <span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #ff6600;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/ExpatabilityClub\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Expatability Chat group<\/a><\/span> to get you going.<\/li>\n<li>Learn some <span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #ff6600;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/expatchild.com\/learn-language-online-free\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">basic conversational phrases in the new language<\/a><\/span>. This is one worry you have the power to remove completely before you leave. You don\u2019t have to be fluent in the language to be able to connect with people; some basic small talk options about the weather, being able to ask people how they are and being able to show an interest in their activities is all you need to start making friends.<\/li>\n<li>Culture can be tricky. Depending where in the world you are moving there may be specific rules on conduct for men and women. As long as you go into it with your eyes open (do your research!) you should be informed enough to avoid any social faux pas. Immerse yourself in the local culture; don\u2019t let it hold you back.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3>2. So many choices!<\/h3>\n<p>Another common worry, especially for those moving with their families, is making the right choices \u2013 preschools, schools, healthcare, houses etc.<\/p>\n<p>Although we all worry about it, thankfully, this one is relatively simple to overcome. <span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/expatchild.com\/how-to-research-your-move-abroad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Make sure your research is robust<\/a><\/span><\/span>; you\u2019ve networked, searched, checked and double checked and you feel you <span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/expatchild.com\/make-most-look-see-visit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">know as much as possible about the area<\/a><\/span><\/span> and the facilities you have chosen. You\u2019ll find plenty of detailed articles on this site, giving advice on the means and methods of research and helping you to make great, well informed decisions.<\/p>\n<p>More than this, keep an open mind and remember that there are no absolutes; nothing is forever. If you move and you discover the school, or the doctor\u2019s surgery, you\u2019ve registered with isn\u2019t everything you thought it would be \u2013 go back to the drawing board and start again. This is <em>your <\/em>adventure and you have every right to live it your way, so you don\u2019t have to settle for less than perfect.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Cost of living<\/h3>\n<p>In every country, and indeed every city of the world, the cost of living is a variable and you\u2019re going to need to understand the differences if you\u2019re going to be able to afford to survive.<\/p>\n<p>The <span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.expatistan.com\/cost-of-living\/index\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Expatistan Cost of Living Index<\/a><\/span><\/span>, is a helpful tool that will give you a basic idea of what to expect.<\/p>\n<p>The data is collected from visitors and is kept as up to date as possible. So, in 2017 for example, if you\u2019re moving from Amsterdam to Doha in Qatar, you can see clearly that your cost of living will increase significantly. This isn\u2019t the only index you\u2019ll find, the internet is full of similar examples, so there\u2019s no excuse for not knowing what to expect &#8211; and knowledge is power!<\/p>\n<p>To overcome any worries about the cost of living you will need to <span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/expatchild.com\/how-much-does-it-cost-to-move-abroad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">plan your finances carefully<\/a><\/span><\/span>; talk to your bank and find out about onshore vs offshore bank accounts. Research the best deals on transferring money to avoid being stung with outlandish transfer fees. Find out the average wage in the area of your choice and start making some preliminary calculations.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Finding work<\/h3>\n<p>For many people, the reason for moving to a new country is that they\u2019ve been offered a new job opportunity \u2013 but most commonly this only applies to one member of the household. If you\u2019re the \u2018<span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #ff6600;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/expatchild.com\/expat-stress-trailing-spouse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">trailing spouse<\/a><\/span>\u2019, or if your reasons for moving are completely different, then at some point you\u2019ll need to face the common problem of finding a job.<\/p>\n<p>Although you may feel that finding work in a different country is a completely new ball game, the basic principles are reassuringly similar. Your starting point is a great CV and a positive attitude. There are some differences to look out for though.<\/p>\n<p>If you live in the UK for example, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #ff6600;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/expatchild.com\/im-british-expat-will-i-protected-english-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">equality laws<\/a><\/span> prevent employers from asking about your age, your marital status and your nationality. UK CVs shouldn\u2019t include a photograph or any personal information\u2013 but in other countries these laws are different. Outside of the UK you will find that a photo on a CV is a common expectation, as is stating your nationality and other personal information. The reasons vary &#8211; in Saudi Arabia it is illegal for a man to teach in a girl\u2019s school; in Afghanistan there are restrictions on women in the workplace and many positions \u2013 for example teachers for English as an Additional Language \u2013 require the candidate to originate from an English speaking country.<\/p>\n<p>As long as you know the rules there is nothing stopping you from sending out your CV to any number of suitable prospective employers and pursuing a wide variety of job opportunities. Be prepared to start small; it\u2019s unlikely you\u2019ll walk into a position at the same rank as you held in your home country, especially if your language skills are limited.<\/p>\n<p>And make sure your visa will allow you to work too\u2026<\/p>\n<h3>My answer to everything\u2026<\/h3>\n<p>It feels like I\u2019m always banging the same drum &#8211; <span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #ff6600;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/expatchild.com\/how-to-research-your-move-abroad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">RESEARCH! <\/a><\/span>But I can\u2019t stress enough that with strong preparation, you can avoid much of the stress that even these four common problems present.<\/p>\n<p>Obsessive list making may not come naturally to you, but learn to do it effectively and those <span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #ff6600;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.subscribepage.com\/movingchecklist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">lists really could be your saving grace<\/a><\/span>. A good list can be the difference between a smooth transition and a massive headache.<\/p>\n<h3>FREE MOVING OVERSEAS CHECKLIST<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/publications.expatchild.com\/checklist\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft  wp-image-1956\" src=\"http:\/\/expatchild.com\/expatdirectory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Checklist-mockup-transparent-crop-150x150.png\" alt=\"Moving overseas checklist to download\" width=\"235\" height=\"235\" \/><\/a><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #ff6600;\"><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #ff6600;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #ff6600;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.subscribepage.com\/movingchecklist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Get your FREE moving overseas checklist here<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Being an expat isn\u2019t easy No one ever said that being an expat was easy; in fact, when you\u2019re starting out, it\u2019s about as far from the romantic ideal of a carefree life in the sun as you could possibly get. With so much to plan and organise it feels chaotic at best and disastrous [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3189,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_srk_meta_title":"","_srk_meta_description":"","_srk_robots_meta":[],"_srk_canonical_url":"","_srk_advanced_settings":[],"_srk_last_sync":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[86,54],"tags":[116,117,112,57,58,93,101],"class_list":["post-1988","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-expat-life","category-planning-and-preparation","tag-friends","tag-friendships","tag-plan","tag-planning","tag-preparation","tag-prepare","tag-research"],"cubewp_post_meta":[],"taxonomies":["Expat life","Planning and Preparation","friends","friendships","plan","planning","preparation","prepare","research"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Expat Directory - Expat Directory<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Being an expat is not easy. 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Looking at the four key challenges that every expat faces and pointing you in the right direction with some helpful advice.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/expatchild.com\/expatdirectory\/the-four-key-challenges-new-expats-face\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Expat Directory\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-08-25T06:32:10+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-17T12:51:22+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/expatchild.com\/expatdirectory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/expat-challenge.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"666\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Carole Hallett Mobbs\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Expat_Directory\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Expat_Directory\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/expatchild.com\\\/expatdirectory\\\/the-four-key-challenges-new-expats-face\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/expatchild.com\\\/expatdirectory\\\/the-four-key-challenges-new-expats-face\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Carole Hallett Mobbs\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/expatchild.com\\\/expatdirectory\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/017dc5710031839f313c2dacce0a3ec8\"},\"headline\":\"The four key challenges new expats face\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-08-25T06:32:10+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-17T12:51:22+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/expatchild.com\\\/expatdirectory\\\/the-four-key-challenges-new-expats-face\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1342,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/expatchild.com\\\/expatdirectory\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/017dc5710031839f313c2dacce0a3ec8\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/expatchild.com\\\/expatdirectory\\\/the-four-key-challenges-new-expats-face\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/expatchild.com\\\/expatdirectory\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/08\\\/expat-challenge.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"friends\",\"friendships\",\"plan\",\"planning\",\"preparation\",\"prepare\",\"research\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Expat life\",\"Planning and Preparation\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/expatchild.com\\\/expatdirectory\\\/the-four-key-challenges-new-expats-face\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/expatchild.com\\\/expatdirectory\\\/the-four-key-challenges-new-expats-face\\\/\",\"name\":\"The four key challenges new expats face on The Expat Directory\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/expatchild.com\\\/expatdirectory\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/expatchild.com\\\/expatdirectory\\\/the-four-key-challenges-new-expats-face\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/expatchild.com\\\/expatdirectory\\\/the-four-key-challenges-new-expats-face\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/expatchild.com\\\/expatdirectory\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/08\\\/expat-challenge.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-08-25T06:32:10+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-17T12:51:22+00:00\",\"description\":\"Being an expat is not easy. 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