5 Common Myths About Dating Abroad (and What’s Actually True)

When you move abroad, people automatically assume your love life just became a Netflix movie.

“Ah, you’ll find one fine accent guy there.”

“Don’t forget us when you marry oyinbo o!”

They don’t tell you about loneliness.

They don’t tell you how dating feels like learning a whole new language, without the words.

Let’s break down the biggest myths about dating abroad that everyone keeps getting wrong 

Myth 1: “You’ll instantly find love abroad.”

Love abroad doesn’t work like a travel visa.

Take Amara, a Nigerian student who moved to the U.K. for her master’s. Everyone back home kept saying, “You’ll find someone sharp there.”

A year later, she realized, dating abroad means starting from scratch. New norms, new expectations, and often… new heartbreaks.

People date differently in different cultures. Some are more casual. Some avoid labels. Some just want “vibes.”

Love takes patience, no matter your accent or location.

Myth 2: “Foreign relationships are more romantic.”

They’re just as real, and sometimes more complicated.

Romance abroad looks pretty on Instagram, picnics, cute accents, road trips, but cultural differences can hit harder than jet lag.

Little things like “Why don’t you call your parents every day?” or “Why do you still live with your family?” can create emotional gaps that look small but feel huge.

The beauty lies in learning, love becomes less about perfection and more about understanding.

Myth 3: “Africans abroad only date outside their culture.”

Many Africans abroad crave familiarity.

They miss hearing pidgin mid-conversation. They want someone who understands that love isn’t just “I love you” but also “have you eaten?”

Platforms like Nova Matches were created for that reason, to help Nigerians and Africans abroad find love that still feels like home.

Because dating abroad doesn’t mean disconnecting from your culture. It means finding someone who respects it.

Myth 4: “Long-distance is easy when you both live abroad.”

Time zones are the new heartbreak.

Between schedules, distance, and emotional gaps, love abroad can test your patience. But it can also build your emotional intelligence.

The truth? Distance doesn’t kill love, inconsistency does.

When both people are intentional, it can work.

Myth 5: “Dating abroad will make you lose your identity.”

The right person won’t erase your roots, they’ll help you grow deeper in them.

Love abroad isn’t about replacing your culture. It’s about blending stories.

You can be a Nigerian woman in London or a Ghanaian man in Toronto and still stay connected to your traditions, food, and family values.

Because home isn’t just where you are, it’s who you share it with.

What This All Mean

Dating abroad isn’t a fairytale, it’s a journey.

One filled with growth, confusion, joy, and rediscovery.

If you’re Nigerian or African abroad, you don’t need to give up your roots for love.

You deserve someone who gets your culture, values, and rhythm.

That’s exactly why Nova Matches exists,

A space where love is intentional, cultural, and deeply authentic.

Join the waitlist before launch: www.novamatches.com

FAQs About Dating Abroad

1. Is it easy to find love abroad?

Not always. Many expats struggle to adjust to new dating norms, cultural expectations, and emotional communication styles. It takes patience, openness, and self-awareness.

2. Why is dating abroad so different?

Because relationships are influenced by culture, values, gender roles, love languages, and communication styles vary from country to country.

3. Do Africans abroad prefer dating people from their own culture?

Yes, many do. There’s comfort in shared values, food, humor, and traditions. That’s why culturally-rooted dating platforms like Nova Matches are rising.

4. What are the biggest challenges of dating abroad?

Cultural differences, time zones, visa-related stress, and emotional isolation are common struggles. But intentional communication makes it easier.

5. Can long-distance relationships work abroad?

Yes, if both people are emotionally available, communicate consistently, and set clear boundaries and goals.

6. How do I keep my cultural identity while dating someone from another background?

By being proud and vocal about your roots. Share your food, language, values, and traditions. The right partner will celebrate them with you.