8 Apps to Make Moving Abroad Easier
In my work in immigration law, I have gained much experience helping people move abroad. This prompted me to think about the different tools which are available to help immigrants acclimatize to life in their new homes. Relocating to another country can be tricky, fortunately there are many apps which have been specifically designed to help expats abroad. In this infographic guide, I round up some of my favorite language, networking, safety and navigation apps.
I have found that one way smartphone apps can help to ease your transition to life in a new country is by helping to build language skills. Your choice of app will depend very much on your skill level. For example, Duolingo is an excellent tool for beginners whereas more advanced speakers may want to try out Tandem. Both apps are free and offer an impressive range of languages.
I think that it’s also worth downloading an app to help you navigate your new home. While Google Maps is good enough for most, in my experience it is best to supplement this with an app that offers more information about public transport (e.g. Moovit) or that contains more local knowledge (Waze). However, you will need to bear in mind that the quality and quantity of information available on the app will be very much dependent on your location.
If you are unsure about safety in your new home, there are a few apps which I believe can prove to be very useful. One of my favorites isTripWhistle Global SOS – an app which gives users quick and easy access to emergency numbers in over 196 countries.
