You can never be too prepared for a new life abroad. Remember you are leaving behind what is familiar to you and embarking on a journey in unfamiliar waters.
So you have made a big decision to move and work abroad. Thanks to advancements in technology, finding a job in another country is easier than ever before. You now have a job and you are ready to take on the adventure. Of course, it is an exciting phase and you have so much to look forward to.
You have probably moved jobs before, so joining a new company and interacting with new people is nothing new for you. However, moving to a new country is a different story altogether. The transition won’t probably be that easy. Nevertheless, some preparations before you head out can go a long way in making the process easier.
Here are 5 tips to help you prepare yourself for working abroad.
1. Have a cash reserve
Though you are going abroad to work, it can take a month or so for your salary check to start coming in. However, some expenses related to your move can’t wait that long. You will probably need to book a few days in a hotel before you find a place to rent. Once you find a house, you will need to pay rent and probably a security deposit. You might need to purchase a few things for your new house and take care of your meals. That is why you need to have some money with you when you arrive in your new country.
You can calculate how much you need beforehand to make sure that you have enough and don’t end up running into a financial crisis. You can research the average rent in the area you intend to stay in plus other costs such as meals and the like. Save up a bit more in case your findings are wrong.
2. Put your documents in order
Working upload involves a lot of paperwork. For starters, you need to make sure that you have all the documents required to gain entry and work in your destination. Have a valid passport and identification documents ready and research on visas and work permits. Sort out your bank statements and anything you would need to get a visa in case your employer would want to apply for a permanent visa for you.
In addition, sort out papers related to your work. This includes your degree certificates, resume, and job references among other relevant documents.
Driving around in your new country is likely inevitable. Make sure you get yourself an international driver’s license, which is a permit that allows you to drive in foreign countries. Get one ready to avoid crashing with law enforcers in your new country. In some instances, it can act as your identification as well.
3. Take care of what you are leaving behind
Moving abroad means leaving your life in your home country behind and moving on into a new one. Even as you prepare yourself for the move, it is important that you take care of some things at home. For instance, if you have a house, you need to decide whether to sell or rent it out. You also have to decide on the stuff you are leaving behind. Do you need to donate, sell or look for long-term storage? If you have subscriptions such as gym, newspaper or internet, you need to cancel that including the standing orders with your bank. In addition, find out if you need to notify your embassy, bank, insurance company, utility companies among other relevant persons of your move.
4. Research your destination
Before you adjust, there is a possibility to feel lost in your new surroundings. To reduce this likelihood, research your destination beforehand. Find about the culture and customs so that you know how to behave around people. You can also research the language and learn the most common phrases.
Culture shock is a possibility that you have to deal with after the excitement has died down. You can limit the effect of it by having a bucket list of the places you want to explore. Research the tourist attraction sites that you would like to see while there. You can also research some things that you are used to at home to reduce the effects of homesickness.
5. Get health insurance
You can never be too sure about medical bills in your destination. You might be slapped with outrageous medical bills in an event that you fall sick once in your new country of residence. To avoid paying such out of your pocket, it is important that you get yourself covered with international medical insurance before your departure.
Conclusion
You can never be too prepared for a new life abroad. Remember you are leaving behind what is familiar to you and embarking on a journey in unfamiliar waters. It is important that you don’t leave any stone unturned when it comes to preparing for working abroad. Ensure you are leaving everything in order at home, and have prepared well for where you are going.
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