Your First 100 Days as an Expat: How to Get Off to a Flying Start?
Your tickets are booked, your bags are packed, and a new life abroad awaits. But once the initial excitement fades, reality often kicks in. As an expat, your first hundred days can feel like a whirlwind of impressions, paperwork, and emotions. The big challenge? Finding your footing in a new environment, without losing yourself along the way.
We collected a couple of honest stories from expats navigating their first months in a new country. What went smoothly, what didn’t, and what would they have done differently in hindsight. Alongside their experiences, you’ll find practical tips and insights. Including an overview of the insurance coverage you’ll want sorted from day one. Because a great start begins with solid preparation.
“I thought I was 100% prepared. Until I got there.”
Julie (29) moved from Antwerp to Lisbon last year for a job as a digital marketer at an international tech company. Fluent in English, she had already rented an apartment online and her employer had arranged her flight. Good to go, right?
“That first week, I ran myself ragged. I had to register with the local municipality, open a bank account, and apply for a tax number… Oh, and start my new job! The apartment I’d booked turned out to be noisy and damp. And I didn’t know a single person. I didn’t expect the practical side to be so overwhelming.”
Julie’s story is all too familiar for many expats. Even when everything looks good on paper, you’re likely to run into cultural differences, slow-moving bureaucracy, or unexpected obstacles.
Golden tip: Consider booking temporary housing for your 1st month so you can look for something better in person. And check if your employer or university offers support for things like registration, taxes, or banking. Many international organizations provide an onboarding package for newcomers.
Living, Working, and… Adjusting
Pieter-Jan (42) and his wife moved to Singapore with their two children, where he took up a role as logistics manager in the port industry. Although they left well-prepared, adjusting still took time.
“Our kids missed their grandparents and didn’t understand why their classmates spoke a different language. My wife felt a bit lost in the first few weeks. She ‘d quit her job and suddenly found herself in a tropical city with no network. We thought we’d settle in quickly, but that turned out to be… optimistic.”
A new environment can be daunting, even when it’s one you’ve chosen yourself. That’s why it’s important to create soft landing moments. Give yourself space to explore, but don’t force it. Establish local routines: the Saturday market, the café on the corner, a park to walk or jog in, etc. And above all: be open to connecting with others.
“We met with other expat families through the international school,” Pieter-Jan says. “But it was actually the chats with our neighbour (a retired Singaporean woman who handed out flowers to the kids every morning) that made the biggest difference. You have to open up, even to people who seem nothing like you at first sight.”
Your Invisible Luggage: Culture Shock and Homesickness
Thomas (34) moved to Tokyo for an engineering job and thought he could handle it. He had already worked in Germany, spoke fluent English, and had been preparing for months. But the culture shock still hit hard.
“I understood on a rational level that Japan is a different culture, but I underestimated its impact on me. No one spoke English on the street, social cues were super subtle, and I missed humor and spontaneous conversation. I often felt clumsy, like a bull in a china shop. Luckily, taking a language course helped me understand the cultural codes and sensitivities. That really helped me integrate and feel at home more quickly.”
A culture shock doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re taking your new environment seriously. Don’t be discouraged. Learn a few key phrases in the local language, talk to colleagues about their customs, ask questions with genuine curiosity. And above all: give yourself time.
Insurance: Your Safety Net From Day One
Annelies (38), a freelance graphic designer, decided to take a sabbatical in Thailand. Just a month in, she unexpectedly fell ill.
“Suddenly I was in a hospital in Bangkok with a high fever. Thankfully, I’d taken out a medical expat insurance policy with Expat & Co. Everything was handled quickly. Even the doctors spoke English. And I didn’t have to pay anything upfront. Without that insurance, it would’ve cost me thousands. It was a wake-up call: adventure is great, but you also need to get your basics in order.”
As an expat, you face more risks than you might think. Not just health-related, but legal and financial as well. Good insurance isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.
Checklist: What You Need From Day One
- Medical insurance: covering hospital stays, outpatient care, medication.
- Liability insurance: in case you accidentally cause damage to others, for example, in a cycling accident.
- Renter’s liability & contents insurance: for your own belongings or the furnished apartment you’re renting.
- Travel insurance: a must-have if you travel internationally often.
- Disability insurance: essential for freelancers, self-employed workers or consultants. Who pays your income if you can’t work?
At Expat & Co, you can choose packages tailored to your profile: student, employee, self-employed, retired (up to age 70), family… You get transparent information and personal support. There’s even a multilingual emergency hotline, available 24/7. Medical emergency? Misfortune back home? Problem with your home? Someone’s always ready to help.
Connecting With Your New World
Social integration rarely happens by accident. It often means stepping outside your comfort zone. Lien (25), who spent a year in Valencia on Erasmus, found her footing through sports.
“I joined a local running club. At first, I didn’t understand a word anyone said, but after our jogs we’d sometimes share a glass of cava (sorry Mom 😉) in the park. That’s how I got to know the city, the language, and the people. Now I have friends from Spain, but also from Italy, Mexico, and Asia. It’s an experience that has shaped me forever.”
Lien’s story shows that the first 100 days might not be the easiest, but they’re definitely the most formative. By actively seeking connection, you’ll discover not only your new home, but new parts of yourself.
In Conclusion: The Art of a Soft Landing
Moving aboard isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. And it starts with a good warm-up. Sort out your paperwork, arrange your insurance, build social safety, and be kind to yourself.
Or as Koen (55), an HR manager in New York, puts it: “You leave with a plan, but you arrive in a story. Maybe even the best one of your life.”
Expat & Co is here to make your first 100 days, and all the days after, more carefree. With reliable insurance solutions and expert advice tailored to your situation.
Discover our expat insurance plans at www.expatinsurance.eu.