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The Global Insight

What is difficult about moving to a new country?

Author

Christopher Davis

Updated on March 13, 2026

Language Barrier If you’re moving to a new country that has a native language different than your mother tongue, you’re bound to experience communication barriers. Although learning a language may not be as easy as it was when you were eight-years-old, it’s not impossible.

What’s it like moving to a new country?

Moving to a new country is equal parts exhilarating and scary. You never realize quite how strongly tied to the culture of your home country you are until you move abroad and are faced with a culture—and possibly a language—that is markedly different than your own. You’ll definitely feel the change.

What is it called when the people move to a new country?

While migrant is the term used to describe someone moving between different countries to find work or better living conditions, immigrant refers to people relocating to a new country to live on a permanent basis. Emigrant is a person who leaves their own country in order to settle permanently in another one.

Is moving abroad selfish?

No matter how you try to sugarcoat it, moving abroad is essentially a selfish choice. It’s great that you’re living your dream and are choosing the life (you think) you want, but really, you’re not making anyone happy but yourself.

Is to come into another country to live permanently?

Emigrate means to leave one’s country to live in another. Immigrate is to come into another country to live permanently. Migrate is to move, like birds in the winter.

Is 40 too old to move abroad?

It is far from too late to make the move around 40 years old, on the contrary can it be really fun. You are, of course, migrating to another location and it will take time to build up a new social network, you might have to learn another language and ensure that you can somehow provide for yourself.

Why did I make the decision to move abroad?

Moving abroad has allowed me to lead a life of adventure, it’s led me to the person I married, and a continuing expat life abroad. Every decision to move overseas is still one of my best, because of all the amazing things that have happened because of them.

Why was I so nervous about moving abroad?

— I was completely nervous about moving abroad. A part of me wanted to turn around and go back to the safety of my parents’ home and never, ever go anywhere again. Fast forward 10 years and I was on my way to another country again. This time it was Thailand. Before I boarded my flight I had gone through many sleepless nights.

What happens to your mind when you move to a new country?

It opens your mind to other cultures and allows you to understand the world around you. After a while you will learn how to communicate with others using only your body language, which is also a fun and amusing way of talking with people. Useful tips: Learn a few phrases in the language of your new home.

What’s the most powerful feeling after moving abroad?

It’s been an amazing journey that has taught me more about life, love and fear than any education or self-help book ever could. To build a new existence far away from everything you know and believe in is the most powerful feeling in the world. People who have moved abroad will nod their heads in agreement.