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The real-life ultimate guide to moving abroad from the UK

14th April 2025

Moving countries? Bold move, my adventurous friend! Let’s unpack this life-sized game of Tetris with a pinch of humour and a heap of practical advice. Here’s a funny, relatable, and informative blog about your leap into the unknown.

“From There to Here: A Hilariously Semi-Successful Guide to Moving Countries Without Losing Your Mind”

Have you ever thought, “I know what my life needs—a dollop of chaos, a sprinkle of stress, and a pinch of culture shock”? Welcome to the magical world of moving countries, where every suitcase is an enigma and every form you fill out is a mystery wrapped in bureaucracy. Sit tight, intrepid traveller, because this blog will guide you through the organized mayhem of starting anew on foreign soil, all while keeping your sense of humour intact (and your passport un-lost… hopefully).

1. The Moment You Decide to Move

You’ve made the decision. You’re moving to a whole new country! Cue the flood of emotions: excitement, terror, denial, and the existential crisis of realising you need to fit your entire life into either 23kg of luggage, a ton of cartons with the things that you ‘just can’t live without, or you’re entire house – including the kitchen sink. Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Somewhere, a Norwegian backpacker is crying over her oversized jar of peanut butter at an airport check-in counter. Solidarity.

2. Packing: A Study in Minimalism or not…..

This is where the adventure truly begins. You’ll learn that your possessions fall into three categories:

1. Things you can’t live without: Toothbrush, passport, and maybe your childhood teddy bear (no judgment).

2. Things you definitely don’t need but will pack anyway: Ten pairs of shoes, that one sweater you haven’t worn since 2015, and five jars of Marmite “just in case.” If you’re anything like me – my shoe collection – a veritable fortune in footwear – most of which I never wear!

3. Things you forgot you even owned: Oh, hello, a plastic dinosaur from that trip to the Natural History Museum.

4. Talk to a professional moving company: Keep the angst at bay – They know their stuff – they do it all the time – even if you think you know how to pack the crystal that you got for your 21st because you’ve moved twice – they can do it better – it’s what they do for a living – every day!

5. Consider putting things that you know you don’t need now but will in the future into storage – some things just don’t travel. It also means that you are not in any danger of overloading the loft space at your parent’s/unsuspecting family friend.

6. Drink the alcohol! Leftovers can make for some interesting (perhaps not advisable under any other circumstances) cocktails – the full recipe for Simone’s leaving cocktail involving a surprising concoction of the leftover vodka, advocaat and baileys has thankfully been subscribed to the bin! It did make for some interesting conversations, though! Alternatively, donate half-finished bottles to a friend – promising to come back and finish it at some point in the future (if you turn up 2 years later and discover that the bottle of Galliano you bought in a fit of ‘Harvey wall bangers sounds like a good idea’ moment – still untouched – it’s time to rethink your cocktail choices!

7. Use different coloured Post-it notes to give you a better idea of what you are
taking/moving –

o Must take
o Would like to take
o Meh…

Pro Tip: Use the KonMari method, but with a twist. If it doesn’t spark immediate panic when you think of leaving it behind, ditch it.

3. Paperwork: The Eternal Slog

Now, let’s talk bureaucracy. Remember that one time you thought assembling IKEA furniture was hard? Well, this is like building an Ikea dresser blindfolded while deciphering hieroglyphs. Visas, permits, and bank accounts,oh my! Don’t be afraid to ask for help or to practice your best “I’ve totally got this” smile when filling out forms. Also, photocopy everything. No, seriously. Photocopy it twice. Bonus points if you laminate your life savings – and keep copies on your phone.

4. Farewell Parties: The Ugly Cry Finale

Ah, the bittersweet goodbye party. Expect tears, hugs, and at least one friend drunkenly serenading you with “I Will Always Love You” or something equally cheesy. Swiftly followed with – ‘why are you leaving us?’, shrug off that bucket of guilt that will be poured over you. Bonus points if your Mum tries to slip five pairs of socks into your suitcase as a farewell gift.

5. The Airport Scene

You’ve arrived at the airport—hooray! Now’s the time for the emotional montage: dragging your overweight suitcase, saying goodbye through teary eyes, and Googling, “Is it normal to feel like I’m making the worst decision ever?” Fear not, my brave nomad. Everyone feels this way. Except maybe Beyoncé. But you’re not Beyoncé, and that’s okay.

6. Arrival: Culture Shock and Awe

Stepping into your new country feels like the first day of school, except everyone else has
already read the rulebook. Your first week will include:

– Eating something you can’t pronounce (and loving it).
– Eating something you can’t pronounce and instantly regretting it.
– Accidentally offending a local with your overenthusiastic hand gestures.
– Getting lost approximately seven times a day.

Keep a sense of humour, and don’t be afraid to laugh at your mishaps. Remember: at least you didn’t try to pay for groceries with Monopoly money. (Or did you?)

7. Making Friends: Awkward but Necessary

Making friends as an adult is like parallel parking: awkward, slow, and sometimes embarrassing. Start small. Join local clubs, chat with your neighbours, or perfect your “awkward smile until someone talks to you” technique.

Pro Tip: Learn a few local phrases. Saying “hello” and “thank you” in the native language goes a long way. Bonus points if you can ask for directions to the nearest coffee shop.

8. The Honeymoon Period

At some point, you’ll hit the honeymoon phase: everything feels exciting, new, and Instagram-worthy. Savour it. Take cheesy tourist photos, indulge in the local cuisine, and lean into the adventure. But remember: it’s totally fine to miss home sometimes. Missing your favourite biscuits or your dog’s adorable snore doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human.

9. Embracing the Struggle

After the honeymoon phase comes the “What have I done?!” phase. You might feel lonely, homesick, or completely out of your depth. Embrace the chaos. Growth happens outside your comfort zone (and sometimes with tears and a pint of ice cream).

Pro Tip: Create a “comfort kit.” This could include:
-Photos of loved ones.
-A favourite snack from home.
-A playlist of uplifting tunes.

When in doubt, dance it out.

10. Finding Your Groove

One day, without realizing it, you’ll wake up and think, “I can do this.” Your once-terrifying new life will start to feel like home. You’ll figure out the quirks of the public transport system, master local slang, and maybe even have a favourite café where the barista knows your order. You’ve got this.

11. The Grand Reflection

Moving countries is messy, magical, and everything in between. It will test your patience, resilience, and sense of direction. But it will also reward you with unforgettable experiences, new friends, and the knowledge that you are braver than you ever imagined. So here’s to you, fearless explorer. May your suitcases always close, your visas always clear, and your sense of adventure never fade. And if all else fails, there’s always Marmite. How’s that for a funny and heartfelt blog? Moving countries may be daunting, but I hope this piece captures the blend of chaos, courage, and comedy that makes the experience worthwhile. What do you think, ready to turn this into your personal bestseller?