(ThyBlackMan.com) Moving overseas can be an exciting and fulfilling step in your life. Whether you’re making the move a permanent one or you’re simply looking for a temporary challenge like to study or volunteer, it will be an amazing opportunity for you.
But a big move like this requires a lot of planning, and there are plenty of things you’ll need to think about to make sure the move is the right decision for you.
Here are some top tips to help you prepare for a move abroad.
Do your research first
Why do you want to move? This is the question you need to ask yourself before undertaking any move. Sometimes the reason is straightforward, such as taking a new job or going to study. If your career is making you feel empty, you might want to think about a move overseas as a way to boost your career. Moving overseas presents some great opportunities, and could finally help you find some direction for your life.
There are a lot of things that need to come together for you to move abroad. You’ll need to think about where you want to move to, what the opportunities are like, as well as other factors such as the cost of living. There are some key questions to ask before moving to another country that will help you make the right decision. 
Save a lot of money
Whether you’re moving to travel, work or study, you’re going to need a lot of money behind you. There are ways you can save money fast to help with this. Draw up a budget of everything you need for at least your first couple of months in a new country. If you’re going to be traveling or are moving to study, then you will want to have a lot more saved for you to live on.
Get your visas in order
One of the most important things to do when planning your move abroad is to get your visa and entry requirements in order. Different countries will have different requirements, so it’s important you get everything prepared in advance. Any violation of your visa could mean that you’re deported, which could bring your plans to an abrupt halt.
Take care of your affairs before leaving
As you prepare to move, you’ll have several things that need taking care of. You should only pack the things you really need to take with you, otherwise you risk some significant moving costs to ship all of your things to you.
Aside from the packing, you’ll need to make sure that all of your affairs are in order. If you own your home, you might want to think about renting it out so that you can make some money on it. You should also take care of any financial commitments that you have such as a car, insurance and smaller things like your cell phone and gym membership. If you’re only going to be away for a short time, some providers will let you put your contract on hold ready to pick up when you return.
Do you need to learn a new language?
Unless you’re planning on moving somewhere where English is widely spoken, you will want to think about learning a new language. It will help you get around and make you feel more at home if you can speak some of the language before you move. Being immersed in a new language day after day is a great way to learn, and there are some other ways of learning a language quickly that will have you starting conversations in no time.
Give yourself time to adjust
Moving to a new country can be overwhelming, which is why it’s important to give yourself some time to adjust. You’ll want to rent a property at first to help you settle in and give you the chance to get to know your new surroundings. You can spend time exploring your new home, walking around and finding where everything is. Treat your first few weeks as though you were a tourist, it will help you see the best that your new location has to offer.
Say yes to social invitations
It’s tough to make friends in a new country, which can leave you feeling lonely – especially during the first couple of months. Getting out and about will help you to meet some new people and develop some sort of routine. Be sure to say yes to any social invitations that come your way – you need to put yourself out there.
Some ideas you can try to meet some new people include joining a class, taking part in some team sports, as well as keeping an eye out for meet-ups with other ex-pats. It can take time to develop new friendships, so keep your spirits up and focus on keeping yourself busy.
Take care of yourself
Any drastic change to your life can be overwhelming, which can make it easy to let your good habits slip. Taking care of yourself will help you to keep your health in check so that you can make the most of your time. Start by getting plenty of sleep, eating healthy and getting plenty of exercise. If you find that your mental health is starting to suffer, talk to someone and don’t handle it alone.
Don’t forget the practical things like registering with a doctor and dentist as soon as you arrive at your new home.
A move abroad is a rollercoaster of emotions. For all of the excitement you’re feeling, you’re probably feeling scared or anxious too. By being as prepared as possible, you can enjoy a move that is stress-free and full of opportunities. No matter where in the world you are, be sure to make the most of the experience – these types of chances might only happen once in a lifetime!
Staff Writer; Peter Parker
