Have you ever considered dating abroad?
Living or traveling abroad is a thrilling and transformative experience. It introduces you to new cultures, cuisines, languages, and people, and ultimately helps you discover your best self. But nomadic living isn’t always a fairytale; it can come with its fair share of lows. One glum aspect of adopting a globetrotting lifestyle is loneliness.
It can be challenging to form meaningful relationships with others when you’re routinely on the move. While making friends abroad is fairly straightforward, forming romantic connections can be an entirely different beast. Dating is already complicated but when you toss in cultural differences and the fleeting nature of travel into the mix, you may have a recipe for disaster on your hands. On the contrary, if done right, dating abroad can be a beautifully wondrous life-changing adventure.
So if you’re thinking of plunging into the international dating pool, first weigh the pros and cons.
Pros
- A partner could support you through the highs and lows of living or traveling abroad.
- You’d have someone by your side to share experiences and adventures with.
- An international relationship can help you gain a different perspective of the world, yourself, and others.
- Dating abroad can be an immersive experience that introduces you to new cultures and ways of life that you may not have encountered on your own.
- You could meet the love of your life.
Cons
- It can be difficult to navigate language and cultural barriers while dating abroad.
- Differing cultural attitudes toward dating and relationships could negatively impact your budding romance.
- Due to the nature of traveling and living a nomadic life, the relationship may only be temporary.
- You might have to make some big life changes in order to maintain the relationship.
Here are some tips that will hopefully make your destination dating experience a smooth and enjoyable one.
Be open to the possibility of a short-term romance
Longing for companionships and romantic connections is part of being human. Just because you’re away from home doesn’t mean you should deprive yourself of such a basic human need. That being said, it’s important you are realistic about the relationships you form while traveling, as they can be short-lived. Managing your expectations can mean the difference between a good time and a broken heart.
Make sure you’re both on the same page
Communication is key in any relationship but especially when it comes to dating abroad. Whether you date a fellow nomad or a local, it’s likely that the two of you will have different plans, different goals for your life, and different time frames. Discuss what it is you’re both looking for and what lengths you are both willing to go to in order to maintain the connection. Are you open to a long-distance relationship? Would you permanently move to another country for the person? These are just some of the questions you’ll need to ask one another as the relationship progresses.
Embrace one another's differences
Experiencing different cultures and ways of life is one of the most alluring parts of travel. So when you date someone with an unfamiliar background, you should embrace it, not shy away from it. Being open to learning about the other person’s cuisines, language, beliefs, and customs will make all the difference in building a healthy and respectful relationship. Even if the relationship is a fling, take advantage of the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture. And be sure to share your heritage with them as well.
Accept any and all opportunities presented to you
Life is short so don’t let the uncertainty of dating abroad keep you from experiencing it. While traveling try to say “yes” to every opportunity (keeping safety in mind, of course) and fully take advantage of the time you have at a destination. You never know where or how you might run into Mr./Mrs. Right. But even if nothing comes from a romantic relationship, you’ll still have memories that’ll last a lifetime, a fresh perspective on life, and possibly a new friend.
