5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving Abroad

1. ATTAINING A VISA IS QUITE THE PROCESS.

Trying to make sense of what kind of visa to get, what to include in your application, and when you need it is really a headache. Things can get complicated if you are traveling out of the country while applying for your visa, but pro tip-y ou can get a second passport! It'll only last for two years, but it'll save your life in case you're a frequent traveler and need to be in a pinch while applying for a visa. Having lived in Spain for a long time. 

2. FOMO IS A THING, BUT NOT AS BAD AS YOU 'D THINK.

Sure, you'll get a little sad when you see all your friends posting about some super fun-looking event back at school. However, y ou'll be able to get your own wild, amazing, and memorable experiences, so you will not be too bummed when you can not make it to a fun outing back home.


 3. YOU'RE GOING TO MISS FOOD FROM HOME  LIKE HELL.

This one's a two-sided sword: during my 6 months in Seville and now here in Bratislava, all I can  think about is a big steamy bowl of mac and cheese.. HOWEVER, now that I'm away from Spain, I'd give you an arm and a leg for my favorite Spanish snack (they're called  pajitas  and they're wonderful!).

Moving abroad = missing mac and cheese.
Precious cargo from my quick weekend trip home.

4.  VACUUM BAGS ARE YOUR FRIEND.

Squeezing 6 months of my life into two suitcases was not an easy feat. I have a chronically overflowing closet, which made it hard for me to narrow down my selection. This  set of vacuum bags saved my life and allowed me to squeeze a lot more into my suitcases' limited real estate. Lesson learned: it's going to be something stressful, difficult, and eye-opening when it comes time to move.

6. LITTLE THINGS ARE GOING TO BE DIFFERENT WHEN MOVING ABROAD ...

... and it's okay! It may take a while, but you'll get used to all the weird little nuances about living abroad that are at first stressful but in the end just add to the charm. Prepare yourself for a change in your way of life and go in with an open mind, and you'll come out with a completely new perspective of the world. 

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