Moving abroad requires careful preparation. The more time and effort you put into planning, the smoother the move will be. Regardless of the reason for your move (whether it’s for study, work, or simply a change in your life), following the tips below will help you avoid many of the problems associated with adapting to a new place.
Sort out your accommodation in advance
- Sort out your accommodation in advance. You can’t do without a roof over your head. If you are going to live in a new place for a long time, it is better to find a house or apartment in advance.
- If your company provides you with housing, triple-check the proposed conditions; if something is wrong or the conditions do not suit you, discuss the issue with your manager or another person responsible for making decisions (this person may even be you). At the very least, your concerns should be taken into account, and ideally, the issue will be resolved and your peace of mind will not be disturbed.
- If you are responsible for paying for your accommodation, you should have funds available in case of unforeseen circumstances. Find out who is responsible for damages and/or maintenance of the property. Set aside additional funds for such expenses, as well as several months’ worth of rent in case your source of income is reduced.
Prepare all documents for crossing borders
- Prepare all documents for crossing borders. Different countries have different visa rules. It also depends on the country of entry. You can enter the country freely, but do you need a visa for permanent residence? Or do you need a visa even to simply leave the airport? Resolve all these issues in advance.
- Does your educational institution or employer provide you with a study or work permit? What are your time restrictions? Do you need to notify banks? What about obtaining licenses and paying taxes?
Find a job that involves communicating with people
- Find a job that involves interacting with people. This will help you get used to your new country and learn the language more quickly. The sooner this happens, the easier it will be for you in your new place. It is wise to find a job in your new country in advance; if this is not possible, then finding a job should be your top priority.
- You don’t have to get a job right away; you can start by studying. By studying or working, you will regularly interact with locals and improve your knowledge of the new language and culture.
Sell unnecessary items in advance to have some spare cash
Sell unnecessary items in advance to have some spare cash. Many people adopt a minimalist lifestyle, needing only clothes, a laptop, and a few personal items to live abroad. Your belongings should fit into one large suitcase plus hand luggage. The trick is that by doing without certain things for a certain period of time, you will be able to do without them after you return — you will simply learn to live without them. So why not sell some of your unnecessary belongings?
Study the material
You can never know too much. There is an article on Wikipedia for every country, as well as countless other encyclopedias, but that’s not enough. Study the culture! Do locals obey traffic lights or just follow them? Do they leave tips in cafes? What is the predominant religion in the country and how do they treat people of other faiths (for example, you, a traveler)?
- If possible, try to live in the country for a week before moving. This way, you can see everything with your own eyes and understand what to be prepared for.
- Find out the average cost of living in the country. Plan your budget in advance so that you can pay not only for accommodation and food, but also for additional needs.
- It is even more important to know the laws of the host country to avoid possible problems with the police and to ensure your own safety.
