Ten Tips To Help You Pursue Your Expat Path

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Becoming an expat is an exciting journey. You're ready for a big change. It's a decision that involves much thought and evaluation. It also involves careful scrutiny of your expat options.

Most importantly, this is a process in which you have to do your homework.  Be prepared! That means a lot of online searching, asking questions, finding out "how to" -- about anything and everything.  This is crucial for the well being of you and your family. You don't want to move and be surprised. 

After this exploration comes the time when you're ready to just do it. Go for it!

Once you make your decision and get the expat passion for relocating, you will be eager to get on your way. This decision may generate more energy than you've had in a long time! 

Here are 10 tips to help facilitate your expat passage:

1.    Repeat - Do your homework.  You need to know everything you can about your new country, its immigration laws, banking laws, employment laws - laws in general.  Visit and go off the beaten path to talk to residents. Get something besides the tourist view.

2.    Start learning. Immerse yourself in the language and customs.

3.    Be supportive of your kids. They can be reluctant to make changes. Help them learn where they're going; discuss the positives of this move. Teach them to use Skype to stay in touch with relatives and friends back home.  Help them understand they are not "leaving" - they are "arriving" at new adventures and experiences. 

4.     Always be realistic. Don't be thrown off balance by the unexpected before or after you move. Prepare for the worst and be delighted by the best. Share this philosophy with the family. Who knows what new possibilities this move will bring!

5.    Nothing is perfect - at home or abroad. Ever. Stay focused on what you love about your new home. Get to know the locals. Get involved in what is going on, participate with both locals and expats in friendly exchanges and planned events.

6.    It takes confidence to make an expat move. Use that confidence to build your new life, one day at a time. Relax and observe whatever is new and different. You and the kids can keep a journal, take photos, write a blog --- get the creative juices going.

7.    Don't move to make waves abroad. It's a waste of your time and energy.  Stay home to do that. Move because you respect your new country and its people. Emphasize the positive -- become a valued member of the community. Be a good role model for the kids, not an "ugly American."

8.    Stay connected. Throughout the experience share thoughts with your family - of what is happening and how you feel about it, then listen to how they feel about it. Talk. Keep the communication going as much as possible.  Also maintain your contacts back home.  Heck - you'll probably have lots of visitors eager to check out your new life.

9.    Know when it's time to leave. This can be hard, but if it's not working out, then you know what you have to do. Give it time - you may view things differently in a couple months. If not - make preparations.  Be sure you have the provided for this possibility and can return if necessary.

10.     Use the services of a trusted real estate agent. This is crucial. Buying real estate abroad is not the same as back home. You need expert help and support. 


Macarena Rose is the owner of Rainforest Realty, a Belize-based real estate agency.