8 Tips For a Stress-Free International Relocation

While it might not have been as common in the past, the 21^st century has ushered in a new age where people have considerably more freedom of mobility. Today, people are no longer confined to area codes or state lines. Instead, the modern world has become increasingly connected and digitized, opening new opportunities for people.

For instance, nearly nine million Americans live and work abroad. This figure doesn’t include military personnel stationed overseas. International relocations are becoming more common, particularly among the youth. For instance, some American students often attend universities and colleges abroad because tuition costs in the US continue to skyrocket. But they’re not alone in this boat. Working professionals are also joining them.

Many working professionals move abroad to further their career prospects. Moving abroad has never been easier, but that doesn’t mean the entire process isn’t without challenges. Ideally, you’ll want to hire a professional moving company for a stress-free international relocation.

Your first inclination might be to type in “International moving company near me” on Google, but consider Solomon & Sons Relocation Services if you’re in South Florida. Their reputation precedes them, and you’ll be in good hands.

If you’re not from South Florida, consider reading this article for some excellent tips to make your international relocation less stressful.

Tips for a Stress-Free International Relocation

Here are some tips to help keep your international relocation stress-free:

1. Only Focus on The Essentials

Relocating abroad can be expensive, especially if you try to take all your possessions with you. Therefore, focus only on the essentials. Declutter your home and select only the items and valuables you need.

2. Make Copies of Vital Documents

Losing your passport, ID card, or license is the last thing you want when relocating. Ensure you get multiple copies of official documents. In addition, scanning and saving them to the cloud is also a good idea because it allows you to retrieve them if you lose all your copies electronically.

3. Think About Your Driver’s License

Another thing to focus on when moving abroad is what you will do about your current transportation. The US is primarily car-centric, meaning you need a personal vehicle to travel conveniently. If you’re relocating abroad, your car will not be used for extended periods. Therefore, you have two options. You can either sell it or have it shipped to you where you’re relocating. The second option is extremely expensive, meaning it’s not worthwhile for most people.

You might need to purchase a car depending on where you’re relocating. For instance, European cities like Berlin and London have well-developed public transport infrastructure, meaning you can get by without a car. However, some places like the UAE or Qatar don’t have the same infrastructure, meaning you’ll likely need a car in these places.

You can’t drive a car without a driver’s license. The good news is that the US has agreements with some countries like Canada and Mexico, where both recognize the US Driver’s License as valid. It also has agreements with some other countries where US citizens can apply for a local driver’s license without taking any tests or examinations. Check if your destination country will allow you to drive with a US Driver’s License or require you to apply for a local one.

4. Select a Bank

Another good idea for a stress-free international relocation is carefully selecting a bank. Ideally, you’ll want to keep a US bank account when visiting home. In addition, it would also be useful for online transactions. However, you’ll also want to open a local bank account after relocating because international exchange rates constantly fluctuate.

5. Learn the Language a Little Before Moving

Moving to another country requires assimilating into its culture. You cannot expect to adapt to a new country if you don’t speak the language at all. Learning languages might not be your forte, but it has never been easier to learn a language than it is today. Applications like Duolingo and Memrise allow you to learn languages on your smartphone. You don’t have to be completely fluent in another language. However, it’ll make a world of difference if you can speak a few basic phrases and sentences.

Statistics show that nearly 1.5 billion people speak English fluently. However, not learning the local language will only be detrimental because it shows others that you aren’t trying to assimilate into their culture.

6. Be Social

Being social when you move abroad is important because you’ll quickly become lonely without your usual social circle. Think of it as restarting your life. You have to make new friends and acquaintances. One of the best ways to do so is by actively partaking in your favorite hobbies.

For instance, let’s assume you’re moving from South Florida to London, UK. You might have been regularly training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Florida. In such an instance, consider finding an MMA or BJJ gym near you in London. Meeting other people in the same classes as you will lead to repeated encounters, eventually culminating in friendships.

Another helpful tactic involves using the internet and social media to your advantage. For instance, try to find Facebook groups with similar interests in your new location. Likewise, you can also use platforms like Meetup to find groups, events, and activities that might interest you.

7. Have a Health Checkup Before Leaving

Depending on your home country and where you are moving, you might need proof of medical health, meaning you’ll need to undergo a full medical checkup before relocating. In addition, some instances might also require you to take immunizations. You’ll want to complete these before you travel because the results can take a few days.

If an employer is helping you relocate, consider asking the company’s liaison or human resources manager about all necessary health requirements before moving. Since you’re moving to a new country, taking prescriptions of any regular medicine you need might be a good idea because finding them there might be challenging.

8. Bring Some Memorabilia

It’s easy to get homesick when you’re far away from home. Humans are creatures of comfort and familiarity. Bringing some memorabilia with you can help. It can be something as simple as a photo frame or as complex as a grandfather clock or some other family heirloom that has been passed down through generations. Consider working with an international mover to protect these belongings.

Conclusion

Moving abroad can be challenging. However, that doesn’t mean the entire process must be hectic or stressful. Follow the tips listed in this article to attain some peace of mind as you prepare for the next chapter of your life.