Doing your research (Photo attribution to -Snugg-)
Being prepared before you move abroad for your internship, study or travel experience is a surefire way to have an experience that will enrich your career. Preparation involves obvious things like having the correct visa arrangements, knowing your accommodations, packing the right gear, etc. Under the radar, though, is having a cultural perspective about the country that you will be calling ‘home’ for the duration of your trip. This is just as important in preparation for your trip.
Over the next week, assess your country choices and narrow it down to your top 3 countries. Use this 3-day breakdown to help you to make the most informed choice. Educating yourself about the country is the best way to circumnavigate traveling to scope out your destination if that may not be an option.
Day 1 (Approximate time: 30 min) Choose your target countries
Think of why you want to live in that country and how it fits into your personal beliefs and likes. Consider the physical landscape, language, culture, business etiquette and any other factors that contribute to your overall experience. Sometimes we disregard the importance of these considerations and how they affect our adventures abroad. Check online resources like globalEDGE or Lonely Planet to help you research the specifics. Narrow your country choices down to 3 countries.
Day 2 (Approximate time: 30 min) Define the best cities based
Continue to narrow down your focus by choosing the cities best suited for the type of experience you are looking for. This is largely determined whether you are looking to work, study or travel and whether or not you need to be in a metropolitan area. There are pros and cons of living in a cities of different sizes. It all depends on the type of experience you are looking to have.
Day 3 (Approximate time: 1 hr) Calculate your cost-of-living
You need to know the amount of money needed to sustain yourself when moving abroad. Not only will this allow you to save accordingly, but also givse you the foresight of what to expect once you are there. The last thing you want to do is run out of money a month into your international experience. Your cost-of-living barometer incorporates the expenses you may incur while living abroad like housing, transportation, personal care, food and entertainment. Check on travel forums like Thorntree or websites local websites like Gumtree or Craigslist international to get a sense of what people your age are spending on food, housing and entertainment when traveling to those countries. If possible, calculate a per diem cost and multiply that by the days that you will spend in that country.
How do you do your country research? What other tips and resources can you suggest for someone looking to move abroad?
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