Moving overseas is exciting but involves a lot of forward planning. There’s a lot to think about and even more to do. After all, you’re relocating your entire life to a completely different country! Luckily, we have some tips for you to simplify the process of heading abroad to begin your English teaching journey.
Moving Abroad to Teach English Can Be Stress-Free
Whether you’re moving to France as part of a well-constructed TAPIF Program or heading to Asia to discover the joys of being a TEFL professional in Thailand or Vietnam, you can rest assured that your new adventure needn’t be as stressful as you’d expect. At least 5.4 million US citizens live overseas, and every one of them has managed to successfully relocate, so you can do it too! Careful planning is key. If you take things step-by-step, you won’t forget anything crucial, and you’ll be well-prepared when the day comes to embark on your new life abroad.
Choosing Your New Home
Some overseas teaching roles come with accommodation attached, which saves you a lot of stress, time and hassle. However, if your new job doesn’t come with somewhere to live, you’ll need to find a suitable new home.
Make sure that you’ve thought about this well before traveling. It might not be as quick and easy to secure accommodation as you imagine. Check out the areas near your new workplace, do some research into the best places to live, and find out what you can afford to spend on your new home. Don’t forget to consider your leisure time too. After all, you won’t be spending 24 hours a day at work! You’ll probably want to be located within easy reach of amenities to immerse yourself in the local culture, but don’t forget to consider transport links too. You don’t want to have a two-hour commute every day!
Document Preparation
Before you start packing, your first step is to make sure that your documents are prepared and ready to go. Make sure you’ve printed out everything you need, obtained the necessary visas, ensured your passport is valid, and pulled together your certificates. It’s also a good idea to have copies of your important paperwork just in case something unthinkable happens or goes missing en route.
What To Pack
Knowing what to take with you can be one of the biggest headaches of moving abroad. It’s best to try to travel as light as possible to reduce the hassle of moving your belongings safely overseas.
Choosing the right clothes to suit your new destination’s climate is important, but it’s always a good idea to take pieces that you can layer to suit a variety of weather conditions. Don’t forget to consider the local culture too when choosing outfits – you don’t want to cause offense or end up in trouble with your clothing choices.
You’ll also be taking electronic gadgets with you, so remember to consider local voltage requirements and plug types. You’ll need to remember to pack a converter and universal adapter to safely use your devices overseas.
It’s also a good idea to make sure you’ve got a first aid kit with you, containing all your vital medicines, as well as painkillers, bandages, and other key items to ensure your well-being abroad. If you take specific prescription medications, don’t forget to check the laws, as some require prescriptions or special permits to be shown.
Put Your Other Items In Storage
If you’re moving abroad for a long period or even permanently, you’ll need to decide what to do with all the belongings that you aren’t taking with you. Hosting a garage sale is a good solution to make a little extra money while also getting rid of your unwanted items. Any other items that you don’t want to get rid of but can’t ship abroad can go into storage or perhaps be looked after by a friend while you’re away.
Updating Your Addresses
Don’t forget that you’ll need to update your address so that the next person living in your property doesn’t receive all your bills and mail! You may be able to ask a friend or family member to take care of your post while you’re away, but if not, then make sure to let everyone know your new overseas location.
Choose A Trusted Moving Company
Choosing the right moving company to transport your worldly belongings overseas couldn’t be more important. You need to be certain that you’ve chosen a professional team with proven experience in helping people move internationally and with a strong reputation for quality service. After all, you want to be sure that your personal possessions are in safe hands.
Enjoy A Smooth Moving Experience
If you keep all of our tips in mind, you’ll enjoy a smooth and stress-free moving experience when relocating overseas to pursue your English teaching career. That leaves you free to focus on your exciting new role and all the rewarding experiences that you’re going to have in your new home!
We hope you found this blog post Tips For Moving Overseas To Start Your English Teaching Journey useful. Be sure to check out our post 8 Dos and Don’ts When Packing for an International Move for more great tips!
Have Experience in the Moving Industry? Want an Additional Income Stream? Work With All Around Moving!
Join our team today, you the experienced moving relocation consultant! We share profits 50-50 with you from all jobs you book with us. There are no recurring expenses, except purchasing your own leads. Click here to learn more.
