Moving abroad in your 20s: why I never regretted it

I was 17 when I left China to study in the UK. Seventeen. I still think about how young that is, and how little I knew about what I was walking into. I just knew I wanted to see what else was out there.

Years later, I moved again, this time to Australia. Two countries, two very different versions of me, and I can say this honestly: I have never regretted it. Not because every day was easy, because it wasn't. But because the life I get to experience now is so different from the one I would have had if I'd stayed in one place. I have more choices. More room to decide who I want to be, instead of just who I was expected to be.

So if you're sitting on the edge of moving abroad right now, feeling that mix of excitement and nausea, this one is for you.

Why moving abroad in your 20s is worth it

Your 20s are a rare window. You probably don't have a mortgage, a family to relocate, or a career so locked in that leaving feels impossible. That freedom doesn't last forever, and it's easy to miss it while you're busy telling yourself you'll go "one day."

Moving abroad also lets you start fresh. Nobody knows the old labels people gave you. Nobody expects you to be the quiet one, the sensible one, the girl who always says yes. You get to try on a different way of being and see what fits.

And you grow up fast, in the best way. Finding a place to live, setting up a bank account, working out a phone plan, making friends from scratch. It all lands on you, and one day you realise you've been handling it without panicking. That quiet confidence stays with you long after the move.

I'll be honest though: moving abroad won't fix your life. Whatever you're carrying will fly with you in the suitcase. But you'll have space to face it, and a lot of us need that distance to finally do it. Feeling scared is normal. Going anyway is the brave part.

How to actually do it

There's more than one door. A working holiday visa is one of the easiest ways to test a country for a year or two, though age limits and eligibility depend on your passport and the destination. A student visa is another, which is how it started for me. Others move for a job, teach English, work as an au pair, or get sponsored by an employer. Pick the route that feels realistic for you, then work backwards from there.

Write a simple to-do list split into "before I go" and "when I arrive." The visa goes at the top. Deciding which jumper to pack can wait.

Travel insurance for a move abroad

This is the unglamorous part, but please don't skip it. Regular travel insurance is usually built for trips, not for living somewhere. Some policies won't cover you once you've relocated long-term, so read the fine print and ask exactly what is and isn't included. Medical costs are often the biggest surprise expense overseas, which is why it matters so much.

The Australian government's Smartraveller page on travel insurance is a clear, no-nonsense place to start, and I'd read it before you buy anything. Also check whether your visa or your university has its own health cover rules for the country you're heading to.

How to save money before you go

The best ways to save money are boring, and they work. Decide on a number and a date, then automate a transfer into a separate account so you're not relying on willpower. Pack less than you think you need and bring more money than you think you need. Most things can be bought when you land, and you'll want a cushion for the weeks before your first pay arrives.

Once you're there, the first few weeks cost more than you expect. Deposits, transport, a new phone plan, a few "I just need this" purchases. Knowing that ahead of time makes it much less scary.

What are smart ways to save money on groceries?

Groceries are one of the easiest places to claw money back once you've landed, because you can change them every single week. These are the habits that make the biggest difference for me:

Plan a few meals before you shop and write a list. Check the unit price instead of the sticker price, because the bigger pack isn't always the better deal and the smaller one isn't always cheaper. Try the supermarket's own brand, which is often just as good. Look at more than one store if you can, and lean on frozen and tinned veg when fresh is expensive. Don't shop hungry, because everything looks like a good idea.

If you want a proper rundown, CHOICE has a really practical piece on smart grocery swaps, and the NSW Government's food and groceries guide is full of everyday tips, even if you're not living in Australia.

Give yourself time to feel at home

You won't feel settled right away, and that's okay. Plan your arrival so you land in daylight and know exactly how you're getting to your new place. Say hi to people. Join a group or two before you go so there's already someone to meet for coffee. Build yourself a little list of things that cheer you up, for the days loneliness hits, because it will, for everyone.

Slow down and enjoy being a tourist in your own new life. One day you'll look back and realise how much you built.

I moved from China to the UK at 17 and later to Australia, and the biggest thing I learned is that you are more capable than you think. You don't need to have it all figured out. You just need to take the first step and let the rest unfold.

So tell me, where would you go if you knew it would work out? I'd love to hear it in the comments.