10 To-Dos Before Moving Abroad

Today is the day, I’m moving to Germany to begin college (hello from the United Lounge)! While I’m excited, I’ve also been quite busy these past few days. There’s a lot to get done before going somewhere far away (especially if your respite there doesn’t have an end date), and I’ve been scrambling to make sure everything is in place. Today I present to you a list of things that I, and I believe you too (if you are moving abroad) should keep in mind and take care of, no matter how small some of them are.

1. Sort out documents and paperwork. This includes visas, leases (old an new), and contracts for jobs. For example, I’m lucky and skipped the visas (I’m an EU citizen), but enrolled online at my university, have sorted out an apartment, and have looked up which documents I will need on hand when it comes to future enrollments and signings. Make sure things are ready when you arrive, and that you have the right paperwork prepared.
2. Set up a bank account & acquire currency. Last thing that you want is to be stranded with no money upon arrival. Setting up a bank account in the country you are moving to in advance is also a good idea, because many leases require proof of payment found within the country.
3. Get insurance & find some good doctors. Enrolling at my school required me to have health insurance, which is makes me glad I got it taken care of early. Set it up so that you’re never stuck in a sticky situation. Ask your doctors at home if they know doctors in the place you’re moving to, or ask around if you have friends in the city. Don’t want to wait for a chipped tooth to begin seeking out a dentist!
4. Make sure your passports are up to date. Many countries won’t let you enter with a passport that expires within the next six months, so keep your eyes on that date. Get it renewed at home if it is about to run out, or check if you have a consulate to see to that in the city you’re moving to.
5. Stock up on medication. From prescriptions to daily allergy medication, make sure you take some along! Most likely they’ll have ibuprofen where you’re going, but just take things you know work for you. For example, I get migraines and only Excedrin will take care of them, so I always make sure to have some in stock.
6. Pick up some food you’ll miss or might not be able to buy abroad. Being allergic to nuts, I always make a Trader Joes run to get myself some sunflower butter (either very hard to find or very expensive in Europe). Having these little things from home will ease any homesickness in the beginning and can be helpful if you have allergies but are unable to read labels in the beginning.
7. Check what your internet connection will be like. This one might not be so important for some, but I know that for me I need it to keep in touch with family and friends (I text my parents almost every day, no shame). If you won’t have wifi, getting an ethernet cable to connect your laptop is usually a possibility and won’t leave you stranded.
8. Make sure your phone will work abroad. Either get a contract which will allow you to communicate while or, or, what I recommend, get an unlocked phone and buy a new SIM card when you arrive. Most iPhones can be unlocked for around $80, or just buy yourself a new phone abroad.
9. Read up, get excited! After all, you are moving abroad and this is a great big (and hopefully fun) adventure! Ask around on social media, talk to friends, buy a book, anything! Before moving to Paris I read books about the city (see here for my recommendations!) and they got me even more happy about moving to France.
10. When in doubt, leave it out. Moving abroad is a fresh start, and you don’t want to bring too much stuff. Fill the empty spaces in your suitcase(s) with the special items you’ll pick up throughout the time your away, those things will be so much more special (I promise!).

And I have to leave for boarding now. Thank you as always for reading, and I will see you all on the other side of the pond!

Love, Julia