Online dating has truly changed the game. Gone are the days when you had to rely on chance or hookups from friends and family members to find that special someone. Today, all you need is a strong Wi-Fi connection, a killer profile, and time to find your perfect match.
One of the biggest things that online dating has changed is the geographical barriers to love. You are no longer limited to what is available in your small countryside town or that corner of the city your life is confined to.
You can expand your horizons not only to different cities and states but also to different countries and continents. This is what international dating is all about!
Below is all you need to know about dating someone from another country, according to Krystyna Trushyna, International dating and relationship expert at Doves-of-Love.com.
Interesting Reasons to Date Someone from Another Country
You might be asking yourself why you would go through the trouble of dating someone from a different country when there are so many eligible singles around you.
This is a valid question, and to answer it, below are five special perks of international online dating.
A wider dating pool
Local online dating services expose you to many new people. International online dating takes things to the next level as far as your dating pool is concerned. This is especially the case with general international dating sites that allow you to connect with singles from all over the world.
Exposure to new cultures
This perk is unique to international dating websites. By interacting with people from different regions, you will get exposed to different cultures and ways of life. This is a lot more exciting than working with what you are used to seeing, doing, and believing your whole life.
Travel opportunities for adventure bugs
Another great perk of international dating is that it gives you an excuse to travel. First, you get to travel “virtually” as you learn more about the new region from your match’s description.
Then, as things get more serious, you can travel to meet your potential match and have your very own fun travel guide to go on adventures with!
You’ll never be bored
If you like the thrill of relationships and effortlessly keeping things fresh and fun, you will love dating someone from another country!
First off, there is the accent that never stops being sexy, whether it is the sultry drawl of Latino dialects or the beauty and heaviness of Scandinavian accents.
It is also very difficult to run out of things to talk about with your foreign beau. This is mainly due to all the different cultures and life experiences that are so fun to explore.
You’ll learn so much
Whether you are dating someone from a different country on the same continent or from the other side of the world, you will inevitably experience some form of culture shock.
Once the wonder of new customs and norms wears out, the learning begins. Not only will you learn about your partner’s culture, but also about the current situation in their region. This is a great way to keep up to date with what is going on around the world while on your search for love.
If you partner speaks a different language, you will also learn a lot about the language as a way to cope and make things work.
The downsides of falling in love with someone from a different country
Although international dating offers a lot of excitement, it does have its downsides as well. If you don’t live in the same country as your date, your romantic experience may be different:
You might never get to meet
This is one of the saddest things about international online dating. If you do not have the means to travel to your match or vice versa, then you might never get to meet. This can be frustrating and a sad waste of time.
Long distance relationships are not easy
Finally, it is important to remember that long-distance dating isn’t easy. Put a whole ocean and a few continents between you and your match and see how much harder it gets.
However, if you are willing to be patient and use the wonders of technology to get to know each other before meeting, then it will all be worth it.
There some really great long distance relationship blogs you should visit before you start one.
You may have different expectations of love and life
In a cross cultural relationship , you will experience a shock and it is not just about what they eat or their unfamiliar customs. It is also in terms of dating norms. And the difference in understanding all matters of love is what puts most of the strain on the relationship.
Maybe they have different views in terms of how they treat women and what is expected of men. It could be differences in levels of conservativeness and what is acceptable during the dating period.
If you are not on the same page, you might not get very far in your international love story.
Miscommunications and fights will happen (a lot)
Falling in love with someone online from another country poses two main challenges. The first is the distance, which inevitably makes things harder. The second is cultural differences, which include the language barrier.
All these are the perfect ingredients for constant fighting, whether due to insecurity from the distance or even misunderstandings where meanings get lost in translation.
How to Date Someone From Another Country
Join an international dating site
Joining an international dating site is another way to start dating people from other countries.
International online dating is where you use online dating services to meet and interact with singles from all over the world. You can either use a region-specific international dating site or a general online dating service:
Region-specific international dating
With these services, you get access to single men and women from a specific area or country of the world. It could be a service dedicated to matching westerners with women from Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, or even Latin America.
General international dating
With general international online dating services, you get to meet people from all over the world.
Unlike the region-specific sites, you get to choose from different countries and cultures. This is ideal if you are interested in international dating but not willing to limit yourself to any region or culture.
You also have the freedom to match with local members if your search overseas isn’t successful.
3 Amazing international dating sites to try out to meet someone from another country
If after all is said and done, and you are still interested in international online dating, then below are 3 of the best international dating services out there.
They are all region-specific, which is perfect if you want to find someone from these parts of the world.
AmoLatina.com
AmoLatina.com allows you to meet and interact with hot Latinas from South American countries, including Brazil, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and more. If you are in the mood for some Latino flare in your love life, then this is the site for you. Check out what they say about AmoLatina.
ChinaLove.com
This site caters to the needs of Western singles interested in finding love with Chinese singles. It could be that you are an American-based Chinese single looking for love in your home country. Or maybe you are just interested in the region’s oriental culture and would like to date someone from here.
Whatever the case, this service has you covered and will hook you up with some of the most eligible singles the country has to offer.
ArabianDate.com
Arabian culture is interesting and very dynamic. Their drop-dead gorgeous exotic men and women are also worth getting excited over. If this is what you are looking for, then ArabianDate.com should be where you start your journey of international dating.
Beware of online dating scams
So far, you have learned all the wonderful things that international dating has to offer and a couple of hard truths as well.
Another thing you need to be aware of is that there are several risks when dating someone online (especially when dating a foreigner). Here’s a brief overview of the most common online dating scams.
Catfish scams
In this case, you might find yourself opening up and giving your heart to someone using a fake profile. This could be a very disappointing waste of time and emotions. However, all you have to do to stay safe is to insist on video chats to confirm their identity.
Credit card scams
This happens with both local and international online dating, so it’s important to never, under any circumstances, disclose sensitive financial information to people you meet on these sites.
Pretty much any other type of online scam
These include green card scams and a variety of other money-centered scams. It is always important to protect yourself even as you open up to the possibility of finding love abroad. One very well-known online scam is the Colombian dating scam!
Getting together in real life after meeting online
No matter the distance between you or if you live in separate countries, it is always best to plan for a real-life meeting as soon as possible after meeting online. This is one of the most important steps towards moving things to a new and more solid level. Long distance relationships can only last a certain time.
Here are a few tips that should come in handy.
Listen to your gut
It is important that you meet your love interest in real life as soon as possible. However, if your gut is telling you to take a little more time to get to know them, then listen. Sometimes, things may be too good to be true, and you know it subconsciously.
Let someone else known your plans
Traveling to a different country is always dangerous, no matter how risky or safe the place is. So, it doesn’t hurt to have someone back home know where you are going and how long you plan to stay. It could be a relative or a close friend.
Regular check-ins are also important here, so they know as soon as anything goes wrong. It might seem extreme, but you can never be too safe.
Do your research on the new country
We’re not just talking about regular old research on things like the different culture and sightseeing hotspots. You need to know things like the address of your embassy or consulate as well as specific travel requirements.
Have an emergency exit plan in motion
Finally, be sure to have an emergency plan ready if anything goes wrong, whether it is with your partner or with the trip itself.
In addition to identifying embassy locations, make sure you know of places where you could stay should you and your foreign partner fall out. You should also get an emergency contact on the go and have the information accessible when you need it.
In conclusion, should you date someone from another country?
There is no denying the fact that international dating has a lot to offer. It doesn’t matter whether you are looking for something fun and casual or something more serious and long-term. However, it also has its fair share of pitfalls.
So, should you try it?
The answer is yes!
It is a great opportunity to meet new people and to know about other countries without ever having to leave home. All you have to do is be cautiously optimistic and open to the many possibilities out there, and you should be good to go.