Living Abroad Tips
So it's your first time going abroad and there are a lot of things you need to take care of. Where should you begin? Here are some tips I've learned from personal experience for people looking into living abroad to work or study.1. Get your money in order. If you can, I recommend setting up a bank account from where you live now and transferring money over. In most cases you won't be able to access it until you land and verify your identity, but it'll be there for you immediately and that's the important part. You will most likely get a debit card which you can use like a credit card if necessary. If you plan on using a credit card from your home country, make sure it doesn't have a foreign transaction fee. You should be able to use your card (credit or debit) at an ATM to get cash if you don't have an overseas bank account, but in some cases it requires a pin to be set up on your card. There will also be a fee for a cash advance or using an ATM, so it's not recommended that you do this often. Some places ONLY take cash or have a minimum purchase amount to charge on a card, or in same cases have an additional fee, so it is necessary for you to have cash. Especially for smaller things like individual meals.
2. Set up your accommodation after you get there. I know the security of having a place ready for you seems like it's ideal but in reality you have no idea what you're getting into. You could be getting ripped off or into a dangerous situation if you aren't careful. Feel free to contact people before you head over there to let them know you're interested in their property, but don't expect people to wait too long for you. When booking your temporary accommodation, it's best to allow yourself roughly two weeks to move into a place. Sometimes it'll take one week, sometimes it'll take more than two. Just be mindful of the cost of your temporary situation.
3. You're going to get lost. Whether that's when you're taking a bus or trying to find your way around. It's perfectly fine that you do. There's no need to panic. Look at every time you get lost as a learning experience and a chance to explore a bit more. Make sure you have your phone on you at all times so you can call a cab or use your GPS. Purchase a portable charger (I personally use a rechargeable battery with 2 USB ports) so you can make sure your phone never goes dead on you when you need it.
4. Keep your spending in check. You'll probably spend a lot of money in your first couple weeks. It happens with everyone. Odds are you need a lot of things like bedding and storage bins and clothes, and you're going to want to test the water by going out to eat and visiting tourist attractions. Try to be mindful of it and not go wild.
5. Buy an adapter or two. Power works differently in other countries. Check what system the country you're going to uses. If you want to be able to use your electronics in a different country you will need to have an adapter so you can plug them into an outlet. These can be purchased before you go or while your there.
6. Taxes. If you're going to be working while your abroad, you're going to be paying local taxes. In some cases you may need to pay taxes to your home country as well. For Americans, you must make above a certain amount of money before you pay taxes on money you made overseas. However, you must notify the government of your net world income. Many countries have a tax payer identification system, make sure you have filed an application so you can be registered under that system legally. In Australia, everyone that works must have a tax file number (TFN) which should typically be applied for after you land in Australia and takes 28 days to process. Employers typically will allot 28 days for you to give them your TFN from when you start working if you are a foreigner. Make sure you research your specific circumstances before you go so you don't get into any legal trouble.
7. Buy a local SIM card. I mentioned phones earlier, but this needs its own section. Using data from your home provider is extremely expensive, as are roaming charges from making a phone call. It's definitely worth it to get a local card. You will also need a local number for people to contact you, including for your work, school, and for when you're setting up your accommodation. There are lots of different options you can find so look around the internet to see what's available if you must. I recommend getting one the first day so you can begin using your phone immediately to help you navigate. Note that you can only do this if the phone you purchased is GSM/unlocked. If you're using a phone from a CDMA network like Verizon it will not be able to use a local SIM card.
8. Research where you're going. It's good to be aware of local culture before you go so you're not incredibly shocked by it. Make sure you know what's taboo and what is the norm, what are the important holidays, what sort of food people eat, what areas are considered dangerous, how much necessities cost, ect. Figure out some popular attractions that you want to see. It's fun to look around the internet for photographs and videos of the city you're traveling to as well so knock yourself out data mining google and pinterest for whatever you can find.. However, you should always remember that the actual place will feel, and sometimes look, totally different in person.
9. Above all, don't panic. When something goes wrong, it's going to feel ten times worse without the comforts of home. Try to keep a level head. Speak to family and friends about your struggles and seek help if you can. Expect things to not go as planned. Try to have a back up plan or procedure ready for when there's a problem to minimise your stress.
I'll break up the usual wall of text with a song and band I listened to a lot when I was working on coming to Australia. They're also from Melbourne. Enjoy!
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