There are few better ways to spend your time than heading off on vacation and traveling the world. You get to see amazing new sights, learn about a new culture, and try experiences you’d never have to chance to back home. Unfortunately, the one or two weeks you spend on these vacations is rarely enough time for you to get the most out of the place you’re visiting, which is why many avid travelers make the decision to pack up their lives and move abroad. The expat life can be fun and exciting, but getting started is a lot of stress. To help you through it and ensure success, here are ten essential tips you need to know.
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Start Saving Up Early
The moment you start to seriously consider moving abroad, you need to start saving up. Although there are ways to make your move cheaper, there’s no escaping the fact that the process is going to cost you a fair bit, so it’s crucial that you give yourself enough time to financially prepare. Make sure that you research the cost of living for your chosen destination and create a budget for all of your expenses, including flights, shipping, and housing. Ensure you put this money in a separate account, so you’re not tempted to spend it on things you don’t need.
Make Sure You Visit
Once you’ve settled on a potential destination, you should start making arrangements to go and visit the country, especially if you’ve never been before. Although it is possible to move abroad without seeing the destination, as many other expats have done this, it makes sense to go for at least a few days. This way, you can experience the sights, sounds, smells, culture, and language, and get a sense of what life would be like when you moved there. This way, you’ll know whether or not this is a place you really want to move to.
Do Plenty Of Research
As I’ve already said, there’s only so much you can see and do in a short trip, which is why you also need to take the time to do plenty of research. This might mean reading Paris travel blogs and guidebooks, looking up Sengkang facts, listening to expat podcast, or whatever else you feel you need to do. Just make sure you have plenty of information on the climate, culture, language, food, laws, job market, education, and cost of living. If possible, you should also speak to some other expats living in your chosen country and ask for tips, advice, and knowledge from them.
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Learn The Local Language
You may not necessarily need to learn the language of your new country, but it is an invaluable skill and is one that will make the transition into expat life a whole lot easier, allowing you to gain some independence and bond with the locals. Even if you only learn a few basic phrases, it will help until you arrive at your destination and start to pick the language up properly. From language classes to learning apps, CDs, podcasts, and local television shows, there are a number of tools and resources you can use to make this process easier, so start as early as you can.
Sort Out The Paperwork
The paperwork involved in moving across town can get complicated at times, so it should be no surprise that moving abroad can get completely overwhelming. You’ll need to change your address with any number of companies, open a new bank account, apply for visas, book flights, and so much more. You’ll also need to make sure that your passport is valid for the date you fly and however long you’re going for. If you’re moving permanently or for the foreseeable future, then you may also need to apply for a new driving license.
Take Care Of Yourself
Moving halfway across the world can be a draining process, which is why you need to make sure that you take proper care of yourself, both physically and mentally. Make sure that you keep up with your regular exercise routine (or start one if you don’t have one already), eat three healthy and balanced meals a day, and do what you can to manage and reduce your stress. You should also visit the doctor as soon as you can and make sure that you get whatever vaccines you need for your chosen country. Make sure you also stock up on any important medication.
Build A Support Network
One of the hardest parts about moving abroad is that you have to leave most of your family and friends behind. It’s for this reason that you need to ensure you build a strong support network in your new home. Take the time to speak to and get to know your neighbors before you move in and make sure that you maintain these relationships when you arrive. If you’ve already found yourself a job, you can also speak to other colleagues in your department before you start work. This means you won’t be entirely alone, which will ease you into the unfamiliar surroundings.
Declutter Before You Pack
Once everything else is planned, prepared, and sorted out, you’ll need to get to work on your home. Although it’s tempting to take everything you own to your new home, this could prove to be challenging, expensive, and stressful. Because of this, you should try to find a furnished property and donate or sell the furniture you have now. You should also go through the rest of your belongings and get rid of any clutter you no longer want or need. This will make your arrival and the unpacking process a lot quicker and simpler.
Say A Proper Goodbye
When you jump on that plane and fly across the world, you have to say goodbye to a lot of people, including friends, family, neighbors, colleagues. If you were moving a few hours away, you’d be able to come back and visit regularly, but that isn’t so simple when you’re an expat. Because of this, it’s important that you say a proper goodbye to your loved ones by throwing a going away party. The run-up to your move is going to be chaotic and stressful, but it’s important that you see everyone you love together one last time.
Moving abroad and becoming an expat is fun and exciting, but it can also get pretty overwhelming. To make the transition easier, make sure you follow these essential tips.
