by Katley Demetria Brown

Created on: March 30, 2009

I consider myself extremely fortunate in that I have had the opportunity to live in a foreign country. Many people I've known have never lived outside the United States, and therefore have no idea of what it's like to experience a country, culture, and a language different than one's own. It will transform you and become a part of you forever. It expands your horizons and changes your outlook on life, people and the world in general.

Visiting a foreign country as a tourist is totally different than actually living in one. It's comparable to the difference between reading the notes on a book cover as opposed to actually reading the book. A tourist gets a superficial impression, the resident learns a new way of life.

People are afraid of what they know little about. Therefore the first thing to do before leaving home is to do some research about the country where you will be living. Germany's Deutsche Welle, for example and Radio Bulgaria have web sites that are excellent sources for news, current events, and culture. Travel books are excellent resources as well, as long as the information is up to date. Better yet is to speak with a friend or acquaintance who is a native of the country, or who has lived there for an extended period of time. They can offer insider tips that may not be found in books or on the Web.

One of the most important tips to successful living abroad is to learn the language. The locals take you seriously and are more willing to help you if you make the attempt, even if your pronunciation is not perfect. If possible, before you leave, sign up for a foreign language course at a nearby school or college. The investment is well worth it, because getting around, shopping and meeting people are so much easier when you speak the language!

Learn the customs. For example, in Germany, people are more formal than in the United States, and shake hands when they meet and greet. When eating out, never sit at a "stammtisch", this is a table reserved for the long-time patrons of a restaurant who meet there on a regular basis. Customs vary by country therefore it's very important to get this information before leaving home. This applies especially when traveling on business.

Find out ahead of time about how to get around. Will you be driving or using public transportation? Using the bus, train or tram is the cheapest, most environmentally friendly way to travel. In rural areas, however, you will need a car. In most countries of the world, driving is done on

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