Not defining your why

One of the biggest expat mistakes is jumping into a move without a clear reason for doing it. Your “why” might be career growth, a different pace of life, cultural exploration, or personal reinvention. Whatever it is, define it.

Your “why” becomes your anchor when the initial excitement, also known ad the “honeymoon phase” fades and challenges start to appear.

How to avoid this:

• Write down your motivations
• Set realistic expectations for your new life abroad
• Revisit your “why” during tough days

Not researching your destination

Think you’ll just “figure it out as you go?” This is a bad idea, and can lead to culture shock, financial surprises, insecurity, mismatched expectations and discourage you.

Some mistakes to avoid here include:

• Assuming the cost of living is similar to your home country
• Expecting the weather to match the postcards
• Misjudging job opportunities or commute times
• Not looking into crime and safety
• Expecting the lifestyle to be the same as during your one week holiday there

How to avoid this:

• Research housing, neighborhoods, commute times and transportation
• Look into the cost of living and healthcare, do you need your own insurance?
• What about the job market will it be easy for you to find a job, do you need visa sponsorship? How much is the average salary, will it cover the cost of living.
• Join local expat groups on social and forums to hear real-life experiences and get the best recommendations
• Read blogs, watch vlogs, and compare cities within the country before choosing one that will match the lifestyle you want, and work financially
• Set up a call with a relocation agency
• And finally ask yourself the right expat questions before you take the big leap abroad

Underestimating Bureaucracy

Visas, permits, registrations, insurance, every country has its own maze of paperwork that takes time and cause frustration. It’s often slower than you expect and can be very archaic in some places: you’ll be surprised how some countries still want you to come into office for an in-person appointment and require you print out documents or even slow mail you a password to access a digital platform (I’m not kidding).

How to avoid this:

• Start paperwork early, much earlier than you think you need to
• Keep digital and physical copies of everything
• Ask locals or expats which government processes tend to be tricky
• Brace yourself with patience it’s part of the journey
• Create a checklist of all the paperwork and tasks to do before the leave an upon arrival

Not Acknowledging Cultural Differences

Probably the most common expat mistake is thinking “things will work like they do back home.” Spoiler: they won’t, what is normal to you is new to someone else, and this goes for almost everything in your day-to-day:

• Grocery shopping: going to the store weekly for a big refill, versus daily for fresh produce
• Work etiquette may feel more relaxed, or more rigid, socializing with colleagues may not be very common
• Humor might not translate, and some jokes could come across as rude
• Social norms, such as punctuality or politeness could be completely opposites
• Food in restaurants and in stores will be different

How to avoid this:

• Observe before reacting, this can save you from some embarrassing moments, although there will be some!
• Ask questions instead of making assumptions, try to understand the culture as much as possible.
• Approach differences with curiosity, not frustration and teach your brain to rewire.

It will take time, but as you go you’ll learn to embrace these differences and make them your new norm.

Skipping the Language Basics

Even in places where English is widely spoken, learning the local language, at least some basics is essential for deeper connection and smoother daily life. Locals will be grateful to see you are making an effort and will be much more open to helping you out.

How to avoid this:

• Learn basic phrases before you arrive, download Duolinguo or take a few language classes
• Use language apps consistently, you’ll quickly learn to get around with some vocabulary
• Make “survival language” your first goal, you don’t need to be fluent

Trying to Replicate the Life You Had

Many expats try to recreate the exact routine, relationships, and lifestyle they had back home. You can replicate your old life, but only to a certain extent. Doing so, and expecting your life to be the same as before will lead to disappointment, simply because it’s not the same. You are in a new environment, a new culture, with new friends and a different rythm.

How to avoid this:

• Let the local culture influence your habits.
• Try new foods, weekend activities, and social norms.
• Make new friends, and talk to locals to discover the hidden gems your new home has to offer
• Accept that your new life won’t be a copy, it will be something different (and possibly better)

Only Socializing With Other Expats (and Not Integrating)

As expats, we tend to gravitate toward each other because it’s easy and familiar. But sticking only with expats limits your cultural experience and your understanding of the country.

How to avoid this:

• Balance expat and local friendships
• Attend local events, not just expat meetups
• Get involved in the local community, through volunteering or local clubs
• Say yes to invitations, even if they push you outside your comfort zone.

Not Investing Time to Build New Connections

Don’t underestimate how lonely the expat life can feel. It’s tempting to say, I’m only staying a year why invest into relationships, or to wait for them to happen naturally, they rarely do unless you put in some effort to make friends.

These connections matter, because they guide you through cultural differences and are there for you when you’re feeling homesick. Also these connections are friendships you won’t regret. They last in time and are often the best friendships even after you’ve left the country!

How to avoid this:

• Join clubs, classes, or sports groups.
• Volunteer or attend community events.
• Use apps like Carom or Timeleft, designed for meeting people in new cities

Underestimate Homesickness

Even the most adventurous expats feel homesick at some point: the loneliness, having the relearn everything in this new environment, expat guilt, FOMO of seeing your friends at home continue life without you… All these emotions can generate homesickness. Pretending it won’t happen is one of the most common expat mistakes to avoid.

How to avoid this:

• Stay connected with people back home, but don’t rely on them exclusively
• Create comforting routines in your new country
• Talk openly about how you’re feeling, other expats will understand
• Accept the feeling, listen to yourself and process your emotions: it is normal to feel mixed emotions. Don’t feel guilty for regretting your old life while feeling extremely grateful for your new life.

Every Expat Makes Mistakes, But You Don’t Have To

Moving abroad is a bold, beautiful decision. Yes, you’ll face challenges. Yes, you’ll make mistakes. But by understanding the most common expat mistakes to avoid, you can navigate your new life with confidence and clarity.

Embrace the adventure. Stay open and curious. Ask questions, and make the best of your new life!
And remember: the best expat life is the one you build with intention.