LIFESTYLE:The Heart of the Matter: Should We Move to Another Country for Love?

 

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If you’re thinking of moving your relationship forward, but you are both in different countries, you may wonder if it is worth taking that leap and going through the process to live with them. But if you are thinking about moving abroad for love, what do you really have to consider? 



Is it Practical? 

The first thing we've got to really consider, even though our heart is telling us to just go for it, is the number of hoops we need to jump through. The average UK spouse visa application can take a few months based on a number of factors, not to mention the fact that there is a significant financial investment, so you've got to really think about the practicalities. It sounds very boring, especially when you want to make that romantic leap into a new life, but the opportunities to prepare will give you the time to really think about what this person gives to you and your life.



What Are Your Expectations of Living in Another Country? 

You might think that learning a new language and cooking the national food is a simple way to ingratiate yourself with a culture, but you have to decide if you are going to be able to adapt to life in a new country in a way that doesn't make you feel uncomfortable and yearn for your home. There is that difficult period when you move to another country, where, after it starts feeling like a holiday, and you are now in a place that doesn't just feel foreign to you, but everything feels different, even something as simple as a kettle- it just doesn’t feel right. Of course, when you are going somewhere for love, you are taking the leap, and it's important the person you're doing this for understands that you are making a massive sacrifice. 



Be Honest With Yourself

You shouldn't only be honest with yourself, but you should be honest with your partner. You are going through the process together, even though you are moving abroad. And it can be incredibly lonely. It's so important to be honest and let them know if you're having a hard time. You may have certain expectations of living in another country, but when you live an ex-pat life, it can be a struggle in so many ways. If you have a partner that understands, they should be able to help you through this difficult time. 



Keep Your Identity

When we move somewhere, we can feel that we have to fit in and conform, but it's important for you to keep your heritage alive. The people that you meet in a new country care about who you are, and they should be interested in where you come from because it is who you are. When we think about meeting new people, we should learn to adopt their cultures, because it's polite and it is a great way for us to learn. But also, they should be willing to do the same for us. Sometimes, we can feel homesick, and it's these moments when we need to do the things that remind us of home, whether it's ordering tea bags online, or watching tv that we enjoyed when we were younger. Moving abroad for love can be the best thing you ever do, as long as you think about it.

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