Starting A Career In Another Country
Living abroad is an attractive option for many people because it offers the chance to explore a new culture while also providing a fresh perspective on one’s home country. However, with all the pros there are some consideration that need to be made before you decide if living abroad is the right choice for you.
This post will help guide you through your decision process and provide tips on how to make your experience as smooth as possible. You may even find that this process produces some unexpected benefits for you, such as increased mental resilience and independence! But remember: everyone's experience will be different depending on where they are from, what their profession is, and where they intend to live. My goal with this post is to help you become as informed as possible before you decide so that your transition will be successful.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ABROAD AND A GREEK ISLAND?
- Abroad: living and working in another country, for example, Australia or New Zealand.
- Greek Island: a group of Islands in the central Mediterranean Sea, including the largest island and country in the world: Greece. The largest metropolitan area is Athens (1.25 million people) while other major cities include Thessaloniki (600,000), Patras (350,000), and Piraeus (310,000). According to Eurostat, the 2016 unemployment rate in Greece was 23.2%.
ABROAD VS Greek Island - WHICH COUNTRY TO VISIT?
- Abroad: New Zealand has a population of: 4.8 million (2016). It is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean and consists of 2 main islands (North Island and South Island) and 15 smaller islands that make up a total area of 268,702 km². It is also known as being one of the most scenic countries with breathtaking landscapes that you can find on Earth.
- Greek Island: Greece has a population of: 10.77 million (2016). It is located in the southern part of Europe and its capital city is Athens (1.25 million people). The largest metropolitan area is Athens (1.25 million people) while other major cities include: Thessaloniki (600,000), Patras (350,000), and Piraeus (310,000).
ABROAD VS Greek Island - WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
- Abroad: New Zealand has a population of: 4.8 million. It is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean and consists of 2 main islands (North Island and South Island) and 15 smaller islands that make up a total area of 268,702 km². It is also known as being one of the most scenic countries with breathtaking landscapes that you can find on Earth.
- Greek Island: Greece has a population of: 10.77 million. It is located in the southern part of Europe and its capital city is Athens (1.25 million people). The largest metropolitan area is Athens (1.25 million people) while other major cities include: Thessaloniki (600,000), Patras (350,000), and Piraeus (310,000).
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
ANSWERING THIS QUESTION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS! Living in a different country will provide you with a new perspective on life that may open up possibilities that were not available previously.
HOW DO YOU GET HERE?
Depending on your profession, the techniques and requirements that you need to adapt to may vary. For example, a business executive who has visited New Zealand may know how to construct his projects from scratch in a different country. On the other hand, an engineer who has never been outside of the United States may need to think about how best to structure his company or team for success and preparation for when he moves abroad will be crucial.
WHERE TO LIVE?
There are many options available when emigrating and there are places that suit everyone's needs whether you're looking for a beachfront house or seclusion at an eco-resort. Whether you choose to live in New Zealand or Greece may depend on a variety of factors, including:
- Cost of living
- Job opportunities
- Climate
- Quality of life
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE?
One of the most important things about moving abroad is that you are aware that this is a major decision and you are motivated to take action. While some people may want to go abroad due to love, others might want to become self-employed or simply want a change in lifestyle. Moving abroad can be incredibly fulfilling if you know what your personal motivators are so how do you decide what changes you want? You can use exercises like the S.M.A.R.T. Checklist to help you sort the goals you have into categories such as, Short-term, Medium-term and Long-term.
(1) What's the thing(s) that will make me happiest if I accomplish it? For example, if your goal is to get to know someone new in an overseas country, this might be your long term motivator.
(2) What's the next step to achieving my goal? For example, if your long-term motivator is to work with children who cannot speak English and you would like to find out about volunteer opportunities, this is a short-term benefit that may help you connect with an organization or a family that can help you get there.
(3) What's the first thing I need to do to accomplish my goal? For example, you might want to start saving money for a future trip.
(4) What will I have accomplished or learned by doing this? For example, you might find out how much it costs to travel overseas or how much your potential host family will charge for rent. In this case, when you return from your trip abroad you can use your experience to set up a budget that could save you money in the future.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO MOVE ABROAD?
There are several main factors to consider when deciding this and it might be different for everyone depending on the situation.
(1) How long do I want my stay in the country to be?
(2) Will there be continuity of jobs and housing once I am gone? You will want to plan your move several years in advance so that you can qualify for as many benefits as possible.
WHAT ARE THE TOP 5 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN MOVING ABROAD?
(1) Getting your passport If you are an American citizen and have never had your passport, you will need to fill out the appropriate forms, pay the fee and bring initial evidence of U.S. citizenship (your birth certificate) to a passport acceptance facility near you. (In this case, it may be easier for you to go to a passport agency). If you already have a U.S. passport that has expired or will expire within the next 6 months, go to any passport agency or office and renew it in person with a valid photo ID (You will likely need 2 forms of ID).
Conclusion:
I hope that the information provided above is helpful. I wish good luck to all of you who are strongly considering living abroad and ask anyone who has any questions to comment below. You are always welcome to visit my other pages and blogs - "Conquering the World by Playing Videogames" and "The Bipolar Gamer."
The goal of this guide is not only to help you make your move a smooth transition but also for it be a great one. Moving abroad can be an exciting experience, especially if you know what option is best for you - New Zealand or Greece!
All the Best!
Disclaimer: The information listed above is based on personal research and should not be considered legal or professional advice (disclaimer).