Becoming an ex-pat and moving to another country can certainly be one of the most exciting decisions you will ever make. With so many new opportunities, it’s understandable why millions of Americans are currently living abroad.
However, the process of getting there can be overwhelming, especially for introverts who aren’t used to large changes in routine.
In this article, we are going to go over some tips to make the transition abroad much more comfortable. Sound interesting? Then let’s get started!
Find The Perfect Location
Before you start packing your bags and buying tickets, it’s important to take the time to find a place that meets both your financial and cultural needs. Think about the climate, the type of lifestyle you’re looking to create, the cost of living, and how accessible it is to basic amenities. If you like peaceful destinations, go for a small city or countryside village.
If you’re more of an urbanite, look for bigger cities with diverse communities and plenty of activities. Whether you’re searching for a location that offers something like the Fig Tree Bay beach in Protaras, Cyprus, or the lively nightlife in Madrid, Spain, your options are endless. Taking the time to research and compare these places can help you make an informed decision about where to go.
Save, Save, Save
One of the best tips to have a smooth transition to another country is to save as much as possible. Yes, there are the typical costs that you need to consider, such as flights and housing, but you also need to think about other things—for example, the cost of transporting your belongings, transporting yourself, and buying all your necessities.
It can also be beneficial to save up for a few extra weeks to travel around your new home. You’ll learn more about the culture and get a chance to relax before starting a new job. It’s easy to get caught up in work, so take a moment to experience everything there is to see, do, and explore.
Sort Out Your Paperwork In Advance
There is a lot of paperwork involved when you make the move to another country, so it’s beneficial to try and get it done as early as possible. From your visa, passport, and work permit to the insurance (which we will get into below), you want to make sure that you can get everything approved.
Depending on the country you are moving to, you will need various types of documents and visas. For example, Canada gives the opportunity to sponsor a spouse in Canada (parrainer votre conjoint au Canada), if your husband or wife is already a Canadian resident. On the other hand, if you are moving to get a job, you may need a work visa.
Heading somewhere to work without the correct information can get you in a lot of trouble. At the end of the day, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Contact Any Relevant Businesses
While it might be nice to just pack up everything and move, there are a lot of things you need to take care of at home before leaving the country. For example, you’ll need to contact your banks and doctors, transfer any important mail, and inform any other important business of your new location. And then there’s the issue of documents and languages.
Speaking of which… you may need to contact high-quality Spanish interpreters if you are facing a problem translating a document. Oh, also don’t forget to cancel any subscription services that you no longer need as well! The last thing you want is to suddenly receive a large bill for something months later.
Plan Ahead With Insurance
Insurance may be another expense that you don’t want to think about, but it’s essential for any traveler. Accidents can always happen, and you need to be prepared so that you don’t end up with a large hospital bill. If you’re looking for a great place to start, check out this Travel Medical Insurance. During this uncertain time, it’s certainly necessary.
Consider Whether To Ship, Store, Or Sell
One of the most critical questions you need to ask yourself when moving abroad is what you are going to do with all of your belongings. Depending on where you are moving to, and how many things you have, shipping can be ridiculously expensive.
You might consider storing your items, but again, that will cost you, unless you have a friend or family member who will look after everything.
The final option is to sell off all of the items that you no longer need. This can give you extra money for your travels but can also be a complicated process.
Do Your Research
Every country is different, so one thing that you should do before your departure is your research. Try and learn all about the various laws, regulations, and cultural customs. This will keep you out of trouble, and you’ll be able to learn all the best tips and tricks to save money.
It might take some time, but you’ll be grateful for it. There are some weird laws around the world that might seem strange to you but still need to be followed!
Learn The Local Language
While most places do speak some amount of English, it’s still wise to learn the local language during your time abroad. It will be much easier to talk with the locals, and it may even benefit you at your new job. Check out these useful tips to learn a new language to get yourself started.
Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone
Finally, the final tip, in order to have the best transition abroad possible, is to make sure you get out of your comfort zone. It can be a great idea to try joining a local ex-pat group so that you can make friends on your new journey. Try different things, experience cultural traditions, and explore everything that this incredible world has to offer. You won’t regret it!
And that’s it! By following the above, you’ll be able to settle into your new home and start living your new life! What do you think? Are there any other tips you would add to this list?
Featured photo by Michal Balog on Unsplash.
