Moving to Another Country? Make It Smooth With This Checklist

Justlearn

10/15/2020

8 minute read

So, you've decided to move abroad.

Do you know what you need when moving to another country?

Whether you are moving to another country alone or not, it's a life-changing decision. It takes a lot of courage to move abroad, especially someplace where locals speak a different language from your own.

On another hand, the challenges of moving to another country are endless.

It's quite an adventure and once-in-a-lifetime experience that not many people can do.

It can be hard at the start, but once you overcome those difficulties, you can live a happy life and feel like you belong.

But, before we get to that point when you feel like at home, let's first see what you need to do to or prepare before you move.

Our 'Moving to another country' checklist can help you with that. You can download it at the end of the article.

Let’s dive in.

Things to Do Before Moving to Another Country

Depending on which country you are moving to, this list isn't definite, so feel free to add more things.

Learn the Language

When you move to a country where locals speak a language different from yours, you should start learning the language or at least the basics of that language. Learning these first 100 words and phrases in a foreign language can be helpful for a start.

It doesn't mean that you can learn the language overnight. You have to be prepared weeks, even months before you leave your home country.

Native speakers can always be very helpful, and if they are teachers, like Justlearn tutors, you are very lucky. They will teach you the language and give you some tips on what life looks like in your target country.

Ask Natives About Anything You Want to Know

Today, a lot of groups on social media can be quite helpful.

Search for them, join, and ask natives about every single detail you want to know.

Don't be shy. All those people in groups are there to help you.

You surely aren't the first person moving to another country, so you can get some useful advice on bureaucracy or renting an apartment.

Check all the Papers

Before you seat on a plane, make sure that your documents are in order.

It means the following:

Make sure your passport is valid.
Check out if you need a visa, or perhaps some special visa. If you do, solve it in time.
See if you have insurance, especially health insurance. If you need to pay any additional fee, make sure you've got all checked.

Find a Job

To avoid the stress about your finances, think about finding a job.

Check out whether your visa supports working in the country you are moving to. Perhaps you have to fill out some additional papers or to inform someone from the bureaucracy office. Don't forget to investigate every single detail.
Consider saving some money before you move. If you’re not moving because of a job, we suppose you won't search for a job immediately after you land. That’s why you should make sure you have enough money at the start.
Consult with people who already work over there, ask for their experience, and some useful advice.

Find a Place to Live

It may be a bit challenging to find a place to live in, but thanks to the internet, you’ll find it more easily.

So, before you leave, you should have a place where you're going to live.

That means that you have to do the following:

Decide in which part of the city/ town you want to live. Set your priorities according to your financial situation. Do you want to live in a calm environment or downtown where everything is near, and you won't need a ride?

Make sure you're renting a place with furniture. If an apartment is empty, decide whether there is an option to rent furniture, to buy in second-hand shops, or some other way.

Ask the landlord what’s included in the rent price. Do you have electricity, gas, water, internet, or telephone, etc?

What to Expect After Moving to Another Country?

From the moment you land, everything will be different and magnificent.

That feeling will accompany you the first several days upon your arrival.

However, you will have to do some checking before you relax and start your 'new life.'

Solve the Bureaucracy

When you arrive, the first thing you have to do is to visit the authorities. It means that you have to do some paperwork.

Ask for help if you have to sign up for insurance.
Check out whether you need a tax number.
Ask if you need to register somewhere.

Move Into Your Apartment

To make you feel better because you'll probably become homesick at one point, make sure you do the following things:

When you arrive, get the keys from your landlord, even the spare ones.
Unpack yourself and set the place the way you like it. Set the apartment to make you feel comfortable.
Check out the neighborhood, look where people are buying bread and milk, or the nearest bus station.

Make New Friends

If you're moving to another country alone, making new friends among the locals is the first thing we suggest you do.

Ask in groups on social media, such as Facebook, fun places, cafés, or bars to meet new people.
Take the initiative. Visit the recommended places and start a conversation with people over there. Don't be shy; locals love foreign people. They can help you meet their culture, way of life, or recommend places you should visit.
Find out where are events you're interested in. People with similar hobbies understand each other better. Whether it's about flowers, visiting galleries, clubbing, or reading books, find people that share your interests.

Practice the Language Every Day

The hardest but most effective way to learn the language is to immerse yourself. And what a better way to master the language than to speak with natives every day.

Make friends and practice the language. While making friends among locals, you practice the language at the same time. This way, you don't learn the language on your own but with native speakers' help.
Speak the target language from the moment you get up until you go to bed. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Locals are compassionate, especially if a stranger wants to speak their native language. They will help you when you get stuck, explain some of the idioms, and even help you with the pronunciation.
Practice the language with Justlearn tutors. If you are really shy and you simply can get over the thought that you'll say something wrong, practice with professional teachers, who can help you relax a bit.

Embrace New Customs and Enjoy

Moving to another country is a perfect opportunity to try new things, especially those that concern the country you're moved to.

Try the local cuisine. Every country has something special about their dishes. Check out the most famous dishes, and don't hesitate to try.
Learn about new customs. Whether it's about different ways to say yes or how to speak to the people you don't know, be open to all that is new.
Don't be afraid of making mistakes. Whether it's while speaking the language or the way you've behaved, don't forget that you're still learning the country's habits and customs.