9 Things Expats Get Horribly Wrong About Living Abroad And How to Avoid Them!

Think You’re Ready for Expat Life? Think Again!

Moving abroad isn’t just about packing your bags and chasing adventure, it’s a crash course in culture shock, unexpected pitfalls, and lessons learned the hard way.

Many expats dive in with big dreams, only to stumble over the same avoidable mistakes. Before you become another cautionary tale, let’s break down the nine biggest blunders and how to sidestep them like a seasoned.. well… expat.

I Thought I Was Ready… Until I Wasn’t

I was standing in a supermarket in Kyiv, staring at an endless row of dairy products, trying to decipher labels in a language I barely understood.

Milk, kefir, sour cream, tvorog or some mystery fermented nightmare?

I took a gamble.

Spoiler Alert: It was kefir.

My stomach was not prepared.

Moving abroad was supposed to be a grand adventure, endless discovery, affordable rent, leisurely café mornings, and seamless cultural immersion.

Instead, I found myself:

• Battling bureaucracy that made my DMV experiences in the US look efficient.
• Trying to figure out why my “fully furnished” apartment came with carpeting…on the walls.
• Discovering that my American sense of customer service didn’t exist in Eastern Europe.

Sound familiar? If you’ve ever fantasized about moving abroad, you’ve probably seen the dreamy Instagram shots of people working remotely in Bali or sipping espresso in Paris.

But what they don’t show you? 

The frustration, confusion, and hidden pitfalls that can make or break your expat experience.

If you’re thinking about making the move, or already have and are currently wondering, “What the hell you’ve done?”, this is for you.

Let’s break down the biggest mistakes expats make and how to avoid them.

1. Romanticizing the Expat Life Too Much

The Myth vs. Reality

Before moving abroad, I pictured myself living like a character in a travel documentary, mornings spent writing in a cozy café in Kyiv, weekend getaways to charming Eastern European villages, and effortless social integration.

Reality? 

Bureaucracy, random power outages, and realizing “cheap rent” doesn’t include electric heating costs in the dead of winter.

How to Avoid It: 

• Stop trusting Instagram influencers. They’re showing curated moments, not reality.
• Join expat groups (but don’t take everything said on those groups as a given) and ask about the hard parts, not just where to find the best brunch spots.
• Remember, life follows you. Bills, work stress, and bad days exist no matter where you live.

2. Underestimating Culture Shock

The Emotional Rollercoaster They Don’t Warn You About

Culture shock isn’t just about language barriers, it’s about realizing that “normal” doesn’t exist.

• In Georgia, declining more food at a supra (feast) is basically an invitation for your host to double your plate.
• In Ukraine, customer service isn’t rude, it’s efficient (no small talk, just get your stuff and leave).
• In Thailand, a smile doesn’t always mean happiness, it can mean discomfort, frustration, or polite disagreement.

How to Avoid It: 

• Expect discomfort. If you’re not at least a little confused daily, are you even living abroad?
• Learn key phrases even if your pronunciation is awful, locals appreciate the effort.
• Go with the flow. Some days, things won’t make sense. Laugh about it.

3. Thinking the Cost of Living Will Always Be Cheaper

The Budgeting Mistake That Can Ruin You

Sure, your rent might be lower, but what about: 

• Visa fees. Because governments will find ways to make you pay.
• Seasonal costs that budget apartment suddenly isn’t so cheap when winter heating bills hit.
• Imported goods. Peanut butter? Tripled in price. That shampoo you like? Doesn’t exist.

A fellow traveler in Bangkok once told me he’d live like a king on $500/month.

Three months later, he realized his rent alone was $700 because he picked the poshest, expat-heavy area in town. Oops!

How to Avoid It: 

• Make a realistic budget that includes hidden costs (health insurance, visa renewals, utilities).
• Live like a local, not an expat. This is key! If you eat at tourist restaurants every day, your “cheap” life won’t be so cheap.

4. Expecting to Integrate Instantly

The Harsh Truth About Making Local Friends

Newsflash!

“Friendships don’t happen overnight, especially across cultures.”

I spent months in Ukraine assuming my good ol’ American charm and willingness to try green borscht would win over locals.

Instead, I learned that some cultures take their time before accepting outsiders.

Meanwhile, I watched other expats never leave their English-speaking bubbles, living abroad but never actually experiencing the country.

How to Avoid It: 

• Go where locals go! Take a class, join a sports club, a gym, attend cultural events.
• Understand social norms. In some countries, friendships are built over “years”, not small talk.
• Be patient! Feeling like an outsider at first is normal.

5. Ignoring Visa and Legal Issues

How to Accidentally Get Deported

Nothing makes you appreciate immigration laws like realizing your visa expired two days ago.

I’ve had friends fined at airports, people turned away at borders, and one guy who got banned from re-entering Thailand because he thought “visa runs” were still a thing.

Spoiler alert: They’re not!

How to Avoid It:

• Triple-check visa rules. Assume that online info is outdated.
• Set calendar reminders for renewals. Last-minute scrambling = unnecessary stress.
• Have an exit plan. Always!

6. Assuming Remote Work Is Easy from Anywhere

The Dark Side of “Work from Paradise”

Yes, you can technically work from anywhere. But will you have: 

• Stable Wi-Fi?
• Quiet spaces? (That “peaceful” Airbnb might come with construction next door.)
• Reasonable time zones? (Hope you like 3 AM Zoom calls.)

How to Avoid It:

• Test Wi-Fi speeds before renting long-term.
• Have a backup plan. Mobile data, co-working space, or emergency tethering.
• Time-zone-proof your schedule.

7. Not Learning the Local Language

English Won’t Save You Everywhere

I once mimed a stomach ache to a pharmacist in Kyiv.

It was humbling.

How to Avoid It:

• Take language classes ASAP. Duolingo alone won’t cut it (at least long-term).
• Practice daily. Even if you butcher the grammar (except, maybe in France, lol!), locals respect effort.

 8. Believing Expat Forums Have All the Answers

The Facebook Group Trap

Expats love giving advice, even when it’s wrong. I’ve seen people confidently give outdated visa info, claim tap water is “fine” (it wasn’t), and insist landlords “never” raise rent (they do).

How to Avoid It:

• Cross-check advice with official sources.
• Talk to locals. They actually “live” there.

9. Forgetting to Plan for Repatriation

Going Home is Weird

Reverse culture shock is real. You’ll return home and find that:

• Your old friends aren’t interested in your “When I was in [insert country]” stories.
• Everything costs “way” more than you remember.
• You suddenly don’t feel at home “anywhere”.

How to Avoid It:

• Keep ties with home. Visit, call, stay connected.
• Have a re-entry plan. Don’t just “wing it.”

So, What’s the Biggest Expat Mistake You’ve Made?

Got a horror story? 

A lesson learned?