Moving abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that must be carefully considered. Before you immerse yourself in the excitement of living in a new place and facing different traditions and cultures, you must use common sense.
The first few days and weeks may be both exciting and worrisome when you start over in a new country. However, you must be patient and know that you’ll likely adapt because adjusting to change is human nature.
If you’re planning on switching homes, learn how to coordinate preparations and prepare for the transfer.
Determine where you’ll live
You may think it’s easy to find a place to live near all the attractions, your job, and any other place you’ll need quick access to. This isn’t the case in most cities, as urbanization is here for a reason: people are clogging a city’s heart.
It’s an old trick, but you can contact a real estate agent. Otherwise, you can talk with other expatriates, scan classifieds, or use one of the digital housing services available to afford accommodation on your own.
Be ready to pay your first (sometimes second) month of rent as a security deposit. Make sure you have enough money to cover all of your upfront costs before your first paycheck without resigning to canned soup. Don’t forget about the following:
- Internet bills
- Garbage
- Power
- Water.
Benefit from the cultural divide
If there’s a cultural divide, try to arrange your lodging with local support. Insiders’ viewpoints might help you avoid “immigrant’s tax” or unfortunate scams for additional unnecessary payments. This way, you can also find out how safe the neighborhood is, what to be wary of, and ensure that your transaction doesn’t include a humorous aspect.
Much better if this local is a close associate who genuinely cares for you!
Determine how you’re shipping your possessions
When you look at your luggage and realize it’s getting full, it’s tempting to say to yourself, “I’ll leave my bike at home.” However, it’s not the healthiest move to get rid of things that are close to your soul. Many suffer from not having a hobby, so if you’re lucky to adore doing something in your spare time, why downsize? After all, you want comfort and a homelike vibe in your future dwelling.
If you want to avoid breaking the bank to buy new commodities, it’s worth checking container shipping costs 2022 to determine how you can save money on your move by sending your entire house overseas. Remember that shipping costs differ depending on several factors, like the distance, the volume of your shipment and whether you choose a 20ft or 40ft container.
Also, weigh the consequences of hiring a car to travel, buying a new one, or exporting your own. Some countries require a new driver’s license and/or an IDP (International Driving Permit).
Get accustomed to the community
Before the big move, take some time to study how the state operates and the past of your new neighborhood. Read up on the codes of etiquette and social customs. You can engage in movies and books in your chosen destination and learn several phrases and terms if you need to learn the local language.
Note! Learn how people are greeted, how they thank and tell goodbye, and how they enjoy their meals. These are among the most important lessons you’ll learn abroad. To create connections, check out the local festivals and events. This will allow you to navigate across the cultural environment more easily.
Although imperfectly, learning about the new society can help reduce social faux pas and offset culture shock. Don’t overthink being an outsider, and remember that mistakes are typical. As long as you’re friendly, open to change, and ask and offer help, things should go as smoothly as silk. Locals usually rejoice over foreigners who show interest in them, their culture, and their language.
Overcome the fear of a new language
It helps to learn the basics beforehand. You should know how to say “hello”, “please”, etc. and how to present yourself and ask for directions. Remember that politeness is always appreciated and can be a weapon to winning an argument. Attempts to communicate in the local language are also safe bets.
Use a phone app to communicate or find expats who speak English. A translator would also be ideal, when possible.
Understand the foreign bureaucracy and transportation
Now that you’ve mastered the fundamentals, you need to learn how to survive when the rules change. Keep in mind that many countries’ government offices operate at a slower speed. This is where you develop discipline, young grasshopper.
You might feel like doing a happy dance the first time you take public transportation alone. But you should check whether you can get a monthly pass or if each ride requires a new ticket.
The traffic flow is critical. You need to know whether cars will stop for passersby or if you’ll play a tricky game of escape.
Reacquainting oneself with all those dozens and dozens of bus routes, buying a ticket from the automated dispenser, and changing the foreign currency correctly – everything under directions written in what may seem like utter nonsense – can give you headaches.
Check where the government departments are and if your passport is in place, and find out how long each consultation takes. Try not to get frustrated by all the red tape, bring a book and headphones, and rejoice when it’s all done with your new friends.
Be prepared for when you’ll eventually run into the healthcare system
You can’t escape coming into contact with the healthcare system. When living abroad, things can get tricky. Therefore, determine if the new healthcare system will cover you, see what vaccines are essential, and request medical records from your healthcare providers.
You might need to figure out if the prescribed drugs in the country are legal, permitted, or available. If not, bring additional supplies.
When you move abroad, you basically move into a new world and learn a new life. Before you need the services, learn as much as you can about how to look after your finances, health insurance, and other primary needs.