Start spreading the news.........

New York? Dubai? KL? Singapore? Berlin? Hong Kong? Shanghai?

Congratulations you've got the job of your dreams and you are now madly packing, repacking and packing again....................I'm OCD and will repack at least 15 times to just make sure.............Guess what? What you take may not be the most important thing that you have to do, it's making sure you are aware of where you are going.

Professional 'To do' list:

1. What might you be teaching?

They may say it's a Maths/Science load but may include others.....others could mean anything.

Use an external USB, your email, an e-platform to store everything you possibly can to store your resources. Big hint: taking books takes space and you MAY only need it. Scan what you can.

2. Back up everything, you don't know what you'll walk into....a well documented curriculum to nothing, err on the side of nothing and be thankful for anything they have over there. Never assume that you'll have the resources you need.

3. Professional documents:

I take my certificates/testaments everywhere, the real ones, all scanned and stored on my email, USB's, e-platform. You will need them again and again. Add birth and marriage certificates to the list as well, anything!

4. After you get the job get in back in contact with your new colleagues and find out what the lay of the land is as you are now coming, they will be more accommodating with information. Use your gut feeling here, once I thought that I may have been going into a hostile environment.......yes I was and yes I did, so make sure you take your own stuff (and don't let some horrid person on the other end possibly end a lifetime dream, sort them out from the beginning when you get there). However, other jobs I knew that I was going into a good environment and resources were fine!

5. Remember to put the past in the past, whatever has happened in your past school(s) does not mean it will happen in your new school. Sit back a while, get the lay of the land and enjoy settling into your new environment.

6. Make sure the school will provide education for your family, get it in writing and hold them to it.

7. Ensure there is a probation period.

If you are a competent teacher and show that you can teach and be a part of a team, then you'll have no worries. However, this can protect you because if you know when you get there that you dislike it (place you are living, housing, surroundings) or the school environment does not suit you or your family's needs, then use it to get out of there. It does take 6 months to adapt anywhere, however I've seen people who know it's not for them and no amount of time will change that.

Personal 'To do' list:

1. Health and Medication

What is the medical insurance like and does it cover you and your family's needs?

Find out from the current staff what access you have to doctors, pharmacies, what's over the counter and current laws with things like contraception. I lived in the Middle East 5 years ago now and can only give you what I knew then. For example, laws may have changed, however the 'Pill' and Nexum for heartburn was over the counter at that time. For up to date laws you can ask those who are there.

2. Banking

Do not assume that banking is like where you live and prepare for a steep learning curve in paperwork and long processes. Make sure you listen and follow all advice from Human Resources and take any time you are given to do it. Overseas transfers can be very easy in places and painful in others. International transfer money exchanges were easier and sometimes cheaper than the banks. I would send money home every month through a money exchange in the UAE, rather than a bank as it was just as cheap and once I set up my 'card' with details, it was a 2 minute process (however I could be standing in the line for 20 mins!). Always have your home country cards prepared for overseas before you go.

3. Internet and Social Media

Prepare all your devices for being overseas and do not assume that you will have access to sites in some countries. For example in China they do not allow Facebook and Google and all associated with them. So this is where the trusty VPN (Virtual Personal Network) comes into play. Download one onto at least one device before you go so that you can pretend to be in your home country and access the sites you love. You may be saying that you are going to for a different experience and wont want or need them. Believe me, after a while you do miss home and a little home time can make you happy in times of the 'dips'. I have it for my betting account and national broadcasting station so that I can do and see a few of my old loves!

3. Clothes

This pains me to say but you can't take all your shoes. Find out from those who are there what sizes are available, here in Hong Kong I'm finally sourcing shoes that are over US39 and am getting some more. Take your professional clothes first and then you favourite good and casual clothes. You soon learn when you get there what is available and suddenly online shopping does become your friend, when once upon a time you would not have done it!

3. Research the country/area.

Read blogs, travel forums, research the country's laws, search as much as you can before you can. Laws in particular and when you get there you will soon learn from others the things you can and can't do! Trial and error, just don't be the one seen on the news for a mishap that you didn't know about.

4. Sort out your financials at home before you go.

Set up the direct debits, get the house rented out with a reputable property manager and err on the side of caution. It may not work out and you do not want to go home after a while to nothing or a financial disaster. As soon as you get there be careful with your home cash and spending, wait until the first pay comes in and spend the local currency once you have it. Sometimes a school will give you a loan that will come out of your first pay, take it only if you need to as it can be a buggar having to pay it back over the next few pays. Be thrifty in those first few months and spend on essentials as you will be setting up a new home. Take advice of where to go and shop for those things. Second hand stuff from those whom have left is always a good idea as well.

Most of all enjoy the anticipation and joys of moving OS and becoming an expat. Please add any comments or send me some of your own thoughts that I can post on:

helenbackos@outlook.com

Cheers,

HB