It is important to stay safe when you decide to spread your wings and move across the ocean. There are many risks associated with internationaltravel, especially when you are movingto a new country. These risks can take a variety of shapes, including mental health risks, threats to your physical safety, and the possible loss of or damage to your property. Instead of backtracking on your decision to move to an internationallocation because the world seems scarier than you initially thought, think about how you could potentially solve or mitigate any problems that may arise. Continue reading for safety adviceand tips during international moving.

Tips On How To Stay Safe When Moving Abroad

Before we continue with our tips and safety advice, let’s reflect on why you are considering moving in the first place. Is it because of crime or political instability; is it because you’re in need of a change in scenery; or is it simply because you want a better life? Whatever your reasons might be for moving, you should acknowledge that your new home country will have its own challenges and these need to be discussed during your deliberation phase (when you consider why you want to move and the international destination you would like to relocate to) and ask yourself if you’ve weighed all your options.

We have a separate article discussing the risks involved in international moving which you can access here. Here follows a list of safety adviceand tipsto help you tackle any potential risks and to make the most of your internationalmove. Preparation is key – if you know what kind of challenges you will face, you will know how to deal with them.

• Get vaccinated: The first of our tipsmay seem obvious, especially since we are still amid a global pandemic, but it should still be at the top of your safetyprecautions list when travelling. Don’t only consider COVID-19 – depending on where in the world you are moving to, there could be a myriad of other diseases and viruses that you could get exposed to duringyour stay. It’s better to get vaccinated as soon as possible rather than having to spend time in a potentially expensive hospital or doctor’s office.

• Research healthcare: As an extension to the point made above, make sure you can afford healthcare in your new country should anything happen to you, especially during the first few months. You may have already heard of the ludicrous healthcare costs in countries like the USA, so another one of our tipswould be to try and get health insurance as soon as you can in order to plan for unforeseen emergencies.

• Keep track of the political climate: Sometimes, movingto a different country may simply be a case of movingout of the frying pan and into the fire. Global politics are volatile, and no country is completely immune to the kind of rhetoric that makes people look to internationalrelocation in the first place. If there were to be a sudden regime change, would you still be safe?

• Understand and respect cultural differences: Your physical safetymay be at stake if you accidentally (or even deliberately) offend someone. A joke or light-hearted comment might get a few laughs in one country but could lead to fisticuffs in another.

• Stay updated on crime trends: Crime is everywhere. The few crimes that motivated you to move might be uncommon in your new home country, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are non-existent in your new location. The safetyof your belongings is just as important as your physical safety, so take the precautions you would in your home country when it comes to keeping your property safe. Don’t assume things are safer duringand after your move.

• Don’t get lost. Get to know the area around your new home and explore to get acquainted with recognisable landmarks. Don’t be afraid to ask for directions and talk to your new neighbours –they will be able to give you adviceon areas to avoid and places to go if you do end up getting lost.

Need More Safety Tips Or General Advice On Your International Move?

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