Whether you are relocating for work or for study, it’s important to get your ducks in a row before you set off on a 12-month adventure. Hopefully, your employer or university offers the support and assistance you need. If not, our handy guide provides plenty of information to help you prepare for your trip.
Finances
This is a vital consideration, especially if you’re about to embark on a year abroad for study. Ensuring you can afford to relocate and to live in the country you are moving to is important. Moving away from home is stressful, so avoiding any financial worries will help make the process easier. Make sure when planning how much you will need you factor in travel costs, insurance, legal fees, accommodation and food, and if necessary, investigate any loans or grants you could be entitled to.
Documentation
You may need more than your passport to travel, dependant on where you are going. Investigate this as far in advance of your trip as possible to avoid getting caught out. Travelling outside of Europe often requires a visa, and chances are you will need to fill in a bunch of forms, which takes time and can get caught up in backlogs, plus you may need to arrange interviews with relevant embassies. It’s a slow process – so allow plenty of time before your date of travel.
Travel Insurance
Travel and health insurance are important whenever you travel, especially in countries like America where insurance is vital if you want to avoid heavy costs should you get ill. Shop around to ensure you get the best policy for the best cost. If you’re a student heading on a year abroad, speak to your university – they will help you figure out which insurance you need dependant on the country you’re going to.
The brand manager of Holidaysafe Amber Howard says: “Backpacker travel insurance can vary in price, but it’s important to look at the cover you’re purchasing to make sure it meets your needs. Key things to check are cover limits for medical emergencies, personal possessions and cancellation, plus cover for any activities you’re planning to do. Checking these details will make sure you’re not caught out whilst abroad.”
Accommodation
Your university may provide digs on campus, or your employer may be arranging your accommodation. If they aren’t, it is up to you to find a place to live – which can be tricky, especially when you’re relying on emails and photographs to make your choice. There are plenty of resources available to both students and expats. Be sure to leave plenty of time to do this, and carry out your own research online. This way, you have room to be choosy, and won’t have to settle for something less an ideal.
Travel
Booking your flights ahead of time not only helps guarantee you’ll get a seat on the flight you want, it also means you’ll get a more competitively priced deal. Whether you’re travelling by plane, boat, or hovercraft, booking ahead of time will tick off an easy to-do on a long list of tasks. Get it out of the way early!
Storage
Chances are, you won’t be able to take everything with you – especially if you’re flying. If you have a house full of stuff to store, your best bet is to source local, secure, and reliable storage. Titan Self Storage offer clean, modern storage space, a convenient and easily accessible solution. You can leave your belongings in there for as long as you like, with the added peace of mind that our state of the art security system provides.
Once you have all this in order, you’re ready to go – after the long goodbyes from friends and family of course! It’s an exciting time – enjoy it.
If you would like more information about our storage contact us today, or get your quick online quote here.
