Emigration: How a Dream Becomes a Concrete Plan
In my last post, I talked about where the desire to move abroad came from and shared our love for America. So, why are we ultimately heading to Singapore? Well, there are several reasons, particularly related to the “how.” The dream of a “new” life abroad is not so easy to realize.
How does one actually move abroad, and what is necessary for it? The fact is: the dream of living abroad alone is not enough. And let’s be honest: it doesn’t really exist. Life abroad won’t be a permanent vacation; it will be life. With its ups and downs. Completely unfamiliar, without social contacts, without a set routine, without stability in daily life, and with unpredictable events. One must come to terms with this beforehand.
That’s why many people probably hesitate in the end, even if they’ve been playing with the idea for a long time. Perhaps the attachment to home is too strong, the bond with family and friends too tight, or life and its daily routine too comfortable. The temptation is great to continue living life as it is, with the friends you’ve grown so fond of or the relatives you’ve spent your whole life with. One must be open to change and need a strong inner drive, especially to leave comfortable situations. Stepping out of the comfort zone.
And: The desire to live abroad must be immense. Immense enough that even setbacks don’t shake you, because they will come. We faced significant and minor challenges on our path abroad, questioned many things, discarded plans, and made new ones. Nevertheless, the desire to follow through always remained and drove us to continue and not be deterred.
However, this is anything but easy because, honestly: No matter how good your circle of friends or how strong the family bond, not everyone can understand your desire. One must therefore be prepared for not receiving unanimous approval. Our family and friends reacted differently: for some, the desire was incomprehensible, while others saw a great opportunity for us.
But surely no one was looking forward to seeing us less or not at all in the foreseeable future. Personally, I found that confusing comments and reactions motivated me more; the dream became somewhat more exclusive. It was like saying, “Now more than ever.” For Daniel, the argument of language and professional, but especially personal, development was always decisive. Everyone is different in this regard.
The topic of finances also plays a crucial role, as moving abroad is unfortunately not free and can be very expensive. Therefore, one should save enough money (some expatriates recommend at least six months’ salary). In any case, you should start early to check the job market in your destination country. What are the conditions, and what are the chances of finding a job in your own field? Might it be worthwhile to pursue further education or self-employment? Do you need a work visa upon entry, or can you enter the country on another visa and look for a job locally? I’ve heard of some people applying for jobs abroad through LinkedIn and being hired without any personal contact in the new country, sometimes including a visa. However, this often involves a bit of luck.
A safer route is through your employer. Moving abroad with a company that has an international presence is, at first glance, easier, at least in terms of visa issues and financial means. However, you are also tied to a specific contract and its associated obligations, which might limit your choice of countries and job opportunities.
In the end, we chose the safer path and will be moving abroad through Daniel’s employer. This is also why we are now moving to Singapore, rather than the USA, where we originally wanted to go. The decision did not happen overnight and occupied our minds for a while. It was clear, especially after the Pre-Move-Visit, which was kindly arranged by Daniel’s employer, that we would give it a try. In the end, the desire for an overseas stay was so strong and the planning so advanced that the country became a secondary priority.
Addendum April 2020: In retrospect, I’m not sure if I would make the same decision again. The country you move to plays a significant role, and if you have a good gut feeling, can identify with the culture, land, and people, and can imagine living there, you should trust that and pursue that goal. And if in doubt, maybe wait a bit longer until it works out.
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