Living alone abroad sounds glamorous. You imagine sipping coffee on a balcony in Paris and journaling about life’s mysteries. In reality, you’re searching for “how to unclog a sink” at 2 a.m. while eating cereal for dinner.
Welcome to independence, the no-return, no-warranty version. But don’t worry. Here are some survival tips to help you stay sane, safe, and occasionally well-fed.
1. Learn to Cook… Or at Least Pretend To
Instant noodles work for the first week, but then you realize your body needs actual nutrients. Cooking basic meals saves you money, improves your health, and spares you the embarrassment of explaining to your mom why you ordered pizza again. Bonus: cooking costs less than therapy.
2. Don’t Treat Your Apartment Like a Jungle
Sure, plants look nice until you forget to water them and end up with a tiny plant graveyard. Keep your space clean. A mess attracts bugs, and bugs don’t pay rent.
3. Make Friends with Neighbours (The Good Kind)
A nice neighbour can water your plants, lend you tools, or come to your rescue when you lock yourself out (yes, it will happen). But remember, being “friendly” doesn’t mean you have to share your entire life story on day one.
4. Manage Your Money Like It’s a Pet
Feed it (income), don’t let it wander off (budget), and definitely don’t neglect it (overspending). Living alone means covering rent, groceries, utilities, and occasional emergencies, like replacing your phone charger at the worst possible time.
5. Don’t Ignore Home Maintenance
That strange noise in the bathroom won’t fix itself. Learn basic skills: changing a lightbulb, tightening loose screws, or resetting a tripped breaker. You’re the landlord now, unfortunately.
6. Safety First, Netflix Later
Lock your doors and know your emergency numbers. And for the love of Wi-Fi, don’t invite random strangers over just because they say they “love your vibe.”
7. Don’t Let Loneliness Move In
Living alone can get quiet. Call family, join clubs, or host small dinners (cheap ones, since you’re still a student). Your mental health is as important as your grades.
8. Learn the Art of Self-Motivation
No one will remind you to wake up, do laundry, or pay bills. You’re in charge now. It sounds fun until you realize your boss (you) can be lazy.
9. Stock Up on “Just in Case” Items
First-aid kits, extra snacks, and spare batteries will save you from panic runs to the store in your pajamas late at night.
10. Accept That You’ll Make Mistakes
You’ll forget to pay a bill, shrink a sweater in the wash, or accidentally buy 5kg of rice because it was on sale. It’s fine. Every mishap is part of your “living alone” origin story.
Final Thought:
Living alone abroad is both scary and exciting. You’ll learn independence, problem-solving, and the deep value of a working washing machine. One day, when you’re back home, you’ll tell stories that make it all sound magical while conveniently leaving out the part where you cried over a burnt omelette.
