Relocation is always more than a change of address. A new country reshapes daily rhythm, time structure, and the sense of control over the future. That is why the first year after immigration almost always becomes a pause in one’s career — even for highly experienced professionals.
In this episode, Elena Bykovets, CEO and founder of RelyOn Relocation®, and Tatiana Mazhutis — slash-career coach and co-founder of LinkedInBesties — discuss what truly happens to professional life in the first months after moving and why expectations often do not match reality.
Elena: We said this podcast would be useful for those who have recently moved, who have been living in a new country for one or two years. It will also be helpful for young mothers who had a period when they didn’t work and are now returning but don’t really understand what they want to do after a break. The world is changing so quickly now. I understand that what we were doing a year ago and what we’ll be doing in a year are completely different things. It’s also for those who feel uncertainty in their profession and want to understand how to move forward, earn more, or start earning steadily.
Tatyana: Yes, we’ll discuss these topics and try to explore them fully.
Elena: So I’ll start with my first question. The first year after moving — adaptation and career. From the perspective of a relocation company founder, I’ll definitely add our clients’ experiences and some practical insights later. But my first question is for you. What actually happens in the first months after moving, and why do expectations so often not match reality?
Tatyana: Alright, let’s start from the beginning. What happens at first? And please jump in and add things as we go — let’s keep it a real dialogue.
Elena: I definitely have something to say, especially given my personal experience — I’ve lived in four countries.
Tatyana: During the first year, most of our energy goes into everyday life: setting things up, finding housing, solving small daily tasks. If there are children — schools, kindergartens, activities, more activities, more childcare. The list is endless. In Portugal, there are also documents, visas, insurance, health insurance, figuring out how to go to the hospital — and generally understanding how everything works. In the previous country, everything was familiar; here everything is new. So there are endless surprises — from basic grocery stores and unfamiliar products to transportation and local rules, like raising your hand when crossing the street so drivers see you. It feels like a very Portuguese or American thing. Overall, the first year is a first contact with local services and the local population. And also with your own “bubble”. If someone is Russian-speaking, they usually connect with Russian-speaking communities first — chats, groups. Some immediately join English-speaking networking groups with expats from different countries. So a lot falls on women’s shoulders. And if there’s work on top of that, it’s extremely hard — like a second, third, even fifth shift. Often people don’t notice this — it feels like everything should just fall into place automatically. But it really takes time. I remember my Google Sheets to-do lists — they were incredibly long. And that was without children. With children, it would probably be three times more.
Elena: And here I want to add that relocation companies remove exactly this layer of work. Delegation becomes a key success factor. Adaptation cannot be stress-free — but it can be less stressful and less exhausting.
Tatyana: Absolutely. Small tasks seem too minor to delegate. But once you list them all, you realize how many there are — and that help is necessary.
Elena: So in your opinion, because everyday issues suddenly consume so much time and energy, does it make sense to postpone career decisions?
Tatyana: There’s no single correct answer. If you need money to live — you find work quickly. No options. But if you can keep working in your previous job, that’s great — it gives you time to adapt and observe the new market. See how people look for jobs, what niches exist. Maybe you can consult based on your expertise. For example, someone with strong HoReCa experience can help open cafés. There are many cafés opened by compatriots. If you know menu design — you can take projects. It’s important to look around and understand what’s happening.
Elena: I’d add this perspective: if a house assistant costs 8–12 euros per hour, and your working hour is worth 50 euros, it makes sense to delegate. When moving brings endless daily tasks but you can still work — ask yourself what to delegate. We help find domestic staff. Psychologists we’ve spoken with say even grocery shopping drains enormous mental energy.
In the next episode, the speakers will discuss why immigration does not reset a professional path but changes its logic — and how to adapt experience to a new market without feeling a loss of status.
If you are planning a move to Portugal and want a calmer, more structured adaptation process, begin with professional preparation.
We support relocation from planning to full settlement.
Book a consultation here.
