Preparations for moving to a foreign country

Moving to a foreign country is quite an event. You will want not only to be ready for the inevitable cultural shock, but you will also want to know how to adapt to new lifestyles. This short guide is here to help you on your way. Moving to a foreign country has never been as easy as it is today, yet it is still a daunting challenge for many people, and not without good reason. But before you plan your relocation from Brazil to the US or the other way around, you need to get ready. So, here’s what you need to know to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Learn about the foreign country you are moving to

This doesn’t mean you should go to the library and borrow 50 books and academic journals. That would be considered too much. However, you should certainly use the Internet – it’s already got everything you need. Things you want to find out before moving to a foreign country are:

• What’s the political situation? The main motive behind this question is, is the country stable? Does it have trade agreements with other nations? Does it have any territorial feuds with other countries? This shouldn’t discourage you, but it’s certainly something that you should know.
• How about economics? Economics can get boring. But, you should still take a look at how well the country’s economy is performing. For example, is there a steady supply of all resources you might need? Is there a shortage? How well does it compare on a global scale? How high are the taxes? You should take a look at some simple, but telling, macroeconomic indicators, such as unemployment rate and gross domestic product.
• What’s legal and what’s not? In the USA, driving under influence will get you jail time. In Ecuador, however, even first-time offenders face a firing squad. I’m not saying that’s going to happen to you, but you should definitely learn what you should and what you shouldn’t do when you’re in another country. For example, South Korean waiters and waitresses might get offended if you tip them – their wages are much higher than in the US.

Prepare for moving to a foreign country by looking for a job

This, of course, largely depends on your profession in your native country. Labor markets differ by country, and, of course, unless you have a pile of cash, you will need a job. That’s why you have to research a country’s labor market. You will have to understand some basics about the country’s economy, but you need to specifically focus on what does the country need. For example, if you’re moving to Brazil from Canada, you will find out that you’re all set if you’re a lawyer or an accountant.

If all else fails, learn a trade skill – finding a job after moving to a foreign country will never be hard.

There is a huge demand for both of these, especially in big cities, such as Rio and Sao Paulo. Demand for a certain profession creates jobs – that and nothing else. If people want a sweet new gadget, Apple sales will go through the roof. And if foreign investors in a developing country need reliable lawyers and accountants, that will make the demand for those that much higher. When moving to a foreign country, make sure that you have at least several jobs for which you will apply.

Before moving to a foreign country, learn about the country’s culture

Seeing the marvels of the world for the first time is quite an eye-opener. Wherever they are from, people learn about their own culture in school and not much else. That is quite unfortunate and a person needs to travel far and wide to get to know other cultures. Simply put, Americans learn about George Washington, Kennedy, Abe Lincoln and the Constitution. The French learn about 1793, Napoleon and Louis XIV. The Russians learn about Peter the Great, the October Revolution and Dostoyevsky…

It would be disrespectful not to show some appreciation for foreign culture and history.

We could go on like this forever, and this goes to show how rich human cultures are. So, before moving to a foreign country, it is the right time to step out a forced narrow worldview and start learning about your destination. Everyone knows what the Eiffel Tower is, but, do you know…

• Where is the Terracotta Army?
• Who built Angkor Wat?
• What is the Valley of the Kings?
• Who discovered Mycenaea?

If you know the answers, congratulations! If you do not – it doesn’t matter. Google it and you will have broadened your horizons and enriched your mind by a little bit. You will be more prepared for moving to a foreign country.

Finally, prepare yourself and your wardrobe

You may be moving to a land of different culture, a different set of values and, you guessed by the title, different weather. Let’s say, you’re moving from the US to Brazil (or the opposite). You know that the weather is different, but you decide to cram your coffers full with your old stuff anyway.

You can always buy more things once you arrive, right? Wrong. As your international movers Brazil will tell you, it may actually not be the best idea. You see, once you arrive, you will have responsibilities, such as finding a stable income, moving in, making friends (yes – you should absolutely do that!)… You shouldn’t be doing any of that while being soaked in sweat. For that reason, you should look at the weather in your destination country and prepare accordingly.

That being said, you should take some time to enjoy your last few days in your original country and reflect on what you will actually do once you arrive. This is an opportunity for you to start anew somewhere far away, so why not make the best of it?