As human beings, we are not meant to stay in one area for too long. We have an obsession with going outside our comfort zones and reaching new horizons. This is one of the main reasons that many individuals find themselves taking a year abroad, whether it be for a year away from the university they are studying with or just a year to find themselves. There are lots of logistics when deciding to spend a year abroad. Keep reading to find out what things to prepare for before you depart.
Your Current Home
A lot of people seem to forget that they aren’t actually moving away full-time and that at some point they will be back in the same house that they are leaving. The smartest thing that you can do if you know that you will be moving away for a year and you own the property you are currently living in, is to organize a years lease for someone to rent the building. This is not only economical, but you are also able to make a profit off it, especially if you are staying somewhere popular, such as London. However, you must be wary about what you’re leaving in your home if you are going to rent it out, if there is anything that is close to your heart and you wouldn’t want to be damaged or stolen, you should look at storage in London to ensure its security.
Where Are You Going?
Before deciding to move abroad for a year, you should sit down and really think about where you are going to go for your year and ask yourself why you want to go here. Once you have narrowed down a few locations you should always look at current government restrictions; with COVID still extremely infectious in a number of countries, you do not want to get yourself settled on the idea of moving to an area where they are not letting anyone from outside their country in.
Decide Who You Are Traveling With
If you are a little bit anxious at the thought of traveling to a foreign country yourself, you should look at the possibility of bringing a friend. This could be extremely advantageous for you as it will reduce the chances of you being lonely on your trip, you will also be able to split the costs of everything and help each other out whenever you can. The most important benefit is that you can make each other feel safe. Beforehand though, make sure that you are both on the same page about where you want to travel and what you want to gain from the experience, as this can lead to unwanted arguments during the year abroad.
Organize Essentials
A checklist is the most important thing you could create for yourself if you plan on moving abroad for a year. In this checklist you should have all of the essentials that you will need in order to prepare yourself for the move. This checklist will include Healthcare – this simply means that you are going to the doctors beforehand and acquiring all of the correct vaccinations that you need and prescriptions. Travel insurance is also another big thing that you should organize before you leave. Ensure that the travel insurance you have purchased covers all basis for the type of adventure that you are planning. A passport is another important item that should be on your checklist; Most importantly, make sure you have it and it isn’t expired. Finally, prepare yourself for a culture shock. This is something that most people who live abroad are shocked the most about, different areas have different cultures. Whether it’s food, atmosphere, personalities etc, you must always be prepared.
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