Preparation - Expat Network

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How To Ensure A Smooth Transition To Your New Home

Relocating within the same country is a challenging time in anyone’s life. Relocating to a completely new country or continent is on a whole other level. Here are some things to keep in mind as you prepare for your move abroad to make the process smoother and to mitigate any risks. Written exclusively for Expat...

10 Tips For Freshmen Students Abroad

It is the dream of every ambitious student to travel the world, study in the best colleges on the planet, and compete with the best of the best brains from all over the world. Such education opportunities are rare to find, so one must make the most of them when they come knocking. Written exclusively...

Five Tips For Becoming A Parent Abroad

Tom Wilkinson of Axa Global Healthcare has been thinking about his own experience of becoming a parent while living abroad. He says it’s an exciting but nerve-wracking time, and when you’re living somewhere new, there can be many unknowns which need navigating before the big day. Written for Expat Network by Tom Wilkinson, CEO, AXA...

Five Ways Expats Can Integrate Themselves In A New Country

There are many challenges when moving to another country. Kevin Melton of AXA – Global Healthcare offers some practical advice on how to adapt to life abroad, rather than being overwhelmed Written for Expat Network by Kevin Melton, Sales and Marketing Director, AXA – Global Healthcare Moving to a new location can be as...

Heerema awarded ConocoPhillips decom work

Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland SE (HMC) and partner AF Gruppen (AFG) have received notice that ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS intend to enter into a contract with HMC for the removal and disposal of platforms connected to the Ekofisk field in the North Sea. The contract includes Engineering, Preparation, Removal & Disposal (EPRD) of four platforms with...

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.