At Leading Out, we’re dedicated to making living abroad as easy as possible for you. We can help you get your visas, find home sweet home, and (of course) dream job placement. We can link you up with locals, and we’re always available for questions!
Still, in this digital era, we’re not the only hands that are ready to help. There are some great apps out there that can help smooth the way to success in your new life. Whether it’s keeping in touch with loved ones back home, learning a new language or scoring a couch, the apps of today are ready to help you do it all—for free.
Here are four of our favourite free apps to keep living abroad fun and breezy!
To pick up the language… Duolingo
Australia is primarily and English-speaking country, but it’s also conveniently close to places that are not, like China or Thailand. If you’re thinking another country where you’re not fluent in the language on your next holiday, Duolingo is the app for you! It’s designed to teach you language basics that will help get you by in only minutes per day.
You can do a few lessons relatively quickly in local transit, and build up your skills on your way to or from work. That’s right, learn Mandarin waiting for the tram. Game-ify your learning, pick up a new language, and feel like less of a tourist on your next vacay. Plus, who doesn’t want to put an extra language on their resume?!
To stay in touch… WhatsApp
We know it’s exciting to move away… BUT it’s also important to keep in touch with your people back home! (Also, to tell them how exciting everything is. This is 100% key in convincing them they need to pay you a visit!)
WhatsApp is the perfect app for this purpose. It uses WiFi to send messages across the world and back again, and can even do voice or video calls. For. FREE. (We don’t even use texting anymore, TBH.)
To book a vacay… Skyscanner
So you’ve nestled nicely in Oz and you’re wondering what you should do over summer holidays or winter break! Maybe you want to but your new language skills to the test by adventuring out to a new country. One of the best ways to search for inexpensive flights is with the Skyscanner app.
It will help you find the trip your looking for at a price you don’t totally hate. Woo! Time to get your travel on!
To find a new coffee table for cheap… Gumtree
Sure, your accommodations are sorted, but maybe you want to make it feel like home without spending big bucks. You need a new coffee table, or maybe you want to search for a used bicycle to get around.
Gumtree is basically Craigslist—so you can buy/sell just like you would elsewhere. Having it on your phone means having maps and convenient access as to whether or not you snagged that cool lamp for your living space instantly.
What are YOUR favourite free apps for living/working/travelling abroad? Shout them out in the comments section below!
