How to live abroad

Author: Monica Porter
Date Of Creation: 18 March 2021
Update Date: 1 July 2024
Anonim
How You Can Live (& Work) Abroad
Video: How You Can Live (& Work) Abroad

Content

Going abroad is one of the biggest turning points you can go through in your life. Although it can be challenging and complicated with a lot of paperwork, it is also a very enjoyable and rewarding experience. Whether for business or personal use, the transition will be much easier and more enjoyable if you are well prepared. This article will cover the issues that you need to consider.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Practical problems moving abroad

  1. Make sure your passport is renewed and has a visa that allows you to live in that country. If going abroad is highly likely, especially when given a short notice, you need to be prepared. Everything you prepare in advance will be much lighter than when you had to do it at the last minute. Visa problems can cause travel delays.
    • Remember that your passport must be valid. If you need to get a new passport this will be the first thing you need to do. The process of applying for and getting a new passport can take several weeks.

  2. Make a plan. First of all, you need to create a plan with items that can be crossed out when finished. This plan should be meticulous and include a deadline. Here are some other issues to consider:
    • Talk about packing and shipping. Consult at least three different companies and ask them to submit a quote. Find out what each company guarantees to do: special-order packaging, packaging and shipping (which can be quite complex), assisting with transporting pets, ensuring on-time delivery, store, etc. In addition, you should also inquire about property storage services where you are located. If you're planning to go abroad for a short while and then go back, it's probably best to leave some, even most of the belongings behind.
    • Decide how to handle your home. Will you sell or rent a house? If you want to sell, you can contact the real estate agent and let them know your plans. Think if you have enough time to wait for the best price, or if you need to sell fast to make money. Be careful when talking to your broker about this - no matter how rushed you are, you still want to get the highest price possible.
      • If you are going to rent out a home, ask a broker about their liability for the rental property. Remember that their service should make you completely satisfied. Ask for a letter of recommendation, and if possible, you should choose a broker with experience leasing property from an overseas landlord - renting out property while you're abroad is much more difficult and There can be a problem in your absence if the broker fails to do their part in the supervision of the property and the tenant inspection.
    • Settlement of mortgages, rental contracts and loans. You will need to talk to your bank or lessors about how to best handle your financial obligations.
    • Talk to your child's school about the upcoming change. You will need a confirmation of your child's current grade and a commitment to be ready to respond to the incoming country's school email or phone call on relevant matters. Talk to your counselor about any transition issues you find helpful.
    • Immunization and visa application. Make sure to get all the vaccinations on schedule and get all the visas. Prepare enough accompanying documents necessary for permanent or long-term settlement.
      • If you are going to give up the citizenship of the country you are living in and get a new citizenship, this process will take quite a while, so you need to do this in the beginning when planning.
    • Set up a schedule to pack your luggage. Try to stick to the schedule so that you have plenty of time to deal with problems that may arise - and sure!



    Think about your life goals in your new country. Archana Ramamoorthy, director of technical product management at Workday, said: "When I moved to the US, the main issues I considered were visa procedures and cost of living. I had considered moving to the UK, but life in England is much more expensive than in America. I need to understand what financial burdens mean. I also wanted to study at the best universities in America, otherwise going abroad would be useless, so I took student loans to support expenses. I know that even though it costs more, I have better opportunities to complete my studies. "



  3. Set aside plenty of time to prepare. Some companies or government agencies sending employees abroad will give you months or days notice if you are selected. In this case, ask for as much payment assistance as possible - you'll need their support.
    • If you have ample time, you should set aside at least six months of preparation. You need to use this time to handle many things, including property handling, vehicles, pets, insurance, baggage handling and transportation, banking, transfers and more. another one. There are times when you don't have that comfortable time.
    • You may have to go immediately, but even if you are in a hurry, do not despair. On the other hand, you need to quickly create a support network, the more people help, the better.

  4. Consider finding a place to live in the coming country as soon as possible. Will you stay temporarily in a hotel or serviced apartment while looking to buy or rent a house?
    • Avoid buying a home over the internet. There is a risk that you will buy something very bad without knowing it. You need to go in person to better understand the surroundings, see if the floor is rotten, or to find out if it's too expensive!
    • You can ask a family member or personally go a trip in advance to check the house and the price is worth it. If someone you know lives in the place you plan to move, you can ask them to help you with this.
    • Even if you want to buy a house or apartment in the coming country, it is advisable to rent a house first. When you live in a rented home, you will have time to find out if you have chosen the wrong location, or simply do not like living in that country. After a minimum of six months, you will know if you really want to stay, and you will also learn more about the property and the areas in which you enjoy living. This way you will be less stressed and more likely to make the right decisions.
    • Note that you should arrive first and ship your belongings later. This is more convenient if you plan to rent a hotel or serviced apartment.
    • Find a good real estate attorney in the country you plan to visit. You will need someone who is knowledgeable about all the taxes, fees, lien, conditions, etc. that apply in that country. Your solicitor can refer a lawyer where you are going.
  5. Set up a suitable bank account. Transferring money between countries is becoming easier without incurring too many costs. Talk to your current bank and learn about options for setting up money transfers - some even allow money transfers overseas by phone, so consider all options.
    • Unless you intend to never return, you should maintain at least one bank account where you live. The longer an account is opened, the better your credit score. If you do, it will be easier for you to reuse your old account instead of having to open a new one. Internet banking service will help you easily track your account.
    • In some countries, financial transactions will be much more difficult than in others. You need to discuss the challenges and solutions with your bank and a reputable financial advisor with knowledge of the country you are moving to.

  6. Get in touch with acquaintances who live where you are going. They can be a valuable resource when you need information, support and communication. Let them know about your plans and they can help you gather the necessary information.
  7. Look at your items honestly and deal with them. In fact, our living needs are very few, but almost every home is filled with furniture that has accumulated from year to year, many of which are not used or needed. Instead of trying to take all of those things overseas or pay rent for a storage space, you should honestly consider your need to keep your items. If possible, please donate or donate things you don't need. This will make your trip easier and you won't have to worry about storing your belongings.

  8. Selling items for cash. You can use promotional websites to sell your items. Even if you don't have a lot of time, this is still a great way to sell items in bulk, even sell all the furniture in your room at once. Let everyone know that you are going to live abroad and have to sell all your belongings. Everyone likes to buy a bargain!
    • Don't regret it. Add each item to take away, you add shipping costs.
    • Occasionally boxes fall during transport, and the cargo can be damaged at all stages due to rough handling or other accidents. Keep this in mind when you pack your precious collections - perhaps better for storage or for sale. You should anticipate all risks in the transport process.

  9. Consider all options for handling pets. Some people bring pets to relatives and friends, others take them with them. If you want to bring your pet with you, you should be aware of the following:
    • Are your pets allowed in the country you are going to?
    • Are your animals quarantined? For how long and how much does it cost?
    • How will your pets go? Learn about safety, cost, and any other requirements, such as a pet passport.
    • Is the pet's health good? All pets should be vaccinated and have the appropriate health standards for the trip. Also check out the other requirements for the country you're coming from.

    • Consider your pet's weaknesses when making decisions. The ride can be too stressful for an elderly or sick pet.
  10. Learn about driving licenses in your new country. Some countries accept another country's driving license or international driving license. Some countries require you to take the test again after the specified time. Don't hesitate, get to know this right away - it can be a struggle if you can't drive when you arrive at your new place.
  11. Notify the agency you are working on. If you are not dispatched by an agency, you will be subject to their quit policy. You need to plan to give the workplace an appropriate time in advance. However, unless something is clearly affecting the agency, do not rush to make the announcement, but leave it to the next section of your plan, in case you change your mind or the agency can send you away earlier than you expected.
  12. Pay attention to electrical appliances. If you are coming to the US / Japan from the rest of the world, you will need a voltage converter and transformer. Incompatible voltage / frequency can damage electrical devices. Even when traveling between two countries of the same voltage, you still need a voltage converter. advertisement

Method 2 of 3: Coping with culture shock

  1. Prepare yourself for big changes. You may face culture shock and will have difficulty transitioning to a place that is completely different from your familiar home, but you will get through it after a few months of living there. . People in each land behave differently, so we call it "foreign" - and it often turns us into strangers. However, it is also a great opportunity for us to learn and get acquainted with another culture. Once you put yourself in the mindset of people in another country, you will never go back to the way of thinking; because it will be difficult to see the world with the "we and them" view once you experience it.
    • If you do not know local customs, do your research first to understand as much as you can. Knowing at a glance is better than ignorance - at least it gives you the opportunity to learn about and integrate into cultural events and customs when arriving in a new land. It also helps you avoid situations that could be considered offensive to locals.

  2. Understand that small hobbies can become bigger problems than you think. Your favorite cups of coffee and familiar places you visit often in your home country can turn into nagging nostalgia when you can no longer find them in your current life. It is important that you acknowledge your feelings of loss, but remain open to new experiences. Even undiscovered things can signal things you will love more than the things you once loved in the past.
    • It's normal to feel sad or upset about these losses; The sadness will pass once you get used to the new land.
    • If you move from a country with all the options to choose from, to where there is little to choose from, you may find life difficult. There will be no large rows of breakfast cereals (now only a small shelf) or cars of all types (now you can only choose blue or gray). At first, this will make you very miserable.You have two options - accept and understand that having fewer options will give you more time to think and save natural resources, and the second to go back on a trip to buy everything (or ask a friend or family member to send it). While many people find that this sense of deprivation doesn't really fade over time (you'll find yourself constantly remembering the old days, when you could buy something with another), then you Get used to not having many choices!
  3. Understand that your initial feeling of excitement wears off in a few months. The first few months after arriving in a new place, you will feel like you are having a great vacation; you spend a lot of time exploring and feel very excited. But eventually you will find that you are living there and it is not half as interesting as what you imagined. This may come sooner for some people due to bureaucracy, the maintenance of a family life and the minor troubles that hinder settling into life.
    • You should soon find reputable service providers. Something goes wrong sometimes, and you will need a reliable person to show up as promised and charge a reasonable price. If you do not ask ahead to prepare, you can become a good bait for those who take advantage of exorbitant prices. This can turn into a nightmare experience, and you can fully anticipate it rather than being "cut down".
    • Stay calm when dealing with administrative procedures. Most countries have form papers, most have to line up and have extremely odd reasons to fill out forms and wait. It is not your job to ask questions, but to research the locals and through the websites to learn how to handle problems as best as possible. Everything has a solution, and you need to learn the right way. If you don't learn, you will never know.
  4. Be willing to accept the limits of your normal habits and behavior. Another type of culture shock occurs when you are told that you cannot do something and that you are still allowed to do it in your home country. Now your position won't let you wonder - just try to accept. Whether the society you move to is more rigorous or more relaxed than where you used to be, you must join the custom. If you want to make a lot of noise or insist on your opinion, then you may not be suitable for living in a foreign country; You should stay home to do what you want!
  5. Get help. Moving abroad is a highly stressful experience. You will have happy days, some sad days that have never been sadder than that, and other days that are just as normal as when you were at home, because this place will also become your home.
    • Pay attention to mood swings. If you suffer from anxiety, fear, depression, etc., seek the help of a mental health professional. Don't silently endure it - it will be exacerbated by a strange feeling about everything and everyone around you, ultimately leading to feelings of loneliness and fear.

    • Build a strong network of friends, talk openly with family and friends about your feelings and listen attentively to your children's concerns (if any).


    • You can have an online psychotherapist if you want to work with a therapist in the country you left. The advantage of the internet is that you retain a sense of closeness when needed.

    • Use social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and email to stay in touch with friends and family back home. You can chat with people via Skype: almost are you really there! This can be an effective and pleasant way to control your emotions and get support from people you know.


    • You should invite close friends over from time to time to play.


  6. Keep safe. Another problem related to culture shock occurs when you go to unsafe places like where you used to be. Ask locals about places to avoid and problems around the area.
    • Wear clothes that are appropriate for where you live and try to fit in. Sometimes unsafe situations happen because criminals guess you are a tourist or because you are wearing inappropriate clothing.
    • Call the police department to inquire about security. You can also inquire about the crime level in the area you are looking to buy or rent.
    advertisement

Method 3 of 3: If you are just considering moving abroad

  1. Determine which country you want to move to. Unless you have no choice, like moving out of the company, your decision will depend on where you think it's best to live. To the lovely rose city of Toulouse in southwestern France? To Berlin in Germany? To Iceland's beautiful Nordic lands? To Mexico? Venezuela? Spain? Russia? China? Or even to an island like Hawaii or Tahiti?
    • Imagine life in a new country. Watch the videos online to get an idea of ​​what you like there about all seasons of the year. Consider the weather, pollution levels, access to traffic, medical care, and grocery shopping. List the things to do there at work and other activities.
    • Go online to find stories of people who have moved abroad. People working abroad can be the most useful source of information; Can their experiences give you a clearer idea of ​​your choice, is it plausible, or is it where most people get into trouble? You can trust what they tell, because they are going through it; However, please note that each person's experience varies significantly, depending on the reason they moved, their income level, work experience, the region of the country they live in, etc. question if the site's forum allows.
    • Are you capable of working in the coming country? Is there a need that matches your expertise? What are the obstacles you have to overcome to find a job there before you move in and feel secure about your income? Few people can afford to take the risk of not finding a job in a new country unless they are rich enough. In addition, you should also learn about social insurance and what tests you need to pass to be eligible - note that you may be unsatisfactory for months or years, maybe not. when.
  2. Plan a trip to the country you are targeting to experience before you can call it home. Travel guides are a good source of information, but don't rely entirely on it. Try to avoid tourist attractions and go to "out of the way" places where you can interact with locals. But you should be careful: when you are eager to move abroad because you love something while traveling, you need to understand that going on holiday and living there are two completely different experiences. When you travel, you don't have to deal with the frustrations of day-to-day, suffer from the same bureaucratic procedures and customs as the people there, and generally nothing to worry about. Once you live there, the reality will be very different from the pleasant experience of a traveler. Don't decide to move in on a random trip!

  3. Find out everything about your destination country, including local customs (very important), language (even more important), and parts of the city. It is crucial to know if you can live there with different rules, customs and practices, as this will affect your daily life. For example, there are strict rules about what you are allowed or allowed to do in a country like Singapore (to the point where eating chewing gum in public can be deported) that can cause citizens to America loves freedom feel restrained.

  4. Study of immigration law and procedures. Would you be able to come live in a country you like? Some countries have very strict immigration requirements based on their income level, age, skills, education and family relations. If you are not rich, unskilled, too old or have no relatives living there, you will have a very hard time going to live in the desired country. Look for the laws of that country on the immigration website. Call immigration to inquire more about specific information regarding yourself - no preprinted information could be any clearer than making your own case and asking for specific advice.
    • The embassy of the country you want to move to is the first gate you can call. They often have information available on who wishes to migrate.


  5. Note about the language barrier. Is the language of the country you are going to be different from your native language? If so, can you speak that language? Think honestly about your ability to learn a new language - learning a new language is quite difficult for some people, even living in that environment. During a period of inactivity, you will feel like you are separated from your surroundings. If you are not confident, this can be a very miserable experience for you.
    • Consider language learning to proficiency before leave.
    • Sign up for language lessons as soon as you arrive. Find a tutor that knows both your native language and the language you are studying. Make sure this person can spend time with you traveling to places to help you learn the language in specific contexts, such as when shopping, dealing with landlords, banking, buying a car, please enter study, etc.
  6. If you have children, moving overseas will be even more difficult. First, think carefully about whether to separate your children from their routines and close friends. This can be a terrifying change for children. Is the quality of education in the new country as good or better than the one in your home country, or not as reliable? Are there good options for foreigners if the local quality of education is not good? You need to understand these carefully first, because they are really important!
    • Don't forget that, depending on where you are going, your children will often have to learn a new language or a new dialect (for example, they may have to get used to the difference between English in Australia and English in Australia. America). Although some parents see this as an opportunity for their children to be multilingual, if your child has any learning problems this will be a problem for them.
    • This is especially true if the local language based on a writing system is different from the child's mother tongue.
    advertisement

Advice

  • When learning a foreign language, don't forget to learn both idioms and slang - learn how people talk real life. Find online forums and websites to learn current words and what they mean. There is often room on these pages to ask anonymous questions about confusing words.
  • Don't cut things off at home - you might need to come back one day! For example, one piece of advice worth considering is that you shouldn't sell your home. You can keep and rent them, in case you need to return. Likewise, you should not give up citizenship; Maybe someday you might want to go back to where you were buried.

Warning

  • If you constantly complain about your new life and want to go back to your old days, remember that you may be looking at your homeland through pink lenses. Chances are that when you return to your old hometown, you will experience a culture shock just like when you arrived in a new country! Give the place a chance; If after five years you are still feeling down, it is time to return to your homeland.
  • Avoid moving to another country when you are pessimistic and depressed. This will not help you move forward, or even harm you when you make decisions.
  • You may face stigma. Don't forget that, friend be a foreigner in the new country.
  • Understand that some people will tell you bad things because they hate being in a foreign country; This situation is quite common among the spouses who have to go abroad to live with their partner. They wanted to stay at home but ended up leaving but had limited and hostile thoughts in mind. Be careful with such people - they often show their faces, always complain about how much they hate their new country and how long they wish to return home.
  • Be mindful of banking troubles. If you move from the US to a less developed country, you may find opening a simple account incredibly difficult. Anti-money laundering regulations and other complex issues that these banks deal with in the United States can lead to a lot of paperwork and reference requirements that are difficult to get in a foreign country. Make sure you have enough cash to spend the first two months, as it will be difficult to get money without a local account.
  • Moving abroad is an exciting experience at first, but it can often be painful for you (and your family) both physically and mentally. Be prepared for the worst, so you will be ready to respond to any situation.
  • Do not romanticize living abroad. No place is perfect, and you won't turn into a new person overnight. Do more research on culture and events - don't just rely on your friends' interesting travel stories.
  • Make sure you are authorized and entitled to work in the new country. For example, now many developed countries have granted loosen work permits. These types of visas are similar to work permits, which often state a specific position and may not have to comply with the same strict regulations as regular work permits.
  • Choose a suitable and reputable real estate broker. There is a risk of you being scammed when buying a home.
  • Your experience may differ from that of others. While other people's stories also help, understand that their experiences are unique, and so are you. Do not be in a hurry to assume that everything is bad or wonderful just through their words. Do your own research and keep an open mind.
  • Be realistic, and remember that you have the option of going back.
  • When considering applying for a job, be sure to do your homework and notice if anything dishonest / obscure has happened there (as well as you always pay attention when applying for jobs, whether in foreign or domestic!). You don't want to work in a place that makes you regret not considering!

What you need

  • Information of embassy / immigration department
  • Real estate broker and attorney in both places
  • Financial advisor
  • Shipping company information and quotes
  • The blueprint to follow and cross out when finished
  • Property storage plan (where relevant)
  • Internet access
  • Guidebook and similar to learn about cultural information
  • Passport, visa, vaccination
  • Check-up (good health before going)
  • Pet planning
  • Plan for learning