Preparing for a Great Adventure: Helpful Tips for Moving Abroad

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• An international move is an exciting prospect,
  promising a rewarding new job, peaceful
  retirement, or some other dream fulfilled (true
  love?). Whatever the case, a drastic change of
  lifestyle goes along with the experience.
• Careful preparation and choosing the right moving
  company will ease the transition for you and your
  family once you arrive in your new country.
• The more lead time you have, the better prepared
  you will be. Use these helpful tips to plan your
  relocation.

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• Avoid culture shock by starting well ahead of
  moving day to learn more about your new country.
  Take some language courses to communicate on a
  basic level.
• You may feel you are speaking like a
  five-year-old, but youll be amazed at how doors
  open when you attempt to speak to people in their
  own language.
• Until you are acclimated, avoid slang and stick
  to safe, non-offensive phrases for basic
  communication.

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• Learn subtle differences in how people
  communicate within cultures. For example,
  personal space is judged differently in many
  European countries than in North America.
• Europeans typically stand closer together when
  speaking, while Americans back away to speak
  one-on-one. As a result, a strange two-step dance
  develops during cross-cultural communication.
• Touching is anotherwell, touchysubject. Casual
  American culture is relaxed about a gentle pat on
  the back in conversation, while Middle Eastern
  cultures have very strict limitations.

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• Getting documents in order can be a long, tedious
  process, so start early by learning what is
  required from your current country and your new
  one.
• Then, apply, request copies, and follow up.
  Packing and moving will be challenging enough, so
  make sure you arent hung up by lacking the right
  piece of paper.
• Keep extra copies of everything back home.
• Here is a partial list of documents youll need
• visa and passport forms for your current country
  of residence and your intended one
• legal documents like your will, a power of
  attorney, and ownership records.

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• List prescriptions that you or family members
  will need. Order extras, but first, check on the
  maximum limits to bringing prescription drugs
  into the country.
• Determine required shots and bring proof of
  vaccinations.
• Review current health insurance policies to learn
  what is covered overseas. Investigate short-term
  insurance for at least your first year to help
  with out-of-pocket costs (covered costs could
  take months to be reimbursed).
• Bring extra contact lenses and eyeglasses.

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• Never simple for most of us, handling finances
  and keeping track of cash flow is a bigger
  challenge when living abroad.
• Establish in-country banking in your new
  location, which will require research and study
  before making a choice, and open an account
  before your move, if possible.
•  How will you pay bills from abroad? Check for
  added fees and be aware of exchange rates, plus
  the cost for paying with dollars versus local
  currency. Bring a combination of travelers
  checks and credit cards for travel needs.
• You may be moving to paradise, but remember the
  two things you can always count on in life (one
  of them is taxes). Prepare to submit your annual
  tax documents back home, and learn which forms
  you are expected to file in your new country.

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• Deciding what to bring vs. place in storage is
  more complicated internationally. Your choice
  depends on the destination country, and on how
  reliant you are on your own furnishings and car.
• Check the availability of specific items there,
  such as
• Cars - shipping a car could be more costly than
  storing one here. European cars are a better
  choice as they are small and suited to getting
  around in old European cities. Check on U.S.
  Customs requirements and guidelines for shipping
  cars overseas, along with possible port duties at
  the other end.
• Furnishings - a furnished rental could meet your
  needs and simplify establishing a new household.
  Costs might be higher than renting unfurnished,
  but remember to add the cost of storage at home.

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• The complexities of relocating people, furniture,
  cars, and whole lives between countries could be
  a nightmare, or an exciting adventure. A lot
  depends on the vendor you choose to rely on for
  the crucial steps of packing, crating, and
  unpacking your precious belongings.
• Check that your mover has deep experience and
  knowledge of your destination country, and can
  advise you on
• shipping methods, like air, sea, or ground
  options
• customs requirements
• insurance for your belongings while in transit
  and storage.
• Finally, ask for referrals from past clients who
  have successfully moved to your new location.

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Shleppers has served New York, the Eastern
seaboard, and now, the entire U.S. with
long-distance and international moves since 1978.
Meet with a Shleppers consultant to plan a safe,
timely international delivery. We offer complete
packing and preparation services, air, sea or
ground options, and help with customs planning
and clearance. Contact us at http//www.shleppers
.com/ or call today at 1-800-769-9337.
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1. http//www.shleppers.com/ 2.
http//home.howstuffworks.com/real-estate/moving-t
ips/5-things-you-should-do-before-you-move-abroad.
htmpage2 3. http//moving.about.com/od/internati
onalmoves/bb/overseas_howto.htm 4.
http//travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/
go/checklist.html
SOURCES