7 Apps Every Expat Needs!

If you’re planning on relocating to a new country, you’ll need all the help you can get! This is especially the case if you’re moving to Canada! The country is an enormous cultural mosaic with much to offer. As someone who’s arriving in Canada for the first time, you won’t know what to do or where to go without proper help. Don’t worry; that’s what this article is all about!

We’ve made a list of 7 important apps to help you no matter where you are. So, let’s get into it!

Duolingo

The first challenge every expat faces in a new location is the language barrier. It’s very easy to find yourself in sticky situations if you don’t have the right words to convey what you want. And you’ll also need to brush up on your language skills if you’re planning on securing a job in a new country.

Enter: Duolingo! This popular language-learning app will help you pick up on a new language in a game-like fashion. So, you’ll be motivated to come back and learn new words and phrases every single day. Its interactive exercises are designed to help you improve your speaking, reading, and writing skills. Don’t forget to incorporate what you’ve learned into your daily conversations. This way, you’re bound to make huge progress!

Packing Pro

Are you terrible at remembering what to pack before leaving for a trip? It might not be as bad as leaving your eight-year-old child home alone in Illinois while you go off to Paris with the family. But if you often end up leaving your essentials behind, don’t worry; Packing Pro is up to the task! It’s an enhanced travel list mobile app where you can get a customizable packing list according to your destination. It also takes into account the people and furry friends you’ll be traveling with. So, if you’re horrible at packing but still love calling all the shots, this app is for you! Best of all; you’ll get loads of sample lists and even built-in expert assistance to make sure you’re all set for your trip anywhere in the world!

CityMaps2Go

You won’t have Wi-Fi or mobile data as soon as you land in a new country. You need to get everything set up in person. So, without Google Maps by your side at that time, you won’t know where to get started. And if you’re in a big city like New York or Toronto, it’s very easy to get lost. This is where you wish you had offline maps. Well, CityMaps2Go has heard your prayers! The app carries up-to-date, detailed maps with photos to guide you through a new city, completely offline! It also features the complete breakdown of bikeways, footpaths, and public transportation. Don’t worry about not finding your destination on the app. CityMaps2Go has 60,000 places in over 150 countries. So, wherever you are, this app will help you find your way around without the need for internet connectivity!

Headspace  

It’s important not to forget to take care of yourself in the hustle and bustle of moving to a new place! After all, your mental health comes first; everything else is secondary. Some people face a bit of a cultural shock when they move to a place with an entirely different atmosphere than what they’re used to. For others, it’s the sudden realization of being far away from your loved ones. In any case, you need to keep your mental health in check. And that’s precisely what the app Headspace is all about!

As one of the most well-known meditation apps around, Headspace features hundreds of meditations, relaxing music, and sleep sounds to help you ground yourself. It can ease your mind of stress, anxiety, homesickness, or any concerns weighing you down. Just a few minutes a day on this app are enough to keep you healthier and happier than yesterday!

Postagram

While we’re talking about missing your loved ones, we can’t go without mentioning Postagram! This app presents a rather creative way of keeping in touch with your loved ones. All you need to do is take a picture using your phone, upload it to the app, provide a personalized 140-character message to go with it, and add the destination address, and voila! Your loved ones will be pleasantly surprised when they receive a glossy postcard in their mail! Postagram can help you turn all your favorite photos into postcards with just a click of a button and 99 cents!

MeetUp

Going to a new place where you’re super out of your comfort zone can be daunting. It’s hard to approach people and make a connection when you don’t know the likes and dislikes of the other person. MeetUp is a fast-growing online social platform that lets you arrange meetups, events, and activities for people having the same interests. The platform has over 59 million members from all over the world. You could engage with locals of the same interests as you or find other expats to bond with over the cultural changes.

TripAdvisor

If you want to make the most out of your trip, you need to have TripAdvisor along for the ride. As one of the world’s largest travel apps, TripAdvisor helps over 400 million travelers every month plan and execute the trip of their lives! People from all regions of the world use this app for its detailed reviews and opinions on hotels, restaurants, airlines, and cruises. You can also book tours and reserve tables at some popular restaurants through the app.

If you’ve got these 7 apps in your arsenal, you’ll do great no matter where you are in the world! Speaking of traveling, do you fancy a hassle-free trip to Canada any time soon? Perhaps, Great North Visa can be of assistance to you. We house a team of highly experienced RCICs to help you make a smooth trip to one of the greatest countries in the world! Reach out to us today!