Top tips for young professionals looking to travel

Let’s be realistic – the pandemic was far from a pleasant experience. But while a lot of bad came out of this troubling period, it would be wrong to suggest we didn’t also stumble across some positives too. Arguably chief amongst those was a reassessment of the way in which we work.
 
Remote workplaces became the norm during national lockdowns. And although some offices have reverted back to a more traditional approach, there’s still a strong appetite from young professionals in particular to make the world their office.
 
It’s perhaps little surprise then that as many as 42% of employees want to use their current company’s remote policies to allow them to work abroad. If you’re fortunate enough to have this option as a realistic avenue, you’ll want to make sure you’re doing things right. Here are three important tips to remember before you throw a dart at a board and jet off to the first place it lands.

1.   Assess the average cost of living
First and foremost, you’re going to want to guarantee that you can live within your means. While we’d all like to up sticks and move to New York City or London, it might not be feasible on the budget we’ve set ourselves. By the same token, you won’t want to pick a country that’s particularly cheap to live in, as you may be sacrificing amenities which you’ve come to take for granted.
 
The best way to work out somewhere you can realistically afford to live is to consult a cost of living index. These handy tools will let you break down each core factor when it comes to your expenses – looking at groceries, rent, and even purchasing power on a country-by-country basis.

2.    Engage in local communities
Heading abroad is fairly pointless if you end up shutting yourself away in seclusion. Make sure you take the time to get out and really embrace the exciting new world around you. This is particularly important if you’ve headed somewhere which has a culture that’s significantly different to your own.
 
One of the best approaches here is to sign up to a local club that peaks your interest. This could be for board games, sports, reading, or anything else you consider a hobby or passion. You’re bound to meet a bunch of like-minded individuals.

3.   Consider foreign salary expectations
​It could be that rather than working remotely, you want to find active employment in your new home. This can be a really exciting and rewarding experience. Just be sure to do some research first about what countries and job sectors pay the right amount for you to live healthily on.
 
If being a high-earner is something you’re passionate about, then Switzerland (who have eight of the highest paying job roles in the world) could be a good bet. Failing that, roles in Denmark, the USA, Iceland, and Norway also all find themselves on the list of top-paying jobs.
 
Working abroad will open your mind to new possibilities and ways of thinking. But it’s vital you’re prepared for the shift. Make sure to use this guide as a starting point, as you take the first steps on this exciting journey.
 
Get in touch if you want to take a trip to a new destination and want to scope it out or have already decided and want to move there, we can help you book all your travel arrangements.
The Travel Company Edinburgh 0131 467 7000
[email protected]
www.ttce.com