Moving from one country to another is a challenge and if you are moving abroad for university or a job relocation, it can be overwhelming. With this checklist, you will be able to easily transition without fear, safe in the knowledge that you have everything you need for those first few days and weeks in your new country…
Preparing to travel
The act of leaving one country for another is not easy and your luggage is an important factor. Of course, you can fit much of your wardrobe into suitcases, but any larger items will need to be shipped. You’ll need a professional service to arrange that so check out Unibaggage.com for information and advice on what you can and can’t ship to a different country. In case your shipment is delayed, you can be prepared by keeping the following items in your carry on bag.
- Two change of clothes, including socks and underwear and shoes
- Travel-size toiletries kit with shaving supplies, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, deodorant, mouthwash, and contact lens cleaner if you wear contacts
- Passport
- Student ID or state ID
- Visa
- Copy of your birth certificate
- Immunisation records
- Copy of your prescriptions from your doctor or pharmacy
- Medications you must take
- At least £200 in traveller’s cheques, and a small amount of cash in case you need to pay for something like a taxi or train.
- Computer, tablet, cell phone, and all the chargers
- Electrical adapters for the country you’re going to
- Blow-dryer
- A warm jumper or light jacket
- An emergency contact list
- Copy of medical insurance cards
- College information if you are moving for university including your acceptance letter to prove why you are moving to the new country
- A copy of everything in your wallet. If your wallet is stolen or lost, you will need the numbers from the cards to quickly have them cancelled and reissued. The phone numbers and the account number speed things along. Protein bars, and a bottle of water.
This bag will get you through a day or two. Make sure the clothing you are wearing can be swapped for a different look with the outfit in your carry-on.
Before you leave
- Contact your bank and let them know about the move so they will not see unusual charges and lock your account. Find out if they do business in the country you are going to. If they do not, you may want to consider changing banks before you leave.
- Visit your doctor if you need regular medication. You should travel with a 3-month supply. Arrange medical insurance, as it is extremely important to think about this in advance and to have at least part of the costs covered when going to another country.
- Arrange a mail redirection with the post office to send post from your old address on to a forwarding address (a relative, perhaps).
- Cancel any subscriptions that you will no longer use.
- Cancel memberships to the gym or any clubs or sports teams you are a member of.
- Arrange with the power company when to have your utilities shut off. Do the same with your internet and television providers.
- Give a copy of your itinerary for the first week to someone you trust, in case that they need to contact you.
- Make and confirm reservations for your hotel and for a rental car if needed. Be sure you’ve got a map of the area, too.
- Take the time to learn about the monetary value of each bill and coin. Learn enough of the language to get to by and download apps that will help with communication.
And finally, don’t take anything with you that you do not absolutely need. Have a car boot sale or donate your stuff to a charity shop. You can buy whatever you need abroad and paying to ship something that you have not touched in the last 6-months would be a waste of money. Let me know your advice for making a move abroad in the comments below – I’d love to hear where you moved to and how you got on 🙂
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