Moving abroad can be an exciting and enriching experience that forces you to adapt to things that are unfamiliar and unusual to you. It encourages you to step out of your comfort zone, try new things, and face unique challenges that you’ve never had to deal with before.
However, when deciding to move, it can be incredibly beneficial if first you slow down and take time to prepare yourself for the sometimes harsh reality check that might be waiting at your destination.
Moving to another country comes with plenty of paperwork, such as applying for a visa or getting a work permit, as well as more existential planning, involving mental preparation. With both in mind, if you plan on moving abroad soon, here are 7 preparatory tips to help things go seamlessly.
You Should Shed A Little Baggage Before Packing Yours
The thing about moving abroad is that in most cases, you won’t be able to fit everything you have into your luggage, and shipping boxes upon boxes of stuff can end up costing some serious money.
Therefore, it might be a good idea to get rid of stuff you don’t need anymore. First, you can start to sort your stuff by making piles of stuff that you want to keep and take with you, things that you want to sell or donate, depending on their condition and values, and finally, a pile of things that should end up in the trash.
Do you really want to take clothes you haven’t worn for years to your new location? Probably not. It’s time for a huge clear out. There is something therapeutic and frankly, quite thrilling about chucking away unwanted items and being really ruthless about it. Only take what you absolutely need to take – embrace baggage allowances where you’d usually curse them. Ask yourself, can I sell some stuff to make a little extra cash? Is there a relative that can take care of my things?
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In general, it’s best to travel light and keep in mind that integrating is a huge part of moving abroad. This means that there’s no point in wasting space in your luggage for ten pairs of generic jeans or heaps of bath products because these are the things you can gradually accumulate at your destination.
Read: 5 of the most liveable cities in Southeast Asia for expats
Get Your Documents In Order
One of the biggest challenges of moving abroad is dealing with immigration documents. In most cases, immigration authorities will require lots of paperwork and proof that you are legally allowed to move to their country.
To travel internationally, you will need a passport, but if you wish to both live and work abroad, you will also need to apply for a visa. Depending upon your plans, you can apply for a short-stay visa, a long-stay visa, or a residence visa, but keep in mind that it can take a while to complete all the paperwork. All obvious, stuff, we realise, but equally, preparatory measures you don’t want to forget.
On top of that, once you obtain a visa and manage to move, you will need a work permit, which will give you the opportunity to find employment abroad, but this document can be difficult to obtain in some countries.
Therefore, before leaving your home country, it might be a good idea to keep track and make both hard and digital copies of any important documents such as bank statements, tax returns, birth certificates, social security cards, driver’s licenses and other identification papers.
Other important documents that you shouldn’t leave behind include your identification card, passport, copies of any insurance you might have and medical cards. These documents vary from country to country, and even state to state, but are vitally important if you’re to settle in properly in a legitimate way.
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Work & Money
Should you have a job at your new chosen desintaiton already secured, then move on to the next header. But if you’re not moving specifically for a new role you’ve landed, then you have two options; find a job once you arrive in your new city, or work remotely.
Fortunately, there are loads of jobs you can do while travelling or transient, which could keep you going as you settle in somewhere new. These include teaching English as a foreign language, working as a translator or interpreter, or even embarking on a career as a flight attendant. What’s more, with remote working now enforced in many countries globally, now seems like the ideal time to continue with your current job, ‘working from home’, but that home is somewhere abroad. Perfect!
If you’re interested in how to save money whilst working remotely, do check out our 5 IDEAL tips for managing your finances as a digital nomad for more.
Establish A Financial Safety Net
Before you embark on your international adventure, it’s crucial to have a financial safety net in place. This means saving enough money to cover unexpected expenses during your move and the initial period of your settlement – everything from car transportation and sending your items abroad to your initial deposit on an apartment is going to hammer your finances early doors, so be prepared.
Consider the cost of living in your new country and aim to have at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses saved up. Additionally, inform your bank of your move to avoid any issues with your credit or debit cards when you arrive, and research the best way to transfer money internationally to avoid high fees. Adopting a stance of proactive financially literacy is essential to a seamless settling in abroad.
Health & Insurance Matters
Moving abroad means you’ll need to understand the healthcare system of your new country. Research whether you’ll need international health insurance or if you can qualify for local health care once you arrive. Make sure to have a comprehensive health check-up before leaving and carry a copy of your medical records with you. If you have any prescriptions, find out how they can be filled in your new home country and what the equivalent medications are called.
Read: Here are 5 tips for Brits moving to Lisbon
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Cultural Immersion & Networking
To truly embrace your new life abroad, start immersing yourself in the culture even before you leave. Follow news outlets and social media groups related to your destination to get a feel for current events and societal norms.
Once you arrive, make an effort to participate in local festivals and events, which can be great opportunities to understand the culture and meet new people. Networking is also key to settling in; reach out to expat communities, professional networks, and local interest groups that align with your hobbies or career.
You Should Prepare Yourself Mentally
One of the biggest challenges of moving abroad is dealing with culture shock. This means adapting yourself to new ways of thinking and interacting with people while also dealing with new challenges like learning the local language or understanding cultural references that aren’t familiar to outsiders. You should prepare yourself mentally for dealing with culture shock before making a move.
Take some time to learn about the history and culture of the country where you plan on moving abroad while also researching basic phrases in the local language so you can communicate with locals when arriving in your new place. Doing this will help ensure that when moving abroad, everything doesn’t seem completely foreign and confusing to you. The more knowledge you have, the better.
There are a few different ways you can settle into your new location and meet people, regardless of which country you’ve chosen to live in. Joining a gym or sports club, taking language classes, or attending community events will help you find people with common interests.
Alternatively, as is the case with so much in the modern world, there’s an app which can help; meetup.com is similar to a platonic Tinder, and can help you connect with like-minded individuals in your new city. Bumble BFF serves a similar function, and the community based, neighbourhood platform Next Door can also earn you introductions to people close to you.
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Read: How expats can feel more at home in a new country
The Bottom Line
Moving abroad can be an exciting experience that pushes you to get out of your comfort zone and force you to adapt to new circumstances. To make this endeavour easier for yourself, consider starting your preparations as early as possible.
Tasks such as getting rid of unnecessary stuff, getting your documents in order, or even preparing yourself mentally for the big chance can prove to be a real challenge. However, if you tackle them one by one, you’ll minimize the risk of getting caught up in the stress caused by mixed emotions such as excitement and fear of the unknown, which often accompany big moves. Don’t worry – you’ve got this!