"I wanted to live somewhere else." - He sat down.
"I was just curious, I wanted to see something new." - Maren.
"A close friend told me that moving out would be good for me." - Andreas.
"I was hungry for adventure." - Hagen.
Have you ever dreamed of living in a foreign country, maybe only temporarily? Thousands of young people can do just that every year. Andreas says of his international experience: "I would like to do that again."
Some young people move out temporarily because they want to earn money or learn a foreign language. For example, au pair programs are very popular in many countries. This enables young foreigners to tidy up in exchange for room and board for a family, and they can use their free time to learn the local language. Then there are young people who are going to study abroad. Others are looking for work to help their families financially. Others move because they don't know what to do after school and want a break abroad.
Interestingly, some young Christians have moved to countries with a lack of evangelizers to expand their ministry. Whatever the reason for the change, living in a foreign country can be a valuable lesson in adult independence. You can expand your horizons culturally. You may even master a foreign language, which can improve your prospects in the job market.
However, living abroad is not always a positive experience. Susanne, for example, spent a year on the stock exchange. She says, “I was sure it would be absolutely fantastic from start to finish. This was not the case. “Some young people have already been exploited or have had serious problems. Therefore, it is advisable to sit down before packing and consider the pros and cons.
Analyze your motivations
Considering the pros and cons would certainly also include considering your reasons for wanting to go abroad. It is one thing to travel in search of spiritual interests or to do family duties. But like the young people mentioned at the beginning, many want to move just because they want adventure, more freedom or fun. That is not necessarily wrong. Finally, Ecclesiastes 11: 9 encourages young people to "rejoice in the youth." However, Ec 11 verse 10 warns: "Take the suffering out of your heart and take the unhappiness out of your flesh."
If the reason for moving to a foreign country is to avoid parental restrictions, you can cause "misfortune". Do you remember Jesus' parable about the prodigal son? It was about a young man who selfishly traveled abroad, apparently to gain more freedom. It wasn't long, however, before misfortune ensued and he was hungry, impoverished, and insane. --Luke 15: 11-16.
Then there are those who want to change because they want to escape the problems at home. But as Heike Berg writes in his book What's Up: “If you want to go just because you are not happy. . . and you think everything will be better elsewhere, forget it! “In fact, it's better to tackle problems head on. There is nothing to be gained from running away from situations we don't like.
Greed and materialism are other dangerous reasons. Driven by the desire for wealth, many young people have grandiose and unrealistic ideas about what life is like in industrialized countries. Some imagine that all westerners are rich. However, this is far from true. After moving, many young people find themselves in a foreign country struggling to escape poverty. * The Bible warns: "The love of money is the root of all sorts of harmful things, and in search of that love some have been led to distance themselves from the faith and stab themselves with great pain" (1 Timothy 6, p. 10).
Are you ready?
There is one more factor to consider: do you really have the maturity to deal with the difficulties, problems and conflicts that will arise abroad? You will likely need to live with a roommate or family and adjust to their routine. So how are you doing at home now? Do your parents complain that you are reckless and selfish? Do you tend to be picky about what you eat? Are you ready to do your bit for housework? If these topics are difficult for you now, just imagine how difficult they could be for you in a foreign country!
If You Are a Christian, Can You Keep Your Spirituality? Or do your parents need to keep reminding you not to neglect Bible studies, Christian meetings, and sermons? Would you be mentally strong enough to withstand the strange pressures and temptations that you may not face at home? On his first day of school in a foreign country, a young Christian exchange student was told where to get illegal drugs. Later a colleague asked him to go. In her home country a girl would never express her interest so directly. A young African man who settled in Europe also notes: “In our country we never see immoral pictures in public. But here you can see them everywhere. Moving abroad can lead to spiritual shipwreck if a person is not "steadfast in the faith" (1 Peter 5: 9).
Know the facts!
Before you move, you need to know all the facts. Do not use used information. For example, if you are considering a student exchange program, how much does it cost? You will be surprised to learn that it is typically in the thousands of dollars. You also need to know if the education you receive abroad is recognized in your country. Also, gather as much information as you can about the country: its laws, its culture, its customs. What is the cost of living there? What taxes do you have to pay? Are there any health risks I should consider? It can be useful to talk to people who lived there.
Then there is the topic of living. Host parents of exchange students usually do not expect any material compensation. However, staying with people who do not follow biblical principles can cause a lot of stress and tension. A stay with friends or family can be an alternative. But be careful not to burden them even if they ask you to stay. Doing so can damage or even destroy your relationship with them. --Proverbs 25:17.
As you think about making money abroad, think about your Christian obligation to obey secular authorities. (Romans 13: 1-7) Does the law allow you to work in this land? If so, under what conditions? If you work illegally, you can endanger your position as an honest Christian and do without basic protection like accident insurance. Even if it is legal to work, you still need to be careful and cunning. (Proverbs 14:15.) Unscrupulous employers often take advantage of strangers.
make a decision
Hence, it is clear that the decision to move to a foreign country is important and should not be taken lightly. Sit down with your parents and carefully consider the benefits and dangers to be expected. Don't try to let your excitement override your judgment. Be honest when analyzing your reasons. Listen carefully to your parents. After all, they still feel responsible for you even if you are hundreds of miles away. They will likely need your financial support to survive.
In the end, a change may not be desirable, at least for now. It can be disappointing, but there are plenty of other cool things you can do. For example, have you explored the possibility of visiting interesting places yourself? Or why not start learning a foreign language? In the course of time, the opportunity to travel abroad may arise.
Interesting writing