Want to Work Abroad?

I have lived and worked Slovakia for about 3 years now. It can be quite a transition. I have talked to many people from all over the world. Many of the people I met had been working overseas for quite a long time. After many conversations, here are some of the things that I have found helpful to anyone preparing to live or work abroad. This is not an exhaustive list and I have tried to but them in order of importance.

Research: This might seem obvious but knowing about the geography and history of place you are going before will help a lot. You definitely don't have to be an expert but know the basics. If you're going to be living there it is worth the effort. Find out whom you might need to talk to if emergency things come up. Cost of Visas, and other fees add up so be aware of them before you arrive.

There are many programs available for people who want to work or teach overseas. Many of the organizations help with paperwork, travel fees and insurance.

Find someone you trust at home: Find a friend or family you really trust at home. Someone to talk to, someone to handle stuff that you might have to deal with when you're abroad. My parents were great about helping me file taxes or handling any mail I got. They have also been great helping me transition to Slovakia and in coming back to the states.

To learn live simply: Learn to live on a minimal budget and being frugal is a skill. It takes time. If you start trying to figure it out now it will help in the long run. Living abroad can be expensive so being able to live simply will help with costs. The other thing is that having lots of stuff to lug and carry around is annoying. Living with less stuff just makes sense. Living abroad you may not have access to many of the little things you love so learning to sacrifice won't be hard if you already know how to do it. The other up side to simple living is that you'll have more time or money for things like travel and fun.

Save Save Save: Make sure you have some money in the bank before you. There are always unexpected expenses that come up. Moving is expensive so don't be caught blind-sided. Expect to pay for visa fees, housing, and all those little things you don't think about for example phone cards, internet, towels, food, Qtips, pens. The list can be exhaustive but you get the point.

Find Someone to help walk you through the paperwork: Dealing with things like Insurance, banking, visas and living accommodations can be a pain in the neck. Try to arrange these things before hand if you can. Even if you might think you know how the paperwork is done, find somebody who knows the system. This will save you tons of hassles and headaches. It is worth spending a little extra cash. I taught English overseas and the school paid for and arranged all our visa paperwork and living accommodation. I only had to wait at the Police office once or twice for several hours.

Living accommodations can be hard to arrange if you don't know the language. Many countries don't have a concept of lease agreements or verbal contracts. I had a friend, who supposedly secured a place, only to find out the landlord rented it out because she didn't move in fast enough.

Get connected: Try and find a club, religious or professional organization to connect with. Having community is important especially when living in a new culture or surrounding. This is important to help you find people that can walk you through the everyday life in your new home. Also for Emergencies, knowing whom to call or having people to rely on, it is well a, Lifesaver.

I connected with the English language congregation in Bratislava. I was great being able to speak English once in awhile and meeting people who could offer advice and help me get around.

Figure out the transportation: Traveling around can be quite a hassle if you don't plan for it. Learn the lingo for travel and get used to schedules and the idiosyncrasies of public transportation. Learning to plan ahead and make quick decision early on will make the rest of your time more enjoyable.

Try to experience the culture: Be open-minded and try your best to really experience the culture. Learn the language, hang out with the natives and try to have fun. Granted you may not like everything but making an effort will help you make new friends and make life more enjoyable.

Learning the language can be a challenge but most people we see it as a sign of respect if you try. Not only that it is just cool way to impress your friends when they come to visit.

Hopefully these little bits of advice will help. I have found these to be very helpful and spot on when it comes making the plunge into living abroad. It can be stressful at times but I've enjoyed myself and I hope you will too.