Moving out of your country is a lifelong adventure. And, like all good adventures, at first it seems like you’ve risked far more than you can handle. These tips will help you deal with the big and complicated challenges of moving to another country. We will also explain what you need to know to develop your life in the destination.
8 TIPS THAT WILL HELP YOU WHEN MOVING TO ANOTHER COUNTRY
Whether for work or studies, for a certain period of time or permanently, moving to another country is a big decision and a complicated step to take. It’s hard to know where to start, which is why we’ve created this list of tips to help prepare you with everything you need to know before moving abroad.
Especially if you are considering relocating to another country for work reasons, this process can be a great opportunity for your career and to take advantage of it, you must first take into account the move, the new culture and perhaps a different language. For this, we share the steps to follow to be ready in terms of documentation, packaging and more practical advice.
1) Prepare yourself mentally (every beginning is difficult):
Of course, a moving to another country can be complicated and stressful, but that does not mean that it is not worth it. Moving abroad can cause big changes in your lifestyle and it is important to make this decision thinking about the weather, language, cultural differences and even work ethics. That is why it is recommended to make a temporary trip before you move, to get to know the place better and recognize the possible changes that could affect your family or your personal interests.
Being this a significant step, it is better to start organizing and planning in advance, doing small tasks or pending in free time so that when the day of the move approaches, you are not so pressured.
2) New language and customs:
When deciding to move to another country, one of the most difficult transitions can be adjusting to the new language and customs. At the beginning it can be very useful to learn certain phrases to communicate the basics, for that you can carry a translation book or install an application; however, it will be essential to learn the language fluently, whether for work-related issues, from reading documents to writing important procedures, as well as for social issues.
Likewise, you can investigate the habits and traditions of the country in question, such as festivities, food or how its population handles business and commercial relations, this with the aim of preparing yourself and approaching the community that surrounds you.
3) Procedures and documentation:
Before moving abroad, especially if the country speaks a different language than yours, it is important to find online guides in your language that can explain the legal procedures that you will have to carry out when you arrive. Many countries require specific documents and procedures, depending on the purpose of your transfer, be it work, to study or another reason.
These are some of the aspects that you should take into account:
- Passport and Visa: Make sure that your passport and visa are valid for the time you plan to stay plus another 6 extra months. If the country you plan to move to requires a visa, put it as a priority, as this process can take time. You can consult the website of the embassy of the country in question to find out how to obtain and how long this process takes. If you move for work and your company hires a good moving or relocation company, they will be able to provide you with all the information you need. A special permit or visa is usually required to work legally, and some more developed countries have a system consisting of points to improve your chances of wanting to settle permanently.
- Cards: There will be a number of cards that identify you that will not be necessary in the new country, you can collect them and save them for when you need to return.
- Degrees: If it is for work reasons, consider that they could ask you for your professional degree translated into some language, if so, prepare it in advance and investigate how to manage it at the university.
- Important documents: You can have important but not essential documents such as a contract or Social Security Information and, if you need them, it would not hurt to have them at hand. You can take them with you or even file them and leave them with a close relative, so that someone needs to ask for the information.
Procedures to cancel:
- Direct debits: If you have charges or credits to an existing account, such as membership charges or magazine subscriptions, we recommend canceling them in advance.
- Telephone, water and electricity: Find out how much time you have to unsubscribe from these services without penalty, especially telephone companies.
- Housing rental: If you rent the space where you currently live, consult your contract to determine how much time in advance you must inform the landlord.
- Rent or sell your property: You will have to make a decision about your current property depending on whether your accommodation abroad is temporary or permanent. Renting your old home has the advantage of having additional income, and managing it with tenants can be through someone close to you or a real estate agency.
4) Health:
Take into account that to enter some countries it will be necessary to be vaccinated in advance. You can find out which vaccines are recommended for each country, or if you cannot find reliable information online, consult it directly at your health center. A useful tool for this can be the World Health Organization page that shares with us the list of vaccination requirements and recommendations for international travelers. Consider it important to take out medical insurance that covers your entire stay and any need you require and remember to stay informed about the country’s health system.
5) Money:
Before moving abroad, exchange the cash you consider sufficient for the currency of the country you are going to. Some types of currency may take time, make sure you request it in time. For the first few days you can investigate if your credit or debit cards are used to withdraw money abroad and what the daily limit would be. Also, check what cards you would need to take with you or, if they have a constant cost, decide to cancel them before leaving.
Later you could open a bank account and thus be able to transfer money from another country; for this there are some tools such as Transferwise or any other that seems useful to you.
6) Anticipate and prepare (basic issues):
- Plugs: If the outlet is different, you can buy a universal adapter to use for the first few days and thus charge your cell phone or computer without problems.
- Cell phone: Currently, for everything we do, a phone and the internet are necessary, either to communicate or to go to a place you do not know. Anticipate and investigate phone companies and a data plan that you could choose when you arrive at your destination.
- Accommodation: If accommodation abroad depends on you, it will be one of the first tasks you will have to do when you arrive in the new country. To reduce stress, most people anticipate by opting for a hotel or a temporary rental to later move to a permanent home. It is not recommended to decide from a distance where you will live due to possible fraud and this way you will be able to be present to observe the spaces, being calmer to visit and find the right home that suits your needs and tastes.
7) When it’s time to pack:
- Box packing: Start by collecting cardboard boxes of different sizes to store all the objects that you will take and also those that you will leave. You can start filling the boxes with what you use the least so that you use it regularly and it is at your disposal until the last moment, such as kitchen utensils, towels or sheets. Remember to distribute the weight well between the boxes, label them properly to easily recognize their content, and separate the essential things that you will carry in your suitcase.
- Luggage and suitcases: In the suitcases that will travel with you, you can pack the essentials, such as the necessary clothing, shoes, and some personal hygiene products. Take into account that when you arrive you can buy anything, so you can leave many belongings because of the weight and space they occupy, for example, a bottle of shampoo. The number of suitcases you need to take with you will depend on the airline, if you need to travel by plane, so you can investigate how many suitcases or backpacks you are allowed to check in, the measurements and the maximum weight to plan how to pack. As a tip, try to distribute the contents of your luggage putting some of the basics, clothes, electronic devices or valuables among all the suitcases and even your carry-on bag, in case some luggage goes missing.
- Shipping boxes: This option to transport your belongings can be or very cheap or very expensive, depending on the country. What you can do is consult the prices of some companies that ship boxes and leave them in order with someone so that they can be sent once you are installed in your new home.
8) The social aspect and meeting new people
Deciding to settle in another country involves some sacrifices, such as contact with loved ones or your social circle. Creating social relationships and new friendships can make your experience not only more enjoyable, but easier, as they can advise you and tell you about their experience in navigating this unknown place. One option is to use social networks, such as Facebook groups for people of your nationality, where you can go to answer questions or ask for help.
Also, it is a good idea to create a network of contacts within your future job position. You can investigate if there are regular events organized by the company, if there are known people already installed in the country, or if there is a community of foreigners in the area.
It may take time to build a new social circle, but meeting new and different people will always help you grow and enjoy this adventure.
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Where there is a will, there is a way.