How to move abroad

[CtrlU]

Long time lurker and answered but haven’t posted yet so please forgive me if this is in the wrong section

Ive always dreamt of living abroad for a year or two since I was a child and slowly as I’ve gotten older; the prospect fades but my passion for this experience lingers. I’ve recently hit a milestone birthday and Ive reminded myself that life is too short and I want to live it the best way I can.

I would like to live abroad for a few years. Ideally between 2-5 years (or maybe even longer if it works out) and whilst I’m sure it will take a lot of getting used to and most likely a lot of hard work; I still want to try. My problem is I have absolutely no idea where to start. What is the procedure to get started? I think I honestly haven’t done it yet because I don’t know HOW to do it and feel it may be out of reach but I would like to try.

I was born in the UK with most of my family being UK residents. I have some family members who live abroad but I would ideally like to go to a totally new place I haven’t been before. I have a trade job (think hair and beauty) but I’m unsure if it’s enough to get me by in another country. I am also open to working in an unrelated job if I could get one that would cover living expenses - but again; I have no idea where to start.

I’m 20 something with 1 child (who would be coming with me)

Thanks

@Dancingonmoonlight

Instead of posting here and hearing from people that your dream is a fantasy etc, it’s probably better to post on an expat forum and learn from people who have done it.

I wouldn’t worry about returning. You may find you never even want to once you have experienced a new country.

I've done it and at this point it IS a fantasy. There is no knowledge, no proper research - a fantasy. Which can become reality but not like that.

When people like this come on out expat pages, they are told the same "you need to do the research" and people are careful about offering help because it snowballs sometimes.

No one here has been mean. There is great advice. But the reality is that for lifelong dream, there is so far a great lack of effort

My mum did this with my youngest brother, moved to Dubai for 2 years, BUT she had a teaching qualification and accommodation and a school place provided with her job. She wouldn’t have done it otherwise as would have been unfeasible. For me the health insurance would be the biggest concern anywhere. There may be places in Europe where it’s free at the point of service but that would pretty much dictate where you could go, surely. And even then it might be better to do an extended trip, eg 3 months max, to see if it suits you (and that’s if your child isn’t exam age). I say this because my sister relocated to Thailand with her (teaching) job and even with a good expat package she hated it and came home in 6 months! (She has dc and they have been quite affected by all the upheaval).

Yes, good point. People need to realise that the NHS is pretty much exclusive to England. You have to pay for it in Canada too, OP.

Those teaching posts for international schools are largely for experienced teachers. 3- 4 years won't do it.
Is the OP coming back?

[quote flyingant]@MauveMagnolia the OP hasn't said whether she has a degree or not. Even if not, then training to teach only takes 3 or 4 years. She's only in her twenties and hasn't given a timeframe. It might not be ideal if she wants to move abroad right now, but teaching is still a very viable option.[/quote]
2 years for Level 3 or Access
4 years degree
At last one year ECT and probably a minimum of 3 years experience for am overseas post

@KaptainKaveman

Yes, good point. People need to realise that the NHS is pretty much exclusive to England. You have to pay for it in Canada too, OP.

Exclusive to Britain, not England.

Exclusive to Britain, not England

Ahem, UK, not Britain. (It may be called HSC in NI, but its part of the NHS)

Wow thank you so much for the replies. I’m only just catching up now

To answer a few questions;

• I’m open to the working holiday visa idea as I’m unsure if I want a permanent move. I just know I want myself and my son to experience living in another country and I want to travel with him.
• My son’s father isn’t in the picture but I think if I explained that I want to take my son on this experience then I think his father would be on board as he isnt around to help and knows I would manage.
• I have considered retraining. I have done some work part time in a school for the past year and I would hope maybe that could be a fall back career (or even main career) on my travels.
• I have considered the lack of family help and friends but in all honesty; me and my son are pretty much we’ll we have anyway. Family are nearby but aren’t so hands on that I would miss the support if I were to go abroad.

Canada is seeming like the best option. Even if just to start with; so I have begun researching the best way I could get a visa for myself and my son.

Thank you all again

I am looking for places that are similar to the UK as I think it would be easier to adapt to and also it would be a good starting point.

I imagine us visiting and possibly residing in more than one country but I would like to test the waters first. Canada I have heard is lovely and I have been told is very similar to the UK so it would be like home away from home. I have also dreamt of living in Polynesia and Bali and Indonesia and New Zealand and possibly even somewhere in South America. Of course these places may be impossible to reside to based on my current situation - but again I feel anything can happen and once I make the first step then finding our way may be about easier to see where we want to explore next.

I also forgot to mention that I have a teaching qualification - to teach hair. I havent worked as a teacher/lecturer yet although I am slowly gaining education experience in a school.