If you are thinking about emigrating at some point in the future, then you will have probably spent a lot of time thinking about all of the paperwork that needs to be done, and the legal aspects of your move. While this is of course something that you do need to think about, there are also other things to consider – which will ultimately have a huge effect on just how successful your emigration experience is. Putting the legal issues to one side, this article will give you the tips that the experts probably haven’t, meaning that your move should run smoothly.
Get to know your new home
You will probably know all of the stereotypes of living in the country that you’re moving to, but what about the reality? Where will you go to buy milk? Where are the best spots for a Sunday morning walk? You need to know all of the little things, and for this reason doing lots of research about where you are going to live is definitely something that you need to do. You can never get too much information – so use tourist websites, local guides and even neighbourhood social networking groups to see what is available in the place that you are moving to.
Make lists – lots of them
Nothing is worse than having such a big event happen in your life, and then find that lots of little things go wrong because you have missed out tiny things that all add up to make a big difference. Keep a notebook by the side of your bed as soon as you have decided that you are definitely going to make the move – because you will likely wake up in the middle of the night with a million and one things that you have just remembered. If you don’t write them down, you will forget them by morning. If you are moving away with family, encourage them to make lists, too, every time they think of something to do with the move.
Help your child to settle in
Sometimes, when you make such a huge move, children and their feelings can get side-lined, because everybody is so busy trying to make sure that everything works in the best way for them. For this reason, you should make the children a priority, and ensure that they have settled in as soon as possible. This could include things like decorating their bedroom first, taking them out on trips to get to know their new home, or starting new traditions – like doing the same thing every Saturday morning. The sooner they are settled, the sooner they will be able to thrive.
Visit new schools/workplaces
Although it isn’t easy to visit another country, particularly if it is on the other side of the world, it is always advisable to pay a visit to your child’s new school or your place of work before you move. There is every chance that it might look good on paper, but if you get there and hate it then you may struggle to find somewhere else, and because of this you might be disappointed that you made the move at all. This disappointment can be heart breaking, so never underestimate the importance of seeing the place that you are moving to before you get there.
Get to know new people
When you arrive in a new place, it may be tempting to throw every bit of energy into unpacking – and it can also be common for you to spend a lot of time talking to the people who stayed at home. However, you should try to avoid doing this if you can, and make sure that you try to meet new people right from the start. These are the people who are likely to be your friends in your new life, and they will be able to provide an excellent support network whenever you need them. With this being the case, it is great to join groups or go to clubs, as you will be able to meet people with whom you have things in common.
When making such a huge move, it can be easy to get so carried away with the legal aspects that you forget completely about the practicalities and social parts of moving away from your home country. With this being true, it is great to think about some of the tips in this article, as it should mean that you are able to enjoy a much smoother transition, which will give you a more positive experience in general.
