Whether you’re relocating to further your career, to be with a partner or to take up retirement, moving abroad is an experience that’s equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking. Most of all, though, it’s a unique experience – and what better way to commemorate that experience by putting it all down in writing?
There are all sorts of reasons to start an expat blog. Here are our top five.
Recording your experience
Through all the ups and downs of settling into a new way of life, having an outlet is priceless. Blogging about your expat experience is one of the best ways to get perspective on things as they happen. Plus, being in a brand new environment means that great blogging material is everywhere, whether in the form of learning a new language, or even something as mundane as a trip to your local grocery store.
Updating loved ones
When planning to move to a new country, you’re sure to be inundated with requests to keep everyone back home up to date on your adventures, but in most cases, that’s easier said than done. In the midst of setting up a new life, you’re unlikely to have time to email every friend and family member back home individually. Setting up a blog solves this problem, as anyone who’s interested can simply subscribe to read all your latest news.
Helping fellow expats
Adjusting to a new way of life is no easy feat, and experienced expats are a prime source of information for new arrivals. Once you've settled into your new home, any information you post related to life as an expat is sure to be useful to nervous soon-to-be expats. This can be just about anything, whether it's something practical like how to access healthcare in the country, or something more abstract like how to cope with culture shock.
Learning new skills
With an endless range of tutorials available online, the process of starting a blog is easier than ever and offers a chance to explore and develop skills like writing and photography. You could even try your hand at making video blogs. Best of all, no fancy equipment is needed to do any of this as most of today's cellphones come equipped with cameras.
Making new friends
For most newly arrived expats, moving to a new country is accompanied by feelings of loneliness and isolation. While this is a completely normal part of the process and nothing to worry about, meeting other expats and locals can take the edge off. Visitors to your blog are likely to be locally involved, whether they’re helpful locals or fellow foreigners, and may be able to help you settle in and feel less alone.
