A+ Expat Corner: How to Survive Your First Year Abroad During Pandemic
There are many reasons why people move abroad. These include love for another country they visited once or twice, changing jobs to save money on education, health insurance or citizenship, escaping war or prosecution, looking for better climatic conditions, home sickness, and wanting a better quality of life.
The first year abroad will bring new sights, sounds, and experiences. Mixed within these amazing adventures will be periods of homesickness, loneliness, and frustration. It’s during this time that some may take their health for granted and neglect a routine that keeps them physically and mentally fit.
Can I move abroad during the pandemic?
According to Johns Hopkins University, the COVID-19 has infected more than 210 million people and killed around four million people around the world as of date. So what if you are just about to start a new job abroad, and cannot postpone it? Will you go?
If you’re planning a new expat adventure, you probably already knew to check for potential pandemic risks before moving. The most important question to ask yourself is: “Will I be able to survive well enough in my new country to see COVID-19 to its conclusion?”
Specifically, make sure the country you’re planning on moving to has not experienced a large amount of infection rate compared to the other nations.
There are also many things you must consider, including what type of visa will work best for your situation. Another thing is to have the proper documentation proving that you have essential business to take care of if you’re travelling outside your home.
Surviving your first year abroad during a pandemic
Adjusting to your new environment can be difficult, especially if you have gone through the trials of prolonged sleeping patterns, disruptions, and irregular meals. Many countries are now creating safety policies for expats living abroad during these times.
Here are a few tips and insights to help you survive your first year abroad during a pandemic:
- Focus on your daily survival – Preparedness is the key to surviving a pandemic. The biggest danger during a pandemic is the lack of necessities. Food, water, medicine, and fuel are just a few of the items that may be nearly impossible to get your hands on during a massive emergency crisis.
- Manage your expectations – Bear in mind that your first year abroad will probably be the most challenging. There is an intense, inevitable culture shock that accompanies the experience as you learn to live in a foreign environment.
- Connect with your loved ones – Being new to a country where you don’t speak the language and have few friends can be lonely and depressing. While not being able to share your problems with others may cause you to feel isolated, it’s easy to fall into a deep depression when you isolate yourself. Make sure that you create regular social contact with other people, even if it’s online using sites like Skype or Viber.
- Prioritize your health – Physical health is a major factor in dealing with ‘survival stress’. ‘Survival stress’ is the term used to describe how we deal with an unfamiliar environment and how to adapt to it: such as working with people you don’t know, eating food when you are not hungry, and speaking a language that isn’t yours – things that initially seem strange, but become so familiar to you that they are second nature.
- Know their healthcare system – One of the biggest challenges that you are likely to face as an expat is the health system in your new country. Most expats are not fully aware of how different it may be from their own. Make sure that you understand what the healthcare system will provide and cover before you go.
- Know the rules of your healthcare plan – It is therefore necessary to know how the healthcare plan in your destination country works. Will it cover your medical expenses if you need COVID-19 coverage? Once you have determined that your health insurance does indeed provide protection in case of a pandemic and medical emergencies, it is important to precisely understand its features.
Worldwide protection for you and your family
Expat life is usually filled with excitement and adventure. However, it’s important that you take time to consider what you might do in an emergency that could pop up at any time.
Now more than ever, a healthcare plan is a great armor to protect you and your family from unexpected situations. As the COVID-19 pandemic still sweeps across the globe, getting worldwide coverage is even a greater investment to secure your savings and have peace of mind wherever you go.
A+ International Health Plans cover COVID-19 treatment so long as you are in good health and with no pre-existing conditions. For as low as $28/month, EasyCare+ gives you international protection, whether you plan to travel or if you want to get the best healthcare locally.
Each of our health plans is tailored to your specific needs. You can have access to a network of over 10,000 doctors, hospitals, and clinics in more than 150 countries.
Contact us to get in touch with our Brokers or Get a Quote now.
Since 2008, A+ International Healthcare has been providing best-in-class medical health plans around the world. To know more about our products and services, visit http://www.aplusii.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates.
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