20 reasons to live abroad in your 20s

There are plenty of benefits and good places to live abroad, whether permanently, for a few years for work, or just a couple of months for a new experience and to say you've done it! But for some, it can be hard to know when is the best time to move abroad.

We firmly believe the best time to live abroad is in your 20s, and here's why:

1) You have minimum responsibility and maximum freedom.

In your 20s, you're less likely to have responsibilities like a spouse, kids, or a mortgage keeping you in one place. Take advantage of these elements of your life and spread your wings abroad. You'll be glad you took the time to do something new and experience different cultures.

2) It’s easier to meet people when you’re young.

Young adults have more free time and are more open to letting new people into their lives. Being young and abroad is a unique opportunity and inserts you into a fun, adventurous circle of other 20-somethings. You'll love meeting new friends in bars, cafes, or clubs when you move abroad.

3) You have an open mind.

People in their 20s, especially their early 20s, are still developing their idea of the world, which makes them more open to foreign cultures and practices. As a 20-something, you’ll be able to more easily adapt to a foreign culture, as you're still figuring out the type of adult you want to be.

4) It’s cheaper.

Being single and childless makes budgeting for life abroad much easier. Moreover, as a young person, it’s likely that you’re a little less picky about food and housing so you don’t mind taking the cheapest option.

5) You have a flexible schedule.

Let’s go to the beach this weekend! Sure! How about flying to Brazil for New Years? OK. As a 20-something without grown-up responsibilities you can say “yes” to last-minute trips, changes and adventures, making it an ideal time to live abroad.

6) You’re at your physical peak.

Exploring a foreign country is best when you are at your physical peak. You can see more and do more as you’re likely stronger, faster and fitter than you will be later on. You have places to go and mountains to climb, so do it before your knees start cracking every time you stand up!

7) You’ll get to know yourself, truly.

Being out of your comfort zone away from your family and friends means that you have the freedom to “discover yourself”. You’ll figure out what makes you truly happy. Doing this in your 20s means that you’ll save yourself years of doing things that you don’t want to do with people who don’t make you happy!

8) You’ll become fearless.

Once you’ve taken the initial plunge and moved your life abroad, adopted a new culture and probably a new language, you’ll realize that nothing seems that scary anymore. If you can do this, you can do anything. This can-do attitude will change your life and will help you to face challenges as you get older.

9) You’ll learn to live minimally (and happily!)

Tiny baggage allowances mean that you won’t be taking everything that you own to your new destination. Within a few weeks you’ll be glad to have only your essentials and enough space for your new foreign findings. You’ll realize that you don’t need much to lead a happy and exciting life – a lesson that will serve you well forever.

10) You get to experience dating in a foreign culture.

Since you’re young and probably single, you’ll get to the opportunity to date people from a foreign culture, which is a terrifying, exciting and rewarding experience. It’s the best way to learn about another country’s customs while also recognizing your own cultural expectations. It may not work out – but you’ll learn a whole lot.

11) You’ll likely travel more when you’re older if you do it young.

People who get out of their home country as young people will be more likely to travel when they grow older. If you don’t go ahead and live abroad now as a 20-something, you likely never will thanks to your growing responsibilities.

12) You’ll become more independent and self-sufficient.

Learning how to fend for yourself in a foreign country will make you a more independent and autonomous person for the rest of your life. Everything is harder abroad, making the learning experience all the richer.

13) You don’t have to miss out on anything at home.

Communication has improved since the days of postcards. Missing home is normal, especially if you’re away for months or years at a time. Nowadays, with the help of Skype, FaceTime and other similar apps, you can be rid of your homesickness in seconds. Your loved ones are just a Wi-Fi connection away, so you'll never feel like you've gone far!

14) You’ll get the chance to understand another way of life.

Before settling down in your home country, living in a foreign country is great exposure to a completely different way of life. Every culture has something to offer. Living abroad makes you realize which elements and values of your culture you really care about and which are more inconsequential.

15) You’ll understand an outsider’s view of your country.

Understanding how foreigners view your home country is an essential element to having a global outlook. Considering the opinions of foreigners about where you come from will give you a more independent, objective and nuanced view of where you come from.

16) You’ll be more accepting to visitors to your home country.

An important lesson of living abroad is learning how to rely on the kindness of strangers. Once you experience the compassion of people in a foreign country it will make you a more patient and generous person when interacting with people new to your home country.

17) You’ll make lifelong international friends you wouldn’t have otherwise.

When you finally do make it back home, you’ll have the support of the open-minded, adventurous friends you met abroad. These people were your family abroad and their friendships will stay with you in a different way than friendships established at home. They’re also great excuses for holidays all over the world for the rest of your life!

18) You’ll make all your friends jealous on social media.

Because they all wish they had the guts to do what you are doing. You'll have so many beautiful photos from your new home country and travels that your friends will be eager to see what you're doing next. They'll be jealous but they'll be happy for you too! You might even inspire them to move abroad too.

19) Foreign work experience is something you can talk about in job interviews for the rest of your life.

Referring to your international work experience will catch any potential employer’s attention because it’s still not common. The fact that you dared to live and work in a foreign country demonstrates courage, an open mind and problem-solving skills. Try doing an internship while abroad to give yourself the flexibility to work abroad while doing all the touristy things you want to do.

20) You’ll regret it if you don’t.

A Business Insider article shows that one of the most common major regrets in people’s lives is not having traveled abroad sooner, or not having done it at all. If you have the chance live in a foreign country, why wouldn’t you take advantage of that opportunity while you can?

Convinced? It’s time to take advantage of the freedom of your 20s and do an internship abroad!