Congratulations on your decision to embark on a journey of teaching English abroad! With your job secured and your flight booked, it’s time to ensure a seamless transition.
As someone who made the move from the US to Taiwan, I’ve compiled a list of invaluable insights I wish I had before taking the leap. Let’s dive into them:
Organize Your Documents
Moving abroad entails a stack of crucial documents – your passport, health certificates, school transcripts, diplomas, vaccine records, and visa applications, among others. Begin collecting these documents well in advance, and don’t forget to get them notarized if required.
Keeping both physical and digital copies, I suggest maintaining a dedicated file to hold everything together. Be prepared to present these documents multiple times, so store them in a secure and easily accessible spot.
Manage Your Phone Number
Your phone number holds significant importance, tied to various accounts and often used for password recovery and login authorization. However, moving to a new country means your old phone number might no longer work via a traditional SIM card. To avoid the hassle and expense of maintaining an international phone plan, consider transferring your number to a VoIP provider.
A great choice is Google Voice, which requires a one-time $20 USD fee and usually takes just a day to complete. Remember to make this transition before canceling your old phone plan. Trust me, this will make things so much easier for you and help you keep in contact with friends and family.
Save Money
While many schools stipulate a savings goal of $2,000-$3,000 USD, you might want to exceed this threshold. Unexpected expenses tend to crop up during your initial months, expenses that might not have found their way into your initial budget. These could encompass various necessities like apartment furnishings, housing deposits, transportation costs, health examinations, and unforeseen emergencies such as sudden illness or a broken phone. By aiming for a more substantial savings buffer, you’ll be better equipped to navigate these unforeseen financial demands.
Be mindful of your school’s payment schedule. Some institutions initiate paydays at varying times of the month. For instance, my school processes payments exclusively on the 10th of each month. Depending on your start date, this might imply waiting for a complete paycheck for over a month. So keep this in mind when you are budgeting. Something to keep in mind.
Keep Your Money Handy
Just like when you are traveling, give your bank a heads-up too. It’s a smart move to keep your cash accessible while in a new country. You don’t want to be stuck with no access to your money. And don’t forget to chat with your bank about sending money internationally. Think about subscriptions, shopping sprees from afar, or simply being that dependable support for those back home.
Ask about fees and how to do it. It’s super useful for sending money back and forth. You’ll probably also need to pay for stuff back home with your bank account, so keep that in mind.
Pack Wisely
Sure, the idea of shopping in a new country sounds appealing, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Depending on where you’re headed, finding clothes and shoes that fit might not be a breeze. As someone on the taller side, I’ve faced this challenge in Taiwan. Plus, don’t forget about your skincare and haircare essentials.
Your specific products might be hard to come by due to language differences or unfamiliarity in your new location. And if you take any medications, be aware that something as common as ibuprofen might have a different name. Just be sure to look into the local laws before bringing any medication along.
