Asalamualaykum, Ustadh do you have any advice regarding marrying outside of the country and how to find the reputation/character of the family? I was very hesitant to marry externally because I have no clue how I would ask about the character of a women in a country I have no connections in.

Ask about the religion and the manners through people who actually know her and sit with her, and make the questions specific rather than general, because a general good word tells you nothing. If you have no connections in that country, appoint someone trustworthy there to ask on your behalf, and do not forget istikharah.