The idea of moving abroad for work fascinates most people. Indeed, an international career is exciting yet intimidating as it opens gates to a myriad of opportunities. It is a great way to turn your mundane day-to-day activities into interesting ones. Having the chance to meet new people and relate to their cultures can skyrocket your intercultural competencies. Not only this, but you can also learn new languages and get your soft skills through the roof.
However, moving to a foreign country for new employment isn’t an easy breezy process; in fact, it is a whirlwind of activities. From searching for a new place to live, figuring out the costs, farewell parties to the visa process, and gaining health insurance, everything keeps adding to the list. Not to forget how it is pretty challenging to get acclimatized to a new workplace. You might or might not receive a warm and friendly welcome.
Undoubtedly, the whole process is intense and tiring. The days and weeks pass by to get this realization closer that there is still a lot of work to do. However, you can calm your nerves by start preparing early. That way, you can save a considerable amount of time and remain stress-free.
Before you board a ticket and get on this new journey, make sure you have everything in check. Below is the checklist of things that you should do before moving overseas:
- Scale Back Your Possessions
First and foremost, decide whether you wish to keep the house you live in or sell it out? If you are moving overseas for work permanently, selling the current property might be a wise choice. For instance, if you are a Coffs Harbour resident in Australia, you can type on search engines ‘conveyancing Coffs Harbour‘ to pick the best and reliable conveyancers. That way, the already emotional moving-out process will become less stressful.
Apart from the property, also downsize your belongings and possessions. Make a list of all the items. Narrow down the ones that you can’t let go of and cut down the things that aren’t essential. While you might be tempted to take your valuable possessions with you, remember, the international rates for transportation might cut too deeply into your bank accounts. Even if you negotiate the costs, across the border fares are still high. Therefore, make your decisions accordingly.
- Prepare For Cultural Differences
Moving to a new country sounds thrilling until you go there and get a culture shock. Most people are so naïve that they don’t even bother to study how much of a cultural difference can change their lifestyle in a new place. Indeed, most people resist change. However, don’t let the grind to a halt. To get accustomed to the traditions and cultures, read a bit about the country’s history, government policies, festivals, and other critical information.
Also, if you are not proficient in the language, learn some common or main words that can help you in communication. That way, you can converse better with the native people. Explore the country and learn from experiences. Respecting other cultures builds a sense of compassion and benevolence in your personality. And eventually, you will learn to adjust and get on the same page as others.
- Obtain Health Insurance
Medical regulations are different in every country. Keep yourself up-to-date with the health rules and laws of the state you are planning to move to. While getting sick or injured is already stressful miles away from your hometown, adding unnecessary medical bills to it can get you overwhelmed. Thus, make sure to obtain international health insurance and save yourself from trouble.
Furthermore, don’t forget to check whether your prescribed medications are allowed in the place you are moving to, and you can easily access them. If not, you can take an extra supply with you in your carry-on luggage. There is a high possibility that you might not receive the same medical care you had in your hometown. Therefore, make sure to set a few appointments before you move out. These appointments must include a visit to a dentist, an eye checkup, and an overall physical checkup. Try to keep all your latest medical records with you since your new doctor might need to review them on your first appointment.
- Sort Out Utility Bills
Amidst all the excitement and nervousness to move abroad, it is easy to forget to sort out utility and other payments. One best way is to list down all the bills you pay every month. It should include all bill payments from electricity and gas to monthly or yearly subscriptions on different websites such as Amazon, Netflix, Spotify, etc. Review the list and decide which subscriptions you want to carry on with or which payments you wish to cancel out before you move. Make sure to plan how you will pay for the subscriptions that you wish to continue with even after moving. Also, keep in mind to inform your utility providers beforehand and not wait until the eleventh hour.
- Reserve Some Cash for Emergencies
Even if you already have a job at your new living place, keeping an emergency fund is a wise decision. A better option is to sacrifice some of your spendings to build your emergency funds, such as cut down on your shopping or any luxury expenses. You never know when you get into an accident or fall sick and require funds to pay your medical bills. There is also a possibility you might not receive your paycheck any month, or it might get delayed.
Also, it is easy to get scammed in new places, and while you suffer financial problems, you can’t just pack your bags and go back to your hometown. Therefore, to bring yourself out from these hassles, save some cash in an emergency funds account from three to six months of your living expenditures.
- Figure Out the Cost of Living
One most prominent thing to keep in mind while preparing to move and work abroad is determining your living cost. Understanding the average cost of living can prevent you from overspending, and you can adjust to the new living style easily. It will help if you learn how to manage your budget every month beforehand. Research the rent charges, utility bills costs, public transport charges, internet package rates, dining charges, and other expenses and make a spreadsheet of all these budgets. Even if you feel like your salary can’t manage these expenses, try to cut costs on your way of living.
Final Words
Initially, it might be difficult for you to adjust to the new place. You might have some biased opinions about how things should be in the workplace or outside of it. However, don’t let these preconceived notions be a hindrance to your career trajectory. Take your time to observe, learn and soak up as much as you can. Let everything around you sink in before you make a judgment about the place.
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