In this video, we'll discuss the preparation for going abroad. As with many events in life the better the preparation, the smoother the transition and the softer the landing. First, gather and organize all that information you collected from the going abroad decision described in the previous video. Use this and other needed information for your pre-departure preparations. This will include documents, legal, health insurance, housing and family, financial, cultural and packing considerations. Let's examine each of these in more detail. First, renew passports as needed so that they do not expire during your time abroad. If you plan to do a lot of traveling, request extra pages for visa stamps, make copies of your passport to carry separately such as in your wallet, your backpack and in your luggage. Apply foreign and collect required foreign country documents such as entry visas, residency permits, work permits and international driving permits. Collect copies of personal documents to carry with you including birth certificates, marriage certificate, job custody papers if needed, driver licenses, immunization and medical records, credit card numbers and their phone numbers, property ownership documents, health insurance documents and emergency contact information plus recent videos of all of your family members. Some countries may require original or notarized copies of some documents, so be sure to check. Bring copies of all documents including paper copies, digital copies on a flash drive to carry and ideally Online where they can be accessed from anywhere in the world with internet access. Understand the laws and regulations of your destination country. In particular, drug laws vary widely around the world. Drugs that are over the counter in some countries such as cold and sleep medications require prescription in other countries and are outright illegal elsewhere. Carefully check the laws of your destination so that you do not innocently run afoul of its drug laws. In most jurisdictions, ignorance of the law is not a defense for violations. Similarly, understand alcohol laws at your destination including laws regarding drinking and driving, which vary widely. Laws regarding weapons and self-defense products also vary widely. For example, pepper spray is legal in some countries and outlawed in others. Knives and edge tools such as hatchets and swords are strictly controlled in some countries and uncontrolled in others. Firearm restrictions also vary widely by country. Be aware of cohabitation laws at your destination. Some countries prohibit a mixed-gender coupled to share our residents if they're not married. Some countries are very sensitive about photography's or photographs rather of military or police installations, utility yards of security arrangements at airports, train stations and subways. In a different vein, pornography is tolerated in some countries but strictly illegal in others punishable by fines and possible jail term. Some countries prohibit expats from selling personal possessions they have brought in from abroad since it could circumvent and import terrorist sales taxes. Finally, be aware that laws regarding speech vary widely. For example, criticizing the government or royalty in some countries is strictly forbidden but tolerated in others. Expats are probably wise not to engage in any political speech or activities while abroad including social media. By the way check your existing social media prior to departure for content it could lead to problems at your destination. Before you depart get a physical and any needed vaccinations, refill prescriptions to the maximum allowed, acquire paper copies of prescriptions secure it with you and gain be aware of national drug laws at your destination. Review your employer insurances such as health, life and disability policies and verify if and how they apply while you're abroad. Investigate what national insurances are available at your destination country such as health insurance. Understand what conditions are covered for expats such as emergency services and determine if your home country insurance if any will be honored at your destination. Depending on the answers to the above, you may need to purchase expat insurance if needed. This will include medical, hospitalization and evacuation policies. Evacuation policies cover getting you home in case of critical medical conditions. Depending on your circumstances, you'll need to terminate the lease or rent, sell or secure your current home country residence. Plan on where to live when abroad. Ideally, contract for a rental house or apartment before your departure or reserve a short term place to live upon arrival while looking for a permanent residence. Many communities have local housing services or checkout Online websites such as Airbnb, VRBO and other short term housing sites. If you have children, you'll need to identify schools or expat children and make enrollment arrangements for them. To prepare financially create an expat budget as suggested in the previous video. Put aside emergency and contingency funds for unexpected emergencies or opportunities. Inform financial institutions such as banks and credit card companies that you'll be abroad. In particular, let your credit card companies know of your travel plans and locations, so they don't put a stop on your cards when you're abroad that can be a real problem. As needed arrange how you will make payments for your mortgage and other ongoing expenses. Online banking has made this enormously easier than it was in the past. Finally, you have home country wages or salary paid into your home country bank as desired and allowed. A critical part of your going abroad preparations should be to learn as much as you can about your destination country before departure. Here are some suggestions read destination newspapers and magazines. Many countries publish in multiple languages for international audiences. Learn about country culture in as much depth as you can. There are several book series published on national cultures such as the Culture Shock series shown here. Consume destination entertainment, movies, television music and Online content and learn as much as you can about the history of your destination country much of culture is shaped by a country's history. Read fiction set in your destination. Learn the destination language even just a few words, many Online language courses are available and come free. Eat at ethnic restaurants serving food from your destination. Visit an embassy or consulate of your destination country for additional information and talk with expats who have lived at your destination. The more you know about the culture and people at your destination, the more comfortable you'll be and the faster you'll fit in. As your departure nears, take care of household items by putting them in storage, selling or donating them or packing them for shipment if you're taking them with you, you need less than you think I can guarantee. Pack luggage for travel and arrival, pack for one or two weeks. Include those legal documents you collected include your medical supplies and travel light plan for baggage weight restriction, where it can get very expensive if exceeded. Again, you'll need less than you think. Finally, travel is always an adventure, so expect and prepare for delays. Summarizing your preparations to go abroad, gather and organize information needed for your departure and arrival. Pre-departure preparations include collecting documents, so you can be prepared. Knowing the legal environment of your destination to be compliant, secure necessary health records and insurance so you can be safe. Plan for housing and schools, so your family can be happy. Organized finances, so you'll be solvent. Know your destination's culture, so you're informed and pack frugally in other words travel light. In the next video, we'll assume you've arrived at your destination and we'll discuss your life while abroad, we'll see you then.
