🌍 Settling Into Life Abroad: What the First Month Really Looks Like

Landing in a new country to start a season of work can be surreal. One minute you’re stepping off the plane, the next you’re living in shared accommodation, figuring out your job, your bearings, and where the cheapest coffee is. Whether you're heading off to the sun-soaked chaos of Zante, the club scene in Ibiza, or the laid-back calm of Bali, that first month abroad has its own rhythm. Here’s what to expect.

🛏️ You Probably Won’t Sleep Well at First

It’s not just the time difference (though if you’re heading to Bali or Thailand, jet lag hits hard). It’s the change. New noises, heat, maybe a shared room with people you’ve just met — all of it can make proper rest a challenge for a bit.

It passes. You adapt quicker than you think.

💬 You’ll Be Social… Even If You’re Not That Social

Seasonal work life abroad means you’re rarely alone. Whether you’re promoting boat parties in Magaluf or helping run events in Ibiza, you’ll meet people fast. Most of the time, you’re either working with them, living with them — or both.

🍝 You'll Find a Routine, Eventually

At first, every day might feel a bit chaotic. But whether you’re working in a beach bar in Zante or managing hostel check-ins in Thailand, routines form quickly. You figure out:

• Your go-to local food spot

• How long it takes to get to work

• Which nights out are worth the hangover

It starts to feel like real life surprisingly fast.

💰 Money Goes Fast

Budgeting abroad is a skill. Drinks, taxis, last-minute trips, communal dinners — it all adds up. Some places (like Bali and Thailand) feel cheap until you fall into the habit of eating out 3 times a day. Others (like Ibiza) start expensive and stay that way.

Once you’ve blown your first week’s wages in three days, you’ll figure out how to pace yourself.

🤯 Culture Shock Is Real

It's not just temples and motorbikes in Thailand that catch you off guard. Even in places like Magaluf or Zante, the local way of doing things is different. Timings, attitudes, work pace — it all varies.

Go in expecting differences, and you’ll adjust quicker.

✅ Final Thought

That first month working abroad can be intense, messy, and incredible all at once. You’ll feel tired, you’ll miss home at times, but you’ll also laugh more than you expect, learn things without realising.

Give it time. Most people who stay past the first few weeks end up calling it one of the best choices they’ve made.