Checklist and things to keep in mind before moving abroad
So you have just got accepted into the university of your choice or you have just been offered a great job opportunity abroad. Admit it, moving abroad is a life-changing decision! And not always an easy one to make….And that’s great! In such decisions, think what Kobe Bryan used to say before important games; “Pressure, challenges? — Well, it’s all an opportunity for me to rise”. So seize this opportunity and rise through your new challenge! Moving abroad is an experience of a lifetime and not everyone is lucky enough to live it! So now that you have the chance to do it, I repeat…GO FOR IT!
So here we are a few weeks later… After weighing the pros & cons of moving abroad in your head, you decide to take the risk, you accept the position and you start planning your big “moving abroad day”. But how do you prepare for it? Well, I know… the draft planning is always first taking place in your head and it’s kinda messy; there are so many things to do and so many others not to be forgotten. You rush into your office and you grab a pack of post-its! You’re flying to your new home in almost 2 weeks, so you decide to keep your thoughts in order; you organise your post-its by colour and you try to somehow classify your checklist!
Tough right? Especially for a first-timer! I remember myself being in this situation a few years ago when I had to move to the Netherlands for the first time… the frustration was real; “what to take with me? What to check in advance? What am I forgetting?” etc, were some of the main questions dazzling my mind, a week before my departure. And that’s how I got the inspiration to write this piece of an article! Today, and after having moved abroad three times and in three different countries, I think that I’ve a few tips to share with you, in order to help you create your perfect checklist. I’m definitely not an expert, but I guess out of experience, I have a few things to remind you that in my opinion, will help you somehow organise a bit better your big travel! And here you go!
1. Deal in advance with all the paperwork;
Either you’re moving abroad for studying or for starting a new job, the mandatory paperwork is something that has to be arranged in advance. Boring right? In any case, it has to be done and it would be ideal if you could actually gather all the necessary documents in a folder before moving to your new country. Name your folder and make sure you include the documents that follow; job contracts, learning agreements, letters of acceptance, recommendation letters, copy of your ID card or your passport, visas, your original university degree, your language certificates, and your bank account essentials. Those let’s say are a few of the main documents that you’ll be asked to show upon your arrival, either by your new company or your new university. Make sure you have them all in order and that you have extra copies of those! Believe me, it’s better to be organized than trying to explain to your mum that the green folder you need, is in the second drawer under your desk and that the document you need is the third one in a row, after the picture with your ex-boyfriend …Yes it happens…
2. Apply for a passport! (if you don’t have one already).
Even if you’re a European Union citizen used to travel in the EU just by showing your national ID, a passport is always a great idea! First of all, it allows you to travel to multiple destinations and not necessarily into the EU; think that you might be able to find cheap flights to amazing destinations leaving from your new country. You wanna miss them? Definitely not! Secondly, even if you’re not planning on traveling much, a passport is also a great “replacement document” of your “antiquated” national ID that can be declined or awkwardly get processed by the foreign national authorities that sooner or later will give you “the look” — (where’s this ID from and why it’s like this and blah blah)-. And yes… I’m referring to you (to us) Italians and Greeks… happened to me too, so a passport will save you some time and some awkwardness.
3. Open a second bank account/ get a second bank card.
Before leaving your hometown make sure that you have a second bank card, eligible to be used abroad! It usually takes a while to open a new bank account in your new country so you’ll definitely need a source where you’ll be safe to withdraw money from. Makes sense right? And you already have a credit card right? So what am I talking about? Well…what happens if one day you get robbed in the metro and suddenly left with no cards, ID, or cash? You cannot withdraw money, you cannot open a new bank account and you cannot prove anything, right? So here comes the idea mentioned above; SECOND CARD! SECOND CARD. Make sure that you have got a second card saved among your clothes, somewhere in your closet. Leave it there until the moment you need it… hopefully, you won’t… but what if?
4. Accommodation
This part is a painful one; many of us think that it will be so much easier to look for a place to live upon our arrival ;“it will be better to go there so that I see the house and discuss with the owner in person”. Right, I agree with you, it sounds ideal! You gotta visit a house before you book it! But…save some time and book at least some visits in advance! Go online, join the relevant Facebook groups, check rooms, talk with people, consult people who already live there, and book your visits on time! The competition is usually quite big, especially if you’re moving during the “rush” months, September/January/August…Be smart and be prepared! Know more or less what you’re looking for and go after it! In the end, you’ll end up with a room of your choice and not with a room that you were stuck in since you needed more time to decide or you had no other options.
5. Immerse with the locals in advance!
Join the relevant social media communities and socialize with people, who are “just like you”. Use the power of the socials! Get in contact with the people, who already live there! Ask, suggest & learn from each other. You have a question about the university? Find the person in charge in advance or consult a student who’s also in your shoes! Read about the culture & the language spoken in your new country and prepare to adjust. Get informed, ask the locals, and get a different viewpoint and perspective! After all, all you’re after is just information, that however can end up in great meetings and later on in great friendships!
6. Book a functional hostel/hotel for the first days!
Arrange your accommodation in advance, even for the first night of your arrival. Since you’ll be new in the city, choose a hostel or hotel centrally based that allows you to move around and explore. It might take a while till you get settled in your new house, so choose a hostel that you fancy and that offers you all the necessary; after all, you might spend more than a week in it while searching for your perfect apartment! So make sure it’s functional!
7. Screenshot everything!!!
Screenshot your online hotel booking, your university/job appointment email, the visits you have planned, the locations that you would be interested in renting an apartment, the events you’d like to attend, etc. Screenshot everything! Sometimes we go through pages and we think “oh nice, I’ll check that one, once I arrive there”… oh no, you won’t, cause simply it will just skip your mind! And it’s ok! A screenshot in your phone will be always there reminding you that you have to check a few things upon your arrival! It’s on your phone, you want it or not at some moment, you’ll notice it! Ahh!! Also, take into consideration that your internet data might not work instantly once you arrive…So yes.. SCREENSHOT also THE MAPS! haha…well, it saved me quite a few times!
8. Luggage — last but not least!
So you have already done all the previous steps and now it’s time for packing. I understand that you’re moving for the first time and that you are gonna need ALL of your things… However, taking ALL of your things with you will definitely cost you a fortune and will also leave you with a “broken body” (it literally hurts). Set your priorities. Take things and clothes that you’ll need! Buy towels, blankets, sheets, and furniture there! Do not carry everything at once! After all, you’ll be back home soon and you can again take whatever you’re missing! Advice; Weigh your bag and make sure it’s applying to the airline’s regulations. You don’t wanna be supercharged upon your arrival at the airport, trying to remove things from your bag at the last moment!
And I guess…more or less that’s it! I hope that my little tips will somehow help and distress you a bit, before the big day! So here you go… ready, set, and enjoy your new life abroad!
