It’s arguably easier for seasoned travellers to take on an opportunity abroad, whether it’s for work or study reasons. However, as frequent travellers and part-time expats, we often times forget how scary taking that first step was. It’s understandable that first timers might have reservations and worries about taking that leap of faith into unknown lands. Most people figure that, once they get to a new country and settle in, everything will be fine…which it will, but for some of us, we need a little extra encouragement to nullify the risk.

If you’re tempted to make a move, but worried about how turning your life upside-down will work out, here are some extra reasons why you need to make a move and try out life in a foreign land:

1. Feeling Stagnant

When asked about their time abroad, one of the most common conclusions drawn by travellers and expats alike is that a change of scenery helped them to grow as a person and enriched them in unimaginable ways. Simply exposing yourself to the new and exciting opportunities and experiences abroad is enough to alter one’s life. We often know there’s life beyond the confines of familiar streets and buildings, but making the actual step to witness the surrounding world and exposure ourselves to new scenery, seems much harder than staying in one place. However, if you don’t make the effort to step outside of your bubble, you can be sure nothing will ever step in – leaving you deprived of many opportunities of cultural and worldly sustenance essential for personal growth.

2. Serendipitous Timing

Sometimes making an international move is the outcome of a previous bad situation, whether it’s a lack of opportunities in your current location, losing your job or a change in your personal circumstances which requires you to move to find work or get away from home. As the saying goes, “there’s no time like the present” – and it’s true. Take advantage of the curveballs life throws at you and use it as a chance to start afresh. Life’s too short to try and coax a bad situation into working for you – and moving somewhere new, either temporarily or permanently, wipes the slate clean, giving you back control over your life. While some may claim this is “running away” you may argue back that its actually “chasing life”–something that we all could do a bit more of these days.

Conversely, you may be looking to try life abroad sheerly because you want a change; even the fact that you’re reading this article means the seed has already been planted. Live in the moment and take a leap of faith into a new adventure – working and studying abroad offers to perfect solution to support yourself and build a new life.

3. Location Burnout

Studying and working abroad offers variety – the spice of life. It’s not unusual to feel stuck in a rut at home – many towns and cities in westernised and developed countries have shrunken into sameness, offering up identical shops, entertainment options and lifestyles. Use moving abroad as a chance to experience new cultures – there’s a whole world out there that’s more diverse than anyone can imagine, and it’s waiting to be explored. If you’ve always been curious about life on the other side of the fence, living abroad offers a chance to fully immerse yourself in a different world, whereas travelling as a tourist only gives you a snapshot of what’s out there.

4. Dead-end Careers

Moving abroad for work is one the smartest things anyone can do if they want to work their way up the career ladder. With much of the developed world in financial decline, or having reached a never ending plateau, career boys and girls should set their sights on developing economies. Africa, Asia, South America, the Middle East and Australia all have pockets of economic boom and the only way is up as far as career prospects are concerned. If your career has failed to take flight, maybe it’s time you do.

5. Why Travel? Why Not?!

If you’re still not convinced about taking the leap to move abroad, just remember: what’s the worst that can happen? In the unlikely event that you do find yourself struggling to settle in – or you don’t enjoy the experience of living abroad as much as you’d wanted to – you can always just move back home! As long as you keep some plan B cash spare for a flight home, then you’ve got a viable safety net. The point is to make up your mind after you’ve experienced living abroad – you can’t judge how well something will work unless you try it.

There are, of course, other factors which could be holding you back. Everyone’s circumstances are different – and for some, there may be commitments at home they can’t leave behind. Leaving family and friends behind can be a major barrier, as well as the enormity of the actual moving task at hand. Prior to going, or during the move, check out  resources to help you with everything from packing, to dealing with the emotional aspects of relocating.

If you’re itching to try something new, but can’t make a permanent move due to home commitments, studying abroad or career breaks offer up the perfect solution – getting the wheels of your once in a lifetime experience in motion.