Why Are So Many People Moving Abroad These Days?

More and more individuals are considering relocating abroad, and the reasons vary from looking for a more advantageous career to simply seeking to develop a clearer sense of self.

This phenomenon is greater than it seems, and insightful documentation is required to understand the reasons behind expats' choice to venture abroad. For example, about 4.5 million Brits considered work opportunities in foreign lands, based on a Totaljobs in-depth analysis. Indeed, a career boost is a leading reason for people to leave their homeland and move abroad. But many more factors contribute to this decision, from the cost-of-living crises and the need to study at a particular school or university to the desire to go on an adventure and gain a clearer sense of self. Some individuals also become expats to live in their partners' homeland. Whatever the reason, one thing is for sure: moving abroad has gained a lot of ground, with people from all generations craving new places. Thousands of millennials from England, for example, have considered a new life abroad as the cost of living continues to soar, according to Glamour Magazine.

Let's delve into this emerging phenomenon and discover what motivations drive individuals worldwide to take fate into their own hands and start a new life in a foreign country.

Develop a clearer sense of self

One of the driving factors pushing people to step out of their comfort zone is the desire to rediscover themselves. And that's just logical since international experiences can promote not only career success but also creativity and the elimination of intergroup bias. It's a well-known fact that the culture we live in contributes to who we are, but some individuals may not be satisfied with that and need to redefine themselves somehow. Self-concept clarity is paramount as it comes with a range of psychological benefits, including a boost of confidence, enhanced well-being, and the ability to cope with stressful situations. So, if people don't receive that in their homeland, they're likely to look for it elsewhere, in another country or maybe overseas.

Professional development

Besides having more opportunities to travel, individuals choosing to move abroad have more career opportunities. This is, in fact, the most important reason individuals move to a foreign land. Job dissatisfaction is a real problem nowadays, regardless of the diversity of career options and competitive salaries. Many people get stuck in their jobs and hence cease to grow. And while this might not seem so serious at first glance, it's likely to worsen in the long run. If someone is constantly stressed because of their job or because of the impossibility of advancing, they tend to develop self-esteem and self-confidence issues and lose their motivation. Therefore, more and more people have taken the moving route, looking for doors of opportunities elsewhere.

Getting to work in a foreign country may be that needed boost of confidence and a chance to rediscover your potential. Besides, you can develop new skills, including communication and foreign language skills, come into contact with a distinct culture, and thus expand your horizons. The training and experience you're about to gain in this new land will show other ways of doing things and make you a more promising candidate for recruiters and employers in case you ever want to change careers. If you're unsure about a permanent move, consider testing the ground first. A volunteering programme or internship in the desired country will help you gain a clearer picture of what it is like to work in that land and whether you can handle it or not.

Personal growth

Finding a new 'heimat' also contributes to your personal growth. This experience will expose you to all kinds of things and show ways to handle them that you haven't even imagined. You gain thus more self-confidence and control over your life choices, which will further empower you. The decision to relocate abroad demonstrates responsibility, maturity, motivation, and independence, things that might not be attainable in your home country. Sometimes, people need a fresh start to understand their true potential, which is nothing wrong. After all, no one is meant to live in a place they don't belong to.

According to InterNations, most expats surveyed by Expat Insider consider themselves happy. Although relocating to another country comes with its own challenges and risks, many individuals find greener pastures when pursuing their dream of living far from their homeland. Moreover, those who take this route will likely discover their true genius, which can mean everything from acquiring problem-solving skills to making more complex connections between disparate ideas. Last but not least, people moving abroad are challenged to engage in creative processes, thus boosting their imagination.

Becoming self-reliant and resourceful

We won't lie to you: moving abroad is likely to bring a lot on your plate. From managing budgets and facing new challenges to bureaucracy and dealing with taxes, there are lots of factors that could stress you out. Even the moving process itself is daunting if we're to allude to the many things that need to be checked off your list. How much do movers cost? What to pack and what to leave behind? What transportation is more suitable for you? There are undoubtedly a lot of questions associated with moving to a foreign country, and unfortunately or not, you're the only one who can answer them. But don't get discouraged: it's normal not to have all the answers at first. What's important here is to stay resilient. And your resourcefulness may surprise you! Doing things yourself, from shopping for movers to packing and adventuring into that new place, will make you realise how strong you are.

It might be hard to believe, but many people choose to move abroad to become the best versions of themselves. This includes everything from changing their jobs to doing things themselves and becoming more self-reliant.

People move for love too

You might have heard that love makes people do crazy things. Well, it's not really like that. But people tend to move to another country to be next to their loved ones, and they do this quite often. According to Statista, 10% of expats move abroad to live in their partners' homeland.