The Real Truth About Dating Abroad: What No One Tells You

When most people think about moving abroad, they imagine the travel, the food, the lifestyle… but something we don’t talk about enough is your romantic life. Dating abroad is often exciting, complicated, eye-opening, and sometimes completely overwhelming. It pushes you into new versions of yourself, new expectations, and new emotional territory no one warns you about.

In this post, we’ll break down what dating abroad actually looks like — the realities, the challenges, the surprises, and the growth that comes with reinventing your love life in a new country.

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The Emotional Reset: Why Dating Abroad Feels Different

When you move abroad, you don’t just change locations. You change dating cultures. Everything from who pays on a date, to whether it’s okay to date multiple people at once, to what “commitment” means can shift.

You may find that you feel like a new version of yourself abroad — more confident, more open, more cautious, or even more insecure. The environment, language, and cultural norms affect how you show up in relationships.

And sometimes, dating abroad can feel refreshing, like a chance to start over. But it can also feel destabilizing, especially while you’re still getting used to life abroad in general!

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Being Single Abroad: Freedom vs. Loneliness

Being single in a new country brings a level of freedom you may not have experienced before. No one knows you, your history, or your patterns. You get to rewrite how you show up and who you choose.

And although the “European romance fantasy” is everywhere online, the reality is mixed. Some moments are genuinely romantic. Others are awkward, confusing, or disappointing.

Being single abroad can be empowering — and, at the same time, it can be isolating. It’s normal to feel both. I’d suggest going into dating abroad with an open mind in general and just realise that there might be some cultural differences in dating life abroad. But that’s okay! Treat it as an adventure and a learning experience.

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Long-Distance Love: Does It Work?

Sometimes people move abroad with a partner back home, or meet someone during travel and try to maintain the connection from afar. Long-distance relationships can work, but they require more structure and communication – lots of communication!

Time zones add emotional fatigue. Small miscommunications feel bigger. But ultimitely, long distance reatlionships can absolutely work as long as both people have the same end goal in mind (as in where you will both end up and when).

Long-distance works best when both people have shared goals, timelines, and clarity around the future. And sometimes, letting go is healthier than trying to maintain something that no longer fits your life.

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Falling in Love Abroad: The Beautiful and the Brutal

When I first moved abroad, I was worried about falling in love only to break up because where we both wanted to live long term wouldn’t align. Looking back, I would advise myself to relax a bit. I wish I would have been more open and took it one step at a time. So if that’s you, worrying about falling in love abroad, maybe consider being open to romantic possibilities.

But there is absolutely a brutal side of dating abroad. Cultural differences can matter more than you think. Family expectations, communication styles, definitions of commitment, and long-term plans can look very different between partners.

Then there’s the practical side: visas, temporary living situations, and decisions about where to build a life. These pressures can either strengthen a relationship or create tension. I’d say it’s more often the latter. But does it mean pursuing love isn’t worth the risk? You’ll have to ask yourself that question, but I’d say that it is worth the risk.

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Heartbreak Abroad: Why It Hits Harder

Breakups abroad often feel different because the support system you’re used to isn’t there. You may not have close friends nearby. You might be far from family. The emotional impact can feel sharper because your environment is unfamiliar.

A breakup abroad can lead to questions like: Do I stay? Do I leave? What does starting over look like in this country?

Even though heartbreak abroad is difficult, many people look back on it as a major turning point in their expat experience — a moment that accelerated their independence and growth.

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Dating Yourself Abroad: Identity, Growth, and Belonging

Living abroad changes how you see yourself. What you’re attracted to, what you tolerate, and what you value often shifts in new environments.

Many people discover that their “type” changes abroad. Others realize what they actually want in a partner more clearly. Maybe it’s something you were used to back in your home country, but maybe it’s something completely different.

Spending time alone abroad can also bring clarity. And I’d definitely recommend “dating yourself”. Your friends are busy or you haven’t made friends yet, go explore on your own! It’s a great chance to get to know your new country better, explore and grow.

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Final Thoughts

Dating abroad isn’t a fairy tale — but it can absolutely be a great experience. It stretches you, challenges you, surprises you, and teaches you more about yourself than you might expect. Whether you’re single, navigating long-distance, exploring new relationships, or healing from heartbreak, the experience shapes your expat life in meaningful ways.

If you’re wondering which country might be the best fit for your lifestyle — including dating, community, and day-to-day comfort — take the free quiz: https://jordangiberson.com/quiz

Dealing with guilt around your dream of moving abroad? Episode 96 breaks down why it shows up and how to work through it. Episode 96: Feeling Guilty About Moving Abroad — Why It Happens and How to Overcome It.