Moving On Out - Top Ten Things To Take With You When You Move To Your New Teaching Job Abroad

Once you've secured your new teaching job abroad, you'll probably have several months to get yourself organized before taking up the post. Here are the top ten things you need to take with you when you move overseas. Read this now as some of these can take time to prepare properly!

1. Passport (valid for at least the length of your contract)

You may think this is an obvious one considering we're talking about relocating your whole life to another country. Tell me, do you know when your passport expires? Mine expires in 2015.

Depending on where you're living, a new passport may take up to 6 months to get. It's not wise to rely on the 'estimated turn around' time on the form as in the past both the UK and the USA have had extremely long delays in issuing new passports to their citizens. Of course, if you're running short of time you can usually apply for an express service, at a ridiculously inflated cost.

So, go now and check when your passport expires.

It's better for you to have a passport that's valid for the length of your contract because it's a real pain to have to get a new one issued from a consulate or embassy abroad. Trust me; I've had to do it!

2. Original documents that prove who you are and what you know

Government departments don't tend to accept copies of foreign identification or certification documents. Ensure that you take all your original documentation. If you don't have it, then get it.

It's always good to keep a copy at home too, either with a family member, a lawyer or in a safety deposit box, so if you can, get duplicate originals. An extra set is insurance against theft, fire or natural disaster and makes good sense.

You'll need:

* Birth certificate

* Marriage certificate

* Police clearance certificate

* Degree certificates

* Teacher certification

* Recommendation letters

3. Medical records and adequate supplies of medications

Anyone in your family that has an ongoing medical condition should request a copy of their medical records. For your children you should have or get a copy of their vaccination record.

Take at least a two month supply of your regular medications with you. This will give you adequate time to check out the medical services in your new country and register with a physician.

Some medications are sold under alternative brand names in different countries, so ask your doctor for alternative names before you leave. It took me ages to figure out that Tylenol was the American brand name for paracetamol.

4. Vaccinations and a vaccination certificate

You are going to be living and working abroad, which means that you'll be exposed to all sorts of new organisms. Check with your doctor or with a travel clinic to see what vaccinations are recommended for the country to which you're moving and be sure to let them know that you'll be living there long term rather than just going on holiday for a week or two. If you're traveling to Thailand for a holiday the recommended vaccinations are different to the ones recommended if you're staying here a while.

Get a vaccination certificate to prove what vaccinations you've had and ask your health professional to make a note of when you'll need to get any booster shots. Many vaccinations are good for a number of years, but some need a series of shots before you are covered for any appreciable length of time.

5. Emergency numbers

This is another one that may seem obvious to you, but guess what, you don't need only your Mum's phone number for checking in once you arrive.

You need to take these contact numbers with you, at least:

* A responsible member of your family

* Your bank

* Your credit card company

* Your insurance company

* Your Doctor

* Your travel agent

Now, you can probably find most if not all of this on the internet. But in an emergency, like your wallet being stolen, do you really want the hassle?

6. International Driver's License

An international driver's license is not a new license and doesn't require you to take a driving test.. It's a document that you use abroad to make your national driver's license acceptable to foreign officials. An international driver's license is a little booklet that you hand over with your license when it's requested.

Essentially it's a translation of your license into a number of prominent world languages so that officials in other countries can figure out what kind of vehicles your driver's license permits you to drive.

Even if you don't intend driving overseas, it's a good document to have because you never know what the future holds.

7. Contact details of the school, a copy of your teaching contract and a copy of all the communication you've had with the school (this can be in digital format)

It would be a nightmare to get to a foreign country and realize you don't actually have the phone number or address of the school that's supposed to be employing you, don't you think? Most likely, the school will have some kind of orientation programme in place to help you get settled in, and this may even mean someone meeting you at the airport. But, in case they don't turn up, have the school's contact details handy.

You should have a copy of your teaching contract to take with you. It's good to have a copy so that you can check your conditions and stand up for yourself if you feel you are not getting what was promised.

When I moved out to Thailand, I also made sure I had copies of all the emails that I had received. I gradually deleted them as I settled into Bangkok and acted on all the advice I'd received prior to making the move.

8. Your children's school records

Your children will probably be attending the same school where you'll be working. Take all their reports and transcripts with you so that you can ensure they get placed in the correct levels. Knowing as much as possible about your child will help the school's administrators and counselors plan a suitable orientation programme for them.

9. A guide book, culture shock book

Don't leave home without a guide book! Take some time looking at different brands of travel guide. Different brands have different styles. I prefer a different brand for traveling than staying long term because of the depth of information provided.

The Culture Shock series is superb. Get the one for the country or region you're moving to and read it from cover to cover. You'll get an insight into the cultural norms for the society you are moving into, and can prevent you from making any disastrous faux pas that could ruin your first few months abroad. First impressions count, make sure your first impression is a good one by doing some research.

10. Email addresses, mailing addresses and phone numbers of the friends and colleagues you're leaving behind

I also took the leaving cards I received from friends and colleagues. You may be tempted to pack these in your shipping or even throw them out. However, if you have enjoyed a great relationship with your colleagues then you will miss them. I found that having a reminder of them around me when I was dealing with the initial stages of culture shock reminded me of the good things I'd left behind, but also all the stuff I didn't like! It helped me to refocus on the reasons I had moved my career overseas!

Having been a global nomad for more than 10 years now, I've found that staying in touch with friends and colleagues at home is really up to me. I haven't stayed in touch with any of the fabulous people I met and got to know in the first 6-7 years of teaching abroad, and it's mostly my fault because I didn't make any effort.

I've been much more conscientious in recent years and I believe it's worth it. I love catching up with old friends when I go back to places I've lived before; I always have a plethora of places to stay and have even hosted some of my friends when they've visited my new home.

Bonus Tip for Women!

Check whether you can buy tampons where you're going! There are a number of countries in Asia and the Middle East that don't stock tampons on supermarket or chemist shelves. Check, check and check again if you're a tampon user!

Anyone sending me a package knows that they should use tampons as packing material rather than Styrofoam chips!

Kelly Blackwell is an international teacher with more than 10 years experience teaching abroad, click here to get her monthly newsletter and kick-start your own international teaching career! [http://www.teachoverseas.info/freenewsletter.html] Avoid the mistakes other international teachers have made by learning from the experts [http://www.teachoverseas.info/overseasteacherstalk.html].

Shipping Overseas to Greece: Important Things to Know About Cargo Shipping

Learning the custom and import rules for Greece can help save time and money when you are moving overseas. The import regulations for shipping to Greece are simple to follow if you plan ahead. Greece, which has over a thousand islands, has one of the longest coast lines in the world, therefore shipping your belongings overseas should be easy with the help of an international cargo shipping company.

You can ship household items duty free to Greece if you have a residence permit before you arrive. In order to qualify for a residence permit, you must either be:

1) Of Greek descent

2) Married to a Greek citizen, or

3) In possession of a work permit granted by the Greek government

If you qualify for a Certificate of Repatriation, you are allowed to bring certain items to Greece duty-free. For example, if you are Greek but you have worked out of the country for a few years, you can begin the repatriation process. This requires that you have a Greek Tax number by the time your items are entering the country through customs. You will need to contact the nearest Greek consulate in order to receive a duty-free certificate.

Currently, it may be difficult to obtain an employment visa in Greece. Greece has been hit particularly hard by the worldwide recession and is experiencing high rates of unemployment, especially for the youth. An employment visa can only be obtained if an individual already has a contract to work for a company in Greece or they are being transferred to a branch of their company in Greece. The employer must first prove though that a Greek national or European Union national is not able to fill the position. If you do qualify to work in Greece, you can work with the Greek consulate to obtain the correct visa.

The duty-free tax relief does not count toward any items that have commercial value, determined by customs officials by the type of item and the quantity. Alcohol and tobacco products are not duty-free; you will have to declare them at customs. Greece also places restrictions on a few items which you cannot bring into the country including:


Weapons
Drugs
Meat or dairy products

Only one of each electronic item is duty free. However, if you can provide a justification, such as family size, for having two or more of any one item, it is possible that those items can also be duty-free.

You can only make one duty-free shipment to Greece, so make sure to pack everything you need in one trip. You must be present at customs with your passport in order to receive clearance on your shipment. In order for all household items to remain duty-free, you cannot sell, give or lend any of the items for one year after import. If any of your imported items are sold or lent, you must pay the original custom taxes and you will have to make an overdue payment from the time it was first imported.

People who are moving to Greece to study can also import items related to their education duty free. Students can import clothes, furniture, and school related items such as calculators and books.

Interested in shipping a car to Greece? Vehicles can be imported to Greece duty free if you have owned the vehicle for at least six months. New vehicles will be subject to value added tax or VAT. You must also pay for license plates for all vehicles that you ship overseas and import to Greece. Just as with household goods, you cannot sell, give or lend anyone your vehicle for at least five years after importation or you will be subject to the original import taxes. In fact, no one other than a direct family member can drive the car for any reason or you could be subject to the original import taxes.

You can import a household pet when you are moving to Greece. All pets imported to Greece must be microchipped for identification purposes. All pets must be vaccinated against rabies. If you are moving overseas and bringing a pet to Greece, your pet will need a blood test, taken at least thirty days after the vaccination, in order to make sure the vaccine is working and protecting the animal. Finally, all pets must travel in a cage with the owner's name, postal address and telephone number listed on the outside.

Finally, before you move to or even visit Greece, you will need to have a yellow fever vaccine which you can get from a travel clinic is your area.

Moving to Greece is a great opportunity to live or work abroad. While moving a household to a new country can be stressful, knowing what you can and cannot bring with you will make it easier to relocate. Making a detailed packing list and packing similar items close together will make it easier to go through customs. An international shipping company can help you obtain all the correct paperwork to help make your move to Greece much easier.

Based about 30 miles north of Miami, Florida, Cargo Experts was formed by a team of moving professionals and cargo shippers who are committed to delivering outstanding customer service as they take care of all the details involved in your overseas cargo shipping. Ms. Bodner works with Cargo Experts and has many years of experience in international cargo shipping. Visit http://www.cargo-experts.net/about.aspx for more information about international cargo shipping services, including a free online quote for your international cargo shipping. For more information, call toll free at 1-866-994-7822.

Things to Consider Before Moving Overseas

Anyone moving overseas will find that there is great deal of things to consider before and during your international move. Some countries may not have some of the services that we are used to having in the states which means that you ether have to travel for these services or settle for the closest alternative.

Medical services are necessary to maintain your overall health and well-being. Although you may be able to find clinics and hospitals in the event of an emergency, specialized practices like optometrists and dentists should be carefully researched especially if you are moving in the middle of a treatment. A great way to make sure that you are able to get these services overseas is to check with your current physician to find out about a possible referral.

Financial services may be a lot different in other countries so it may be a good idea to find out if your bank offers services in your target location. Some banks have worldwide branches in most countries for your convenience when traveling. Most banks will arrange to have your funds transferred to another bank if you request it. Be sure that you thoroughly investigate the bank that you choose to use because the laws and financial insurance may differ in outside of the United States.

One thing that is often overlooked is your brand of moving services. Choosing the right movers can really make the difference when moving internationally. Some movers only offer moving services within the country while others may be limited in their ability to handle the entire move, which means you, may be referred to a third party company. If you do find an international moving company remember that moving company insurance is something that cannot be overlooked. The chance of you losing all of your possessions during international shipping is higher that they are when moving within the states.

Much like within the states you need to make sure that your documents are up to par. Some foreign governments will not hesitate to deport you if your paperwork is not legal. If you plan to be a permanent resident in another country, you will need to have the right paperwork to qualify for any of their benefits. Finding employment may not be possible without the legal documents.

If possible, you should pay a visit to your target destination for a better feel for what your future is going to be like. By visiting, you can check out the local customs and cultures that you may not be able to find in a book or travel guide. You should also use this opportunity to meet as many people as possible; having a few friends that speak the language can come in handy once you finally move there.

Contact American Van Lines for expert relocation services throughout the United States; we have nationwide locations to better serve you. For expert movers in your area, visit AmericanVanLines.com.

Sometimes It's Smart to Travel With More: 6 Things to Pack If You Are Moving Overseas

Though we've all been told the benefits of traveling light, when you are moving overseas, it is sometimes wise to ignore this popular advice, at least for certain household and personal items. Depending on where you are heading, it can actually be cheaper to rent a larger shipping container and pack more of your personal items, than to spend a lot of time and money trying to replace needed items, once you are settling in to your new destination. Further, some household and personal items simply cannot be replaced, and if these are things that you use and love regularly, it could be worth adding these favorites to your shipping container.

While many of your packing decisions largely revolve around personal preference, there are six things that you should consider packing if you are moving overseas.

1) Kids Items - Toys, books, and other comforting personal items for the kids are a must if you are relocating to another country with your family and moving your children overseas. If you are packing for children, bring some of their favorite toys, books, and other personal items. Moving to a new country can be stressful for kids, even if they are excited about the adventure. Make sure to pack some of your kid's favorite things so that their new destination feels a bit more like home.

2) Personal Hygiene Items - Depending on where you are moving, you might want to bring your favorite deodorant, dental floss, perfume, and feminine hygiene products. Make-up can also be very expensive in other countries, and it can be difficult to find specific brands, shades and products.

3) Special Foods - If there are cooking spices that you cannot live without, consider packing them. Other things that might be difficult to find overseas include your favorite type of coffee, mixes for cakes and pancakes, salad dressings, syrup, and other condiments like mayonnaise, catsup, and barbeque sauce.

4) Sports Equipment - If you are an avid biker, bring your bike helmet. If you love racquet sports, or rock-climbing, pack your gear. Specialized items for recreational activities can be difficult to find and expensive in many countries.

5) Clothes - It is very important that you take along comfortable clothes and shoes that you like, and that fit you well. Shopping for new clothes and shoes in a faraway land can be very difficult. Even if you like the styles and fashions, it can be very time consuming to find exactly what you want and need. It is advisable to pack enough clothes so that you are comfortable in a variety of temperatures and conditions, and not forced to shop for every day wear.

6) Important Documents - One of the most challenging things about moving abroad involves paperwork. There are a lot of documents involved in an international move, and some of them, you need to bring with you. For example, don't forget to bring your visa and passport, permits, tax papers, financial records, employment records, birth certificates and other important documents.

Choosing the right professional overseas moving company can help make your experience with international cargo shipping very positive. For more information about cargo shipping, overseas moving, ocean freight, and international cargo, check out Cargo Experts or call toll free 1-866-994-7822.

Moving Overseas - Things You Should Know

There are many rules to mess up when relocating overseas. What�s more, you will have an whole new life to get used to, a new land with new manners, new customs and a new language. Before your move, you should consider using a mover.

When you decide to move overseas, you should be sure to plan well ahead. The choice of the carrier is the most important part of making an overseas move. Professional movers take care of your actual international moving and allow you to relax and enjoy the experience of starting a new life in a different city or country. Making an agreement can reduce the headaches of moving and help your relocation a stress-free and trouble-free experience.

There are a lot of different international moving companies. All of them have their own advantages and disadvantages. Some of them offer very low fares while some provide a higher level of services at higher charges. Occasionally the cheapest one is typically not the best one. When choosing an international mover, you should consider the quality of service as the primary motivator, not price. Moving one's possessions is one of the most complicated things while relocating overseas. So it is advised to get someone who does it well. It frequently requires at least two movers, one at the starting point and one at the end. You also can choose a contractor to outsource the agents at the starting point and end. But, before you pack your possessions, you should decide your essential articles and bring them with you. Because it will be few weeks before you see your stuff again for most international relocations.

When moving overseas, companies will come in hand. Many companies have sites in more than one nation and often transfer workers from place to place. Now that you've decided using a moving company is the right way to move your possessions, you can enjoy a completely effective, stress-less and seamless move.

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Moving Overseas - Five Things to Consider Before Deciding to Move

So you are tired of the weather, your job the daily commute? Your best friend moved overseas last year and is loving their new home and you are missing their company? Moving overseas can be very alluring dream for many people, but it can also have its disadvantages. Here are five things to consider before you take the plunge and commit to moving overseas:

Can You Afford To Move Overseas?

Sure there are the obvious costs including airfares and shipping costs. Have you considered the costs of temporary accommodation when you arrive? The cost of buying new items you can't ship, the cost of a new car. You might need a new wardrobe if you move to a very different climate. If you don't have a job to go to how many month's living expenses do you have - remember the cost of living might be different from what you are used to.

Will You Get Too Homesick?

Do you enjoy having all your current circle of friends around you. Do you love your current home and the town that you live in? Are you willing to give all this up for the lure of the relocation? Make sure that you think about what you like about your current circumstance as well as what you don't like because the lure of the "grass is always greener" is always a trap to avoid.

How Will Your Kids React To Moving Overseas

If you are taking your family beware that it might be tough on the kids. Teenagers particularly may find a new school system hard to adapt to with a completely different curriculum and exam system. They will probably also resent leaving their friends behind. Younger kids may get teased for their foreign accents - even if you are moving from one English speaking country to another. Does your partner share your enthusiasm - how hard will it be for them to work if that is what they are used to doing? Will they miss the family and social support network that they have at home.

How Will Your Relatives At Home React To Moving Overseas

Almost everyone leaves someone behind: you may leave your parents behind: parents whom you are depriving of their grandchildren, in their eye's anyway. You may leaving relatives and friends who have been part of your social and support network.

What To Do With Pets When Moving Overseas?

Pets can be part of the family to. Make this decision early - beware that there are strict guarantee rules for many countries and taking a pet may involve significant extra costs and paperwork. On the other hand though can you bare to leave a much-loved member of you family behind?

There are no easy answers to weighing up the pros and cons of moving overseas. All that you an do is consider all of them all and decide which are best for you and your family.

Moving overseas is a big decision for anyone to take. Mary has lived in six different countries and knows a lot about the issues involved with migration and living abroad. Mary created the Moving Overseas: How To website to help others considering the big move to a new country.

Things to Consider when Moving Overseas

Moving Overseas can be a very hard decision to make. Some move overseas because their jobs require them to. In order to advance in their careers, some must make the decision to move. Some people move because of their family. When people wish to stay together, someone must sacrifice and move to another place. Some move because they want something to change in their lives. Moving overseas is like experiencing a fresh start in life. It is often the case that people who decide on moving overseas do so because they feel that they will be leaving their mistakes behind.

There is an Asian saying that goes: “he who does not know how to look back where he is coming from will never get to his destination”. Simply put, moving overseas may seem like a fresh start in life, but we must be careful never to truly forget our origins. Some people, when they go overseas, lose their identities. They easily become assimilated into the culture of their new home. Generally, this is not such a bad thing. However, if you forget your heritage, then you might end up making the same mistakes that you did in the past. Remembering your origins is like reviewing all the lessons that you have learned within the great classroom of life.

Before you make a decision concerning moving overseas, there are three voices you should listen to:

a) Your initial reaction – this, of course, is the reaction that you get before you take the time to truly consider the dilemma. Your initial reaction shows your instinctive decision. Many people have been saved by making decisions based on instinct. However, before you decide based on this, you should also consider other voices.

b) The opinion of others – after you have heard what you want, take the time to listen to what others think. This can be very helpful in assessing the situation as there may be some things which you fail to see from your perspective. This is especially important if other people will be affected by your moving overseas.

c) What needs to be done – your initial reaction constitutes what you want to do. After you have assessed the situation, ask yourself what needs to be done. Take the opinion of others and the demands of the current situation and see what you really need to do.

Some people might say that these things are contradicting. There’s really nothing that one can do about that. What you need to do is to find the heart of the contradiction. The decision regarding moving overseas is hard enough without having multiple voices inside your head. If you find the heart of the contradiction, however, you will learn that there is one voice which contains all of these opinions. And you would be able to make the right decision.

Think of moving overseas as a whole new adventure. Think of it as a new chapter in your life waiting to be written. You should always remember that life is just one big adventure and there are times when you have to take risks to enjoy it. You should also remember that no one can make you do anything that you truly do not want to do. In the end, the decision to move overseas will still be yours to make.