5 Tech Tools, Apps and Online Communities for Overwhelmed Expats

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⯀ The life of an expat isn't easy.

Between feeling like a total stranger in a new country to the need to wrangle your finances, there's plenty that can stress you out on a day-to-day basis.

The good news? Modern technology can work wonders when it comes to relieving some of that stress.

Just as the rest of the world relies on their smartphones and gadgets to stay connected, expats looking to stay sane in their hustle-and-bustle lives are no different. Below we've broken down a list of some essential apps, tools and communities that today's expats depend on to better their lives. As an added bonus, the bulk of these apps are totally free and can be used almost universally.

Managing Your Money

Especially if you're responsible for sending money back home to your family, money management is an absolute top priority. Even if you consider yourself to be relatively frugal, it's crucial to both make sense of your newfound currency and uncover smart ways to save.

Luckily, there are apps for that.

For example, those in the United States can take advantage of budgeting apps like Mint which break down what you're spending, round out your savings and essentially ensure there are no surprises on your bank statements. Meanwhile, there are services out there that likewise allow you to save money on remittance payments which ensures that your hard work abroad stretches further.

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Breaking the Language Barrier

There's no denying that the language barrier is one of the biggest hurdles facing any given immigrant.

Being proactive about learning or improving at a new language is a smart first step, and apps such as Duolingo are total lifesavers for those looking to pick up a new tongue quickly. Gamifying the language-learning experience, much of the app's 25 million active users are indeed immigrants looking for a quick way to improve their language skills.

Staying in Touch Around the Clock

Smartphones are a miracle for immigrants looking to better keep in touch with their families. In order to avoid pesky cell phone fees, apps like Skype offer an opportunity for phone calls around the clock that won't totally break the bank. In addition to its call features, the app does double-duty as it also allows users to chat with one-another akin to any other social messaging app.

More Personal Communication

Speaking of social, there's now denying how social media can also be instrumental for families abroad looking to stay connected.

For example, there are the FaceTime-esque features within Facebook and WhatsApp that allow for real-time video calls that are once again free. Even if you don't consider yourself much of a social butterfly, frequent Tweets, photo uploads to Instagram and statuses on Facebook can serve as your lifeline to your family back home.

Social Communities for Support

Lastly, don't neglect the importance of connecting with other expats. Whether you're looking to ask questions to fellow expats, share your struggles or make friends in your new country, there are tons of expat-specific communities out there for you. Meet-ups through Facebook Groups and the likes of Reddit are common: you might be shocked at just how many others out there are in your exact situation.


Missing your family? Struggling to adapt to your new culture? Looking to keep more money in your pocket? Regardless of where your native land might be, these apps can help.

By  33rd Square