Three Crucial Things I Learned About Moving to a Foreign Country…and how to do it like the movie star of your own life

Moving to a foreign country felt like stepping onto a set with no script… here’s what I learned to survive and thrive.

On the fourth day of our May 2016 vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Todd and I looked at each other and knew: we were moving here.

Six months later, we packed up our life in Chicago and landed in Vallarta.

I was prepared for the logistics of moving. But what I wasn’t prepared for… was living in a foreign country. That’s a whole other adventure.

Here’s what I learned — the three crucial things that will help you move abroad and keep your inner movie star shining:

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1. Language Barrier – a crash course in humility

Sure, we thought everyone in a tourist town would speak English. Wrong. On day one, we tried the toll road and ended up on a 2-hour detour because we didn’t know the word for “free.”

Ordering lunch at Carl’s Jr.? Pointing at the menu. Internet installation? A six-week saga involving cobblestones, multiple visits, and a lot of patience.

Lesson: language is more than communication — it’s a doorway into culture, connection, and sometimes, chaos.

Tip: Learn as much of the language as you can beforehand, and bring your sense of humor.

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2. Daily Life – the small things become the adventure

From garbage pickup to gas tanks, to finding your mail (which may or may not arrive), everything seemed different. The small details that are easy to overlook suddenly felt monumental.

We discovered that moving abroad is not just about the big leap — it’s about learning to navigate the tiny, strange, wonderful things that make a place home.

Tip: Embrace the difference, notice the quirks, and let curiosity be your guide.

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3. Your Immune System – expect the unexpected

Your body is on a cultural exchange too. New climate, new bacteria, new foods — your immune system will work overtime. Todd and I both struggled with stomach issues and colds during our first year.

But here’s the thing: by paying attention to natural health, rest, and self-care, you can turn these challenges into lessons about resilience.

Tip: Treat your body like your most important co-star — give it what it needs to shine.

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The Movie Star Moment

Moving to a foreign country isn’t just logistics, it’s a transformation. You learn patience, humor, flexibility, and courage. You step into uncertainty and discover what you’re made of.

Yes, the internet may fail. Mail may be delayed. You may stumble over language and culture. But in the process, you find yourself — and that’s exactly what being the movie star of your life is all about.

Adventure isn’t just a destination — it’s how you show up every day, with your heart open, your curiosity alive, and your inner movie star fully present.

So, if you’re thinking about moving abroad…

Pack your essentials, yes. But pack your courage, your curiosity, and your joy too. That’s what will turn every challenge into a story worth telling.

Find your inner movie star.

xo Kathleen Naomi

My character Larleen on moving to a foreign country...