In this article, I would like to talk a little about some of the things I have learned while living abroad. I have been living abroad since I was 18 years old, and as of now have lived in Japan, Korea, and China. These are some of the things I have learned.
Know Your Visa
One of the most important things to understand before moving abroad is what visa you will be on. Learn the rules and restrictions of that visa, and confirm that your employer or school can actually sponsor it before you enter the country.
In the past, some companies told new hires to enter on a tourist visa first and “change it later.” In reality, this is risky and can easily lead to working illegally.
For foreigners, a visa is basically your lifeline. Anything that affects your visa affects your right to stay in the country. That’s why you must understand what kind of work you’re allowed to do, follow local laws, and pay your taxes on time. Also, keep track of the expiration date on your visa or residence card. Do everything you can to renew it on time, as even one late renewal can affect your future options.
Have a Plan Before Moving
Even though it’s hard to know everything about a place before you move, it helps to have a general idea of your future daily life. Look at local apartment listings to understand average rent. Research phone carriers, banks, supermarkets, and transportation. If you create a simple plan—what kind of apartment you want, what bank you’ll use, or which phone plan fits you—you’ll adapt much more easily after arrival.
Research Your Job or School
Your job or school will take up a major part of your life, so make sure you understand the environment before committing. If you’re accepting a job, look into the company’s reputation and try to find experiences shared by former employees.
I lived in Korea for six and a half years. There, general work visas fall under the “E-series.” These visas are for specialized jobs that Korean workers cannot easily fill, such as native-language teaching. The major downside is that you cannot quit freely. If you resign or are fired, you need a letter of release from your employer to transfer your visa to another company. If the sponsoring employer informs immigration that you no longer work there, you have about two weeks to either leave the country or submit a letter of release.
You can only change employers or switch to a job-seeking visa if your contract naturally ends or your company willingly gives you that letter. This creates a huge power imbalance: a bad employer can overwork you and threaten your visa whenever you disagree. Because it’s difficult to move to a more stable visa, you may face that risk for years.
Researching your workplace before moving can help you avoid harassment or abuse. Foreigners are naturally at a disadvantage abroad, so choosing a trustworthy employer greatly improves your quality of life.
Don’t Sign Contracts You Don’t Understand
In some countries, your visa is directly linked to your job. If you misunderstand your contract, move abroad, and then discover problems, you may be trapped in a job you didn’t expect—simply because you need the visa to stay.
Even if your visa isn’t tied to your employer, a bad contract can still affect your quality of life. You might quit a toxic job and then find yourself in a new country with no connections, no language skills, and no income. That’s why it’s essential to fully understand what you’re agreeing to before making such a major commitment.
Learn the Local Language and Culture: Become Independent
Learning the local language is important not just for you, but also for the people around you. Here are a few reasons why:
1) To Gain Independence
Communication is essential for daily tasks—going to the bank, visiting the doctor, renting an apartment, or managing your phone plan. In large cities you might find services in your language, but the options are usually limited.
Some people rely on coworkers or company staff for help, but this can be risky. If you work for an abusive company, giving them access to things like your bank account or apartment contract puts you in a vulnerable position. Even with good employers, depending on others for everything prevents you from becoming independent. Learning the language helps you avoid these dangers.
2) Avoid the Expat Bubble
Living abroad can be lonely, so many foreigners stick to expat communities. There’s nothing wrong with having friends from your home country, but staying only within that bubble limits real cultural and linguistic growth.
In Korea, I met Westerners who had lived there for 15–20 years without speaking Korean at all. They knew little about the culture, food, or society. This is common in countries like Korea, Japan, and China.
Western companies often don’t value foreign degrees or foreign work experience, but they do value cultural understanding and language skills. You limit your opportunities if you isolate yourself in an expat bubble.
3) Find a Community and Show Respect
Using Japan as an example: Japanese society is very organized, and while some individuals may dislike foreigners, the issue is often not race—it’s lifestyle differences. Many Japanese expect foreigners to integrate into local society.
Learning the language opens social and professional doors. It helps you form friendships, understand your community, and connect more deeply with coworkers. It reduces loneliness, broadens your perspective, and shows respect for the people around you. Even basic effort leaves a positive impression.
Pay Your Taxes
Paying taxes is a moral responsibility, but it’s also a practical necessity. In many countries, unpaid taxes prevent visa renewal. If you don’t pay taxes, you may lose the right to stay long-term.
Behave
As a foreigner, your actions influence how locals view all foreigners. Misbehavior by tourists or foreign residents can lead to stricter rules for everyone.
In Japan, for example, recent issues—foreign tourists and some workers ignoring local rules, posting disruptive behavior online, and failing to pay taxes—have caused the government to review its immigration system. Visa rules and fees are becoming stricter as a result.
For your own sake, behaving respectfully matters too. In many countries, reputation is extremely important. If you don’t respect local culture and rules, it may become harder to find a job, keep a job, or rent housing.
Make Connections
Relationships matter everywhere. When you learn the language and integrate into your new society, you naturally meet more people. These connections can help you with future favors, job opportunities, documents you may need after moving, or difficult paperwork.
In countries like China, personal relationships are a major part of working culture. Building connections isn’t about using people—it’s about mutual support. These relationships can greatly benefit your long-term life abroad.
Find Good Housing
People often say that half your life abroad is determined by your housing. It’s true: you spend a huge portion of your time at home, so having a comfortable place to live is essential for your mental health. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should feel safe and relaxing. A bad apartment can negatively affect your entire experience in a country.
Maintain a Healthy Life Balance
Keeping balance is important for your mental well-being. Ask yourself: Do I work to live, or live to work? If your entire identity depends on your job, you will struggle if something goes wrong.
Work is important, but hobbies, friendships, and life outside work matter just as much. Building a well-rounded life helps you enjoy your time in a new country—not just endure it.
Think About How Long You Want to Stay
From the beginning, think about how long you want to live in the country. Immigration systems often include multi-year paths to permanent residency or long-term visas. Understanding these paths early allows you to choose jobs, schools, and plans that support your long-term goals.
It’s much easier to plan from the start than to fix problems years later. If you know you want to stay long-term, prepare early.