At one point or another, we have all dreamed of packing our bags and travelling to another country. In the last year or so, we have all been forced to remain within the confines of our own countries. For this reason, many people are finally making the leap and deciding to leave their old lives behind and start again in a brand new country.

Moving abroad is not quite the same as booking a holiday with some friends and there are some important steps that you must follow in order to ensure that your move abroad is a success. Here is a comprehensive checklist for moving abroad.

Make sure that you have employment ready for you

One of the biggest mistakes that people make is moving abroad with the expectation that they will be able to find a job quite easily. This is not the case at all, as when you are someone from a different country, you have to complete months of paperwork and other important documentation before you are even allowed to work.

We recommend that you sort all of this out before you go away, as it will be much easier to do from the comfort of your own home as opposed to doing it while you are in a country that you are not familiar with.  Securing employment also means that you will feel a lot more comfortable when you do make the move, so be sure to check out any companies that may be hiring. Before I moved abroad,  I got in touch with a company where I bought residential and commercial roofing leads in order to look for labouring work for my partner.

Make sure your insurance is in check

Before going on holiday, everybody knows that you are supposed to make sure that you have all of the right insurance so that if any injuries occur, you are protected. When moving abroad, the way in which things work may be worlds apart from how it works back home.  For example, where you are from you may be used to having access to free health care, but where you are moving health care may not be free.

People often make the mistake of not considering how another place may be different from the country that they were born in and so do not check up on these things, which means that they walk into the new country thinking that it will be totally fine, but more often than not, this is not the case.

Make sure you are ready

A lot of people decide to move to a different country on a whim and a lot of people quickly forget it and return home, which can be extremely expensive. Before you decide to make the move and make the full commitment, we recommend that you spend at least a month pondering whether or not you really want to make the big step.

If you have a partner, you should also talk this through with them , as you need to remember that your moving can also have an impact on them, which is something that you will need to think about.

Learn some of the language

Another common mistake that is made by movers is expecting whichever country you decide to move to to speak your language. This may be the case for some places, but to make life a little easier for yourself you should be able to at least say simple sentences and ask important questions so you don’t find yourself in a sticky situation in the future.

Peru – hike the Salkantay trail to Machu picchu.

A very popular adventure holiday destination can be found in Peru and the breathtaking trek that provides amazing views over the busy Inca Trail but in a much more peaceful and calm environment. There’s no denying that the Inca Trail is amazing but, thanks to over popularity and social media coverage the views are sometimes spoiled by the touristy atmosphere. At the Machu Picchu it is considered more of a hidden gem and there are just as many sights to be seen from thick forest rich in wildlife to historical ruins that portray the tale of time. This is definitely designed for the adventurous and not for the faint of heart. Someone who is going to pay a visit to Peru would have to be a really enthusiastic person, someone who isn’t afraid to get stuck in with the physical parts like hiking through the jungle. In terms of recommended duration, I would say that you can see what you need in 7 days, accommodation would be things like wild camping dead in the centre of the jungle. This trip was rated to be one of the top 25 treks by National Geographic, it can be a very exclusive trip to partake in but should you ever have the opportunity, I would take it!

Columbia – 100km Jungle Expedition.

Columbia is another Jungle type adventure holiday that isn’t one to miss, travelling through the heart of an untouched Columbian jungle that is filled with amazing visuals and a variety of rare and unique wildlife. The jungle is packed with a range of animal life including aquatic creatures like fish and eels, jungle dwellers like a range of monkey species and brightly colored birds that dwell in the upper treeline. The animal kingdom is reason alone to go but with breathtaking depths of water and waterfalls, the strong cave line that for those of you who are brave enough may want to climb up to see even more amazing views and the fact that this is all protected under a national reserve, meaning that this is all untouched really does add to the uniqueness of the expedition.

A piece of advice I would give to those of you that are interested in giving this adventure a go would have to be to remember to be well equipped, although a skilled tour guide will be there to ensure you are safe, you must be self-sufficient in remembering to pack the essentials and a well-stocked survival kit can be the difference between an enjoyable trip and a bad one and even life and death in some serious scenarios. Tools to remember that are vital would have to be waterproofs, tents, range of clothes, medicines, first aid kits, whittling knife and rope. It is important that you take time to look at the specifics of what you are buying, with a little research you may choose to do things like, compare the specifications of your chosen tent to ensure it is suitable, or pursuingoutdoors reviews of whittling knives so that you can be sure the tools can deal with the type of foliage, or sourcing a variety of different clothes that are suitable for a range of weather conditions – remember to layer!

Caribbean – Delve into the Belize Barrier Reef.

A bucket list staple for some many of us budding adventurers is snorkeling amongst stunning water life if being underwater marveling at the amazing sea life sounds like something you would enjoy then the Caribbean would definitely be a great choice for you. Belize is hidden within a remote island and just to make the island experience even greater only a select amount of visitors are allowed on the island at a time, so you expect to see a very tranquil setting so you can really take the time to enjoy this unique location in peace and solitude. The sea life alone is worth a mention as it really is something that you won’t find anywhere else, visit the Carribeans crystal clear waters and take some time to get away from everything you hate about industrial life, getting away from the hustle and bustle is a great opportunity to truly relax.

Whether you’re going on a long road trip or traveling to an entirely different country with your dog, you must know exactly how to care for them and what needs to be done before starting your holiday. It is important to check before anything else that you are allowed to bring your pet into the country that you are going to, as each country has different rules for this matter. Aside from this, there is a multitude of other steps that must be taken to ensure smooth travels for both you and your dog. If this is something that applies to you, here are some top tips for taking your dog abroad. 

Meet with your vet

Before traveling abroad with your dog, it is good to check first that your dog is healthy and safe to travel. This is helpful, as not only can your pet’s overall health be checked and discussed, but the vet might also be experienced in taking pets oversea and they might have some extra tips for what needs to be done. 

Ask airlines

Every airline has different rules and regulations for taking pets on their aircraft, especially on international flights. Therefore, it is important to first contact the airline before booking anything. Checking first will cut out any unnecessary issues at the airport. 

Invest in a pet carrier

Again, many airlines have different regulations for the kind of pet carrier that can be used on their flights. Do some research before purchasing one to ensure that you will be able to use it. For good recommendations and reviews on every pet product, there are websites such as Dog Wish that will help and if you follow their tips, you’re guaranteed to have a happy dog with dogwish.

Pet Insurance

In case of anything, unfortunately, that may go wrong or in case your dog gets ill whilst in another country, it is important to have pet insurance so that you don’t lose a lot of money on what is meant to be a fun holiday. 

Double-check everything

It is important that you don’t bump into any issues when already traveling or when landed in another country. Checking documents before leaving to ensure that everything is in order can help reduce this risk of something going wrong. 

 Keep your dog happy

Just as important as everything else on the list, keeping your dog happy whilst traveling is vital, whether that’s while they’re on the plane, on a ferry or in the car. Having a plentiful water supply is one of the most important things as it means your dog can stay hydrated and happy on the journey. If it is a long journey, your dog will need comfortable bedding and maybe a toy or two to keep them occupied and comfortable. Lastly, make sure that your dog has a strong collar on with a phone number that is up to date in case anything happens whilst on holiday. This means that if your dog wanders off, you can easily be contacted.