Things No One Tells You About Moving Abroad

11 Things No One Tells You About Moving Abroad (Until It’s Too Late)

Thinking of moving abroad to teach English? Whether you’re heading to Spain or somewhere else entirely, there are a few things no one really prepares you for — the real, raw, “why didn’t anyone warn me?” stuff.

We’re here to spill the tea.

From culture shock to overpacking regrets, here are the underrated, unfiltered truths about life abroad — and how to make your transition way smoother.

1. You’ll Wish You Packed Lighter (Seriously)

Your future self will thank you for every item you don’t bring. That third pair of boots? Leave them. Your 12-step skincare routine? You can restock abroad.

Most ESL teachers realize after arrival that they brought way too much. You’ll be lugging your stuff through airports, metro stations, and maybe even cobblestone streets. Keep it tight. Keep it light.

💡 Pro Tip: Skip anything easily replaceable. Basics like shampoo or notebooks can be bought locally — focus on essentials you truly can’t do without or know you can’t buy abroad.

Luggage Packed Up for Moving Abroad

2. Culture Shock Hits Harder Than You’d Expect

Culture shock – defined generally as “feelings of uncertainty, confusion, or anxiety that people may experience when moving to a new country or experiencing a new culture” – is very real.

We assume the rest of the world is similar to the place we grew up. That’s why culture shock tends to hit first-time travelers the hardest.

Even if you’ve traveled before, actually living in a new country is completely different. Things that seem small — like dinner at 10pm or shops closing mid-afternoon — can throw you off.

💡 Pro Tip: Culture shock fades over time. Give yourself space to adapt, find your routine, and embrace the quirks.

3. Finding an Expat Crew Will Save Your Sanity

Moving abroad is a lot easier when you’re not doing it alone. Surround yourself with people who get it — online communities are full of fellow expats ready to offer advice, meet up, or just say, “Yep, been there.”

🧠 Where to find your people:

💡 Pro Tip: Whether it’s Reddit threads, Discord chats, or TikTok DMs — just know, your future support system is already online.

4. Duolingo Won’t Prep You for Street Spanish

Apps like Duolingo are great for building a base, but real-world Spanish is a whole different game. The speed, the slang, the accents — none of it sounds quite like your textbook lessons.

Regional dialects and everyday expressions can throw you off if you’ve only learned “classroom Spanish.” The only real way to get comfortable? Dive in and practice with actual people.

Spanish Market in Valencia, Spain

💡 Pro Tip: The best way to learn? Talk to locals. Make mistakes. Laugh it off. Repeat.

Want a cheat sheet? Check out Spanish Slang Words and Phrases You Should Know.

5. It’s the Tiny Differences That Stand Out the Most

Military time. Bidets. No dryers. Different outlets. Even the yogurt tastes different.

Sure, you expect the big things to feel foreign — the language, the architecture, the weather. But in daily life, it’s the little things that really remind you: you’re not in Kansas anymore.

Think adjusting to the metric system, figuring out shoe sizes in EU measurements, driving on the opposite side of the road, or realizing your favorite snack brand doesn’t exist here. It’s all the small things — as Blink-182 sang about (sorry for the millennial reference) — that stick with you.

Clothes Line Drying in Spain - No dryers

💡 Pro Tip: Want to see more everyday quirks? Check out Cultural Similarities Between Spain and the United States.

6. Bureaucracy Abroad = A Core Memory

From visa paperwork to local registrations, you’ll have to navigate systems that aren’t always intuitive — especially in another language. Bureaucratic hoops are part of expat life, so the more prepared you are, the less stressful it’ll be.

💡 Pro Tip: Memorize your passport number, keep your documents organized, and bring physical copies of important paperwork, like:

  • Birth certificate
  • Medical, dental, and immunization records
  • School reports and college transcripts
  • Driver’s license

You might not need all of these, but if you do, you’ll be glad you have them on hand instead of dealing with the nightmare of having them shipped internationally.

7. Visa Paperwork Is…the Worst

Let’s be real — visa paperwork can test anyone’s patience. It’s often complicated, in another language, and full of unclear requirements.

That’s why it pays to go with a program like RVF International that literally does this every day. We have local connections and expertise to help you avoid delays, confusion, and last-minute panic.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re teaching in Spain, start your visa process early. Missing even one document can set you back weeks.

Passport & Visa

8. The Best Memories Happen Off the Beaten Path

Forget the crowded tour buses and overpriced attractions. Some of your favorite moments abroad will come from wandering without a plan.

Tour guides usually stick to the “must-see” spots — which can be fun, but they’re only a small slice of the real culture. The authentic magic often happens in unexpected places:

  • That tiny tapas bar you stumble into
  • A spontaneous festival in a small town
  • A conversation with your neighbor
Shops in Spain

💡 Pro Tip: Explore beyond the tourist circuit (while staying safe). You might just find your favorite place in Spain is one you never read about online. Need inspiration? Check out our guide to the Best National Parks in Spain.

9. Moving Money Internationally Can Be a Hassle

Transferring money across borders is way easier than it used to be — but it’s still not always smooth sailing. Different countries have different banking rules, and if you’re caught unprepared, you could be stuck waiting days (or weeks) to access your cash.

Picture this: you lose your wallet abroad. Your friends or family back at home can send you money, but you have no account or service set up to receive it. Stressful, right?

💡 Pro Tip: Set up a contingency plan before you go. Have at least one international money transfer option ready so you can get funds fast in an emergency.

Some popular, reliable services include:

  • Wise (formerly TransferWise) — our go-to for quick, affordable transfers
  • N26 — great for digital nomads in Europe
  • Revolut — flexible and travel-friendly
  • PayPal Xoom — easy if you already use PayPal
  • Western Union — widely available, even in small towns

You might never need them, but having an account ready can turn a financial nightmare into a minor inconvenience.

10. Finding English-Speaking Doctors Can Be Tough

No one wants to think about getting sick abroad — but if it happens, being able to communicate with your doctor is crucial.

In big cities, you’ll probably find English-speaking doctors. In smaller towns, it’s less common. That’s why it’s smart to have a plan before you need care.

Doctor and Patient Interaction

💡 Pro Tip: Ask your local expat group for referrals, or use Doctoralia Spain to find English-speaking healthcare providers in your area.

11. The Expat Life Might Just Change You Forever

That “one year abroad” plan? It might turn into five. Or ten. Living abroad changes you — in ways that are hard to explain until you’ve done it.

You’ll likely become more independent, more flexible, and more open-minded. You’ll collect stories instead of things. And “home” might never feel quite the same again.

“Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks — on your body or on your heart — are beautiful.”

Anthony Bourdain

💡 Pro Tip: The expat life isn’t for everyone, but if you thrive on novelty and hate routine, it can be a lifelong adventure.

Ready to Make the Leap?

Turn your dream of living in Spain into a plan. RVF International provides the tools, network, and know-how to help you make it happen.

With RVF, you can:

  • 📚 Learn what to expect in the classroom and beyond
  • 🤝 Meet other teachers and future friends
  • 🌍 Navigate your move abroad with confidence

👉 Start your application today