Source: Freepik
Culture shock, language barrier, increased expenses, and expat burnout are all common challenges of moving abroad.
As a Hungarian expat, here are five steps you can take to overcome challenges and live a fulfilling expat life:
1. Do Robust Financial Planning
From managing taxes to sending money home, living abroad is expensive. Lack of financial planning can put a significant dent in your wallet. Here are some tips you should follow to overcome economic challenges:
- Open a bank in your new country to handle day-to-day transactions.
- Create a budget and evaluate living expenses, including housing, transportation, food, and healthcare.
- Pay special attention to currency exchange rates when you transfer money to Hungary. Consider various options and choose the one with low international transaction fees.
- Don't neglect your tax responsibilities in a foreign country. Evaluate your Visa status and figure out what taxes apply to you.
- Create an emergency fund to deal with unexpected medical bills and income loss.
- Get health insurance to manage the cost of treatments.
2. Manage Culture Shock with Openmindedness
New cuisine, unfamiliar transit systems, and unknown traditions can be challenging to get used to. You might experience culture shock in the form of disturbed sleep patterns, irritability, and paranoia. Here's how you can manage culture shock:
- Research the culture and traditions of your new home before moving.
- Connect with locals and remain open-minded and curious.
- Embrace cultural differences.
- Check in on yourself. Prioritize healthy habits, such as exercise and meditation, to manage stress.
3. Learn the Local Language
Language barrier is a critical issue when moving abroad. It can hinder day-to-day activities, such as grocery shopping and going to the doctor. Moreover, the inability to communicate with locals can foster feelings of loneliness and make it difficult to make friends.
Start learning the local language before you move to your new country. Learn basic phrases and expressions before moving on to grammar and fluency. You can take online classes or join in-person courses to improve your pronunciation and vocabulary.
4. Manage Stress by Building a Social Network
Over 90% of global expats experience stress and burnout. Expat burnout can manifest in physical symptoms, such as chest pain, dizziness, and heartaches. Understanding that settling into a new place takes time.
Start by connecting with other Hungarian expats in your area. It will create a sense of familiarity and give you a safe space to share challenges.
Join social clubs based on your interests. This will help you blend in with the locals and create lifelong friendships. Whether it's going on a hiking adventure or taking a foreign cooking class, step out of your comfort zone and build a social network.
5. Share Day-to-day Life Updates with Family
Leaving friends, family, and familial surroundings and moving to a foreign land is challenging. You might experience loneliness, homesickness, and isolation. As you and your family become absorbed in life, it will take considerable effort to stay in touch.
Video calls, through Skype, Zoom, and FaceTime, are one of the easiest ways to stay connected with your family. Share pictures and short videos from your day-to-day activities with friends and family. Whether you're trying a new restaurant or exploring a new part of the city, giving small updates can help you feel less lonely.
