Coping with a new move
Working abroad in a new and exotic destination, while exploring a different culture and meeting new people, can be the ultimate lifetime adventure for many. But like any great trip, there are a million and one things to think about before and after you've made it to your new destination.
People can usually spend months planning and preparing for their move abroad. Besides picking the right destination whether moving on your own or with your company, there are visas to consider, as well as flights, relocating your household goods, travel insurance, home sale and search, navigating coronavirus regulations and travel complications, spousal and family support, language training — the list goes on… It’s enough to stress even the most organized person out.
3 Expat Experts Chime In
So how do you deal with the anxieties and possible depression when it comes to moving abroad in this new world? We've sourced experts from three very different fields – a psychologist, a relocations expert and an author on the topic – who have given us exclusive tips on how to cope.
The trio, who have all moved home, show how place attachment can happen anywhere we live, and not just where we’re raised. Which means there is hope for everyone.
Want to find your happy place? Then take a few notes from these experts.
Dr Alesia Moulton-Perkins, Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Cognitive Behavior Therapist
New hometown: Normandy, France
Prepare yourself mentally for a challenge
Don’t expect moving to a new home abroad to be a walk in the park, expect it to be tough and prepare yourself.
Melody Warnick, author of This Is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are
New hometown: Virginia, USA
Be helpful
Finding a way to deepen your engagement with the community and what's going on there is vital. Volunteering, for instance, deepens our engagement with the place where we live and gives us a sense of ownership. You start to think: “This is my place; I care about what happens here.”
Joanne Danehl, Global Director – Global Skills, Crown World Mobility & Crown Relocations
New hometown: Chicago, USA
Learn the language
Learning the language is incredibly important, and not just because of the need to communicate but also to provide a glimpse into the country’s culture.
For more helpful tips from these experts and more, download the full article here.
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Tips for making your move simpler
We've hand-picked Top Relocation Tips from some of our moving experts around the world. Highlighted below are a few of those tips.
A Good Tape Measure
Before moving to a new residence, get yourself a durable tape measure. Size up the windows, walls, stairways and doorways. Avoid nasty surprises, make sure your furniture and other items can fit!
Contributed by: Nadine, Mobility Advisor, Hong Kong
Contributed by: Nadine, Mobility Advisor, Hong Kong
Setting up Electronics
Electronics set up is a challenge. Before dismantling electronics, take a picture of your cables, this way you'll know how to reconnect all the cords and cables when you arrive.
Contributed by: Lekha, Mobility Advisor, New Delhi
Offline Maps
Online map services like Google Maps are great. Remember to download an offline version of your location just in case you don't have WiFi or mobile data when you arrive.
Contributed by: Anthony, Sales Manager, India
Fixing Furniture
If your wooden furniture has holes, cracks or grooves you can repair by applying a lump-free mixture of white glue and sawdust using a spatula. Almost good as new.
Contributed by: Lesile, Mobility Advisor, Mexico City
To view more of our 20 Top Relocation Tips click here.
See more tips!