There are more good reasons to choose in favor of the expatriate life besides maybe good weather, lower cost of living, better salary opportunities and potential tax benefits. Even if you are principally joining your husband on his international assignment or following your boyfriend to some place, there are more advantages for you to move abroad than the simple reason to be on his side. I give you 7 expatriate benefits that show what else is in it for you.

Benefit #1 – A New Life with Unlimited Options

Moving abroad means making a new start with endless possibilities. It is up to you to think of what you really want to do with your new life. Speed up your career by gathering international experience, take a break from work and learn a new skill or craft, start up a business or do some voluntary work, immerse yourself in learning the local language or find a new passion.

If you want to, this is your chance to do something completely new or to do what you have always wanted to do. Contemplate your thoughts and desires and find out the possibilities in your host country. Getting out of your daily routine and trying something completely different can really revive someone’s spirits.

Benefit #2 – Getting to Know New People

Outside your social comfort zone, new friends expand your world. Through exposure to new people and new ideas our worlds continue to grow. Living abroad does this in a very radical way. You have left your safe place and are forced to create a completely new social network.

In the beginning you may feel awkward and uncomfortable with the new situation. Remind yourself that it takes time to find the right people to build up new friendships. Dare to go outside into the unfamiliar territory and try to enjoy the search for new social contacts.

Get to know your neighbors, introduce yourself to colleagues and other expats, and get involved in a local group. Slowly but surely you will find new friends and they can be an invaluable source of excitement, support and inspiration.

Benefit #3 – Language Learning by Immersion

Another expatriate benefit is that you are in the privileged situation to be surrounded by the local language. Whereas at home people often struggle with learning a new language, you have the advantage to get really immersed by it. Even if you don´t have a flair for languages, you will see that learning a language by immersion is a lot easier.

Learning foreign languages doesn’t come easy to all expats. But you are in the ideal situation, so at least give it a try, right? Study every day, review regularly, search actively contact with locals, and don´t worry about making mistakes. My personal quote to motivate people to persevere with language learning:

Learning a foreign language is not always fun, being able to speak it is!

Benefit #4 – The Opportunity to Travel

In a different location on the global map, you are close to lots of new exotic and interesting travel destinations. As a tourist you would normally pay an expensive flight to only be at the place where you are living. Appreciate this opportunity of living at an appealing travel destination by exploring it profoundly.

Go into town and visit all the worthy places, and go on the road to explore your surroundings. Don´t forget to ask the locals for tips since there will always be hidden gems not described in the majority of travel books. You can immerse yourself in a new culture with its unique history, customs and traditions. How exciting is that?

Benefit #5 – Cultural Enrichment

The next expatriate benefit is cultural enrichment. I like to see living abroad like a profound way of travelling. As a tourist or traveller (whatever you like to call yourself) one can only get a superficial impression of a country’s culture. Considering holiday time constraints, there is simply not enough time to really dig into it. As an expat, you do have that time to really get to know an unfamiliar culture.

Living abroad allows you to gain an authentic glimpse into the history, politics, religion, gastronomy, architecture, art, literature, music and dance, arts and crafts and way of life of your host country. And when you stay curious and develop an appreciation for the culture, it will never get boring; you can live in a new environment and discover new things every day. Start with your personal interests and enrich your life by exploring unique customs and a wide variety of cultural aspects.

Benefit #6 – Personal Growth

To grow you need to challenge yourself and I think expatriation is one of biggest challenges you can give yourself. With your own norms, values, thoughts and memories, you are placed in a different cultural environment. It is inevitable that you start thinking about yourself in a different context.

While trying to adapt to the new culture, you revise your points of view that have always been common ground in your home country. Getting uncomfortable by leaving your comfort zone and building up a new life somewhere else, triggers a great sense of personal growth. And as your new comfort zone increases, life becomes richer.

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

Benefit #7 – Closer Relationship, Marriage or Family Life

Last but not least, relocating abroad together with your partner, husband and/or children can have significant benefits for your relationship, marriage or family life. Without the safety net of other family members and friends close by, you heavily depend on each other. In numerous situations your partner or family is basically the only one to turn to.

I think it is very important to support one another whenever necessary. This involves talking frequently about each other´s experiences, spending quality time together and planning fun days so that everyone has something to look forward to.

Don´t see your limited social life as a big obstacle. There is the great opportunity to invest time in your relationship, marriage or family life. You are doing this together and as long as open communication remains, the expat experience can have tremendous positive effects on your relationship(s).

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Can you think of other benefits that relocating abroad offers?