Plan your packing When you are relocating long-term to another country you are likely to want to take a lot of your current household items rather than start again. Shipping oversea via container is usually the way that household goods and anything else you require are transported. This can take three to four months, so when you are packing for your move consider what you will need when you first arrive. Remember you will need time to settle in It’s going to take time to feel like you’re at home once you have relocated. Just remember that at the beginning you should say yes to all opportunities presented to you, especially if you’re relocating alone. This could open the door to new friends and new experiences that will make your stay more enjoyable. Attempt to learn the local language Not to say that you need to be fluent to move abroad. However knowing basic phrases will help you day to day and make assimilating into the culture a lot easier for you. It will also help you interact with the locals. People tend to be friendlier when they know you are making an effort to learn their native tongue. Make friends with the locals Their knowledge of your new surroundings will be invaluable to you during your stay. You are likely to be introduced to many places you never would have thought to go to before. Be prepared to get things wrong Just remember living and working in a new culture you are bound to find that you will make mistakes along the way. At one time you will mispronounce a word or make a cultural faux pas to the locals. But laugh it off, things happen and you learn from it. You may even get a good story out of it to tell later.