From the outside looking in, living abroad can look like a vacation, but most expats know that isn’t really the case. Living and working in a foreign country can be incredibly enriching in a number of ways, but it also will be a daily routine where you’re focused on doing your job and paying your bills. So how do you get the most out of living abroad? Research from Northwestern University suggests people living abroad have a much stronger sense of identity and are better at creative thinking because they immerse themselves in a new culture and set of customs. If you take vacations while you’re living out of the country, you get the chance to do this again and again, often in a more affordable and accessible way than you could from the United States. So don’t feel like you’re indulging by planning fun and relaxing trips while you’re already living in an exotic locale. What you’re really doing is making the most of your experience.

1. Research Your Travel Options

The United States is a massive country, and it would take many people days to drive to the border. But smaller countries are much different, and you could easily be living somewhere in easy reach of multiple countries, all with different cultures, histories, and things to do. Consider Europe, where an affordable Eurail pass can take you through 5 different countries of your choosing quickly and easily. Many of the mainland countries in Europe are 30 minutes or less from each other by plane, as well. Train journeys are also popular in South America, India, and even Australia, where you can literally travel coast to coast by rail. Whether you ride the railway, take a short plane ride, or even plan a road trip, consider how much cheaper it would be than it is in the U.S. and make the journey part of your vacation.

2. Looking for a Change of Pace

So you know there are plenty of options for how to get somewhere, but how do you decide where to go? The simplest plan is to look for an experience vastly different than the one you’re having now. That might not always be feasible, but consider some of the popular vacation spots of the locals. UK residents in gray London are always ready to vacation on MagicMaldives beaches. But people who live in Greece might enjoy an igloo hotel in Finland. To get the most out of traveling, you want to go somewhere that’s completely new to you, even if that’s just one country or province over. That doesn’t mean you have to opt for stress, though. Everyone looks for different things in a vacation, and if your aim is to unwind and relax, you should spend your money on a resort or bed and breakfast instead of backpacking around to hostels in developing nations. You can get just as much out of either kind of travel.

3. Make Sure You’ve Done the Homework

If you’re going from one country to another, understand the different visa requirements and whether you need extra clearance. You should keep copies of your passport and all relevant documents in a safe place and know the number for the nearest embassy at all times. If you’re getting overseas health care coverage, speak to them about whether you need additional travel insurance and how to best protect yourself against illness and injury, especially if you’re crossing multiple borders. Always let someone know where you’re going, for how long, and who to contact in case of an emergency. Plan to be away the same way you would in the United States, by not letting your mail pile up or leaving your home vulnerable to burglary. If anything, living abroad means you need to take even more precautions when you’re away.

4. Enjoy the Experience

Vacationing while living abroad isn’t really that different from vacationing while living in your home country except that so many more locations are so easily accessible. You still need to have enough cash on you to afford the unexpected and make sure you pack light so you’re not hauling huge bags on trains, planes, and buses. Plan for a few key things you want to do and see, but don’t over plan everything. As an expat, you’re probably experienced in getting the most out of unfamiliar locations through discovery – finding your own favorite spots and meeting the locals. Feel confident that you can do that anywhere and that the more cities and countries you feel at home in, the better-rounded, creative, and compassionate you will become.

When you’re living abroad, vacations are more than just vacations. They’re a chance to take advantage of an already exciting, privileged experience by getting out into the world and trying something new. If your life in another country doesn’t last forever, you want to be able to go home with the knowledge that you made the most of it, which means learning and growing, but also having fun.

Author: Karen Boyarsky is a blogger who writes for a travel site that features exotic locations. Perhaps a Maldives Holiday would be something you’d like to take this year. Check out Maldives Holidays.org for information on a relaxing, tropical destination. You can follow Karen on Twitter @boyarskykareni