Medical services abroad will be a different experience depending on where you currently live.  If you are moving from developed country, you have become accustomed to certain protocols and services for medical treatment.  It is important to know that these are not the norm in undeveloped countries.  Therefore, you will have to do your research ahead of time to understand what is available and what is accepted practice.  It is imperative to understand the sterile nature of their facilities.  It may seem like a completely foreign concept to carry your own medical supplies to most patients in developed countries.  However, in some countries this will ensure that you will have access to sterile needles.  These kits are available for purchase online and should be considered if you are moving to a country that may not have everything available.  If you are on a foreign assignment, some companies will provide you with this kit.  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) offers guidelines for these kits, which are detailed on their website.

There are companies that offer concierge medical transport services that can help in case of emergency.  This may be another option for you.  Check with your current medical coverage and see if this is available to you.

Keep in mind that in some countries’ standard of care is quite different.  If you are planning a birth of child abroad, definitely take this into consideration.  Their protocols may be different than what you may expect from western medicine.  If certain things are important to you, like access to an epidural during labor, do your research ahead of time.  Check to see if there is access to a doctor, who has been educated in the west or has experience treating western patients.  

Dental care is also something to consider.  In some countries, it is not as accessible as others.  Therefore, you want to find a dentist, who either has been trained in the West and/or has treated western patients.  You want to ask him or her what their standard of care is and what treatments they offer.

This is not meant to scare but rather educate.  Understanding medical services available to you in your new home country is so important.  This will help you prepare yourself and your family.  In some countries, this is not a problem, but in others it can be an issue.  Preparation is key so that you can take steps to alleviate any risks involved.

Once you know you are moving, you really want to take time to research your new environment.  Learning about the weather in your new area will help you prepare. If you are relocating from a dry environment to a humid one or vice versa you will quickly feel the difference.  Taking steps to understand will help you acclimate to your new environment.  Here are a few things to consider:

Humidity:

If you are moving to a humid environment, it will take its toll on your furniture and food.  Therefore, making sure you have some climate control, like a dehumidifier in your new home will help to alleviate these affects.  Mold and mildew thrive in humid environments.  If you are choosing to purchase a home, you will need to have a thorough home inspection to make sure that there are no problems with mold or mildew in the home.  Further, you will have to learn to keep some of your food in the refrigerator that you would not have otherwise.  Bread molds quicker and cereal does not stay crispy in humid conditions.  Putting them in your refrigerator helps.  You will also have to familiarize yourself with a term called heat index.  The heat index factors humidity into the temperature to help you understand what it really ‘feels’ like outside.  Humidity will also affect your hair and give you more moisture on your skin.

Dry:

Living in a dry climate does pose some challenges.  It will have an impact on your furniture and food as well.  Your furniture will dry out easier and will require polishing to retain some moisture.  If you leave out food without being sealed or covered, it will harden.  Again, climate control, like a humidifier in your new home can help alleviate these affects.  A dry climate will take its toll on your skin and hair.  You will find that you will have to continually moisturize just keep from drying out.  

Cold:

If you have never lived in the cold, it can be quite an adjustment.  Keep in mind that it will take time for your body to acclimate.  In the meantime, getting the right gear will make all of the difference.  Familiarize yourself with the average temperature highs and lows during the winter months to help you understand what type of gear will help you.  Most winter clothing and gear will come with a temperature rating.  Use this to help you find what you will need.  Remember boots, gloves and hats are a must.  Keeping your extremities warm will make all the difference.  

Heat:

If you are moving into the heat, it can take your body time to adjust as well.  Extreme heat will take its toll on you and your family until you acclimate.  Therefore, you will definitely need an air conditioner in your new place.  Further, you will also want to change some of your habits when it gets really hot.  For example, you will learn that the best time to enjoy the outdoors is early in the morning and in the evening.  

Don’t forget about your pets.  Just as you will need time to acclimate, so will your pet.  Make sure they are adequately hydrated and kept inside from extreme temperatures.  Taking these steps will help you transition successfully into you new environment.

If you are about to take an international assignment, it is important to know that as you acclimate to your new host country, you will learn about your new host country’s holidays, festivals, celebrations and customs.  It will be an exciting part of your adventure and important for you to become acquainted.  These holidays and customs of your host country will affect your daily life and you will need to be aware of them so that you are prepared.  It will affect your ability to conduct business and manage employees.  It will affect you daily routine on whether or not you can shop for provisions or not.  It is not uncommon for a town to close to celebrate a holiday or festival, which could make it very difficult for you if you are not prepared.  Coming from many western cultures, we have adapted to keep several conveniences open, but this may be nonexistent in your new host country.  Therefore, take heed and warnings from locals.  If they say that the holiday will close things in town, listen.  

It may take some adjustment but instead of focusing on the inconveniences, think about the opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture.  Many of these festivals take on a life of its own and are widely celebrated.  Don’t be afraid to ask and learn.  Locals will see that you are making the effort and will often times include you with open arms.  Learning about these customs will also help prevent you from inadvertently offending your colleagues.  Sometimes you will not even realize what you have done.  You can get a feeling from the nuances of their reaction.  Ally yourself with a colleague who will not have a problem telling you what you did.  He or she will help you navigate the cultural landscape to make your experience more enjoyable.

Moving collections can be tricky depending on the type of collection you are moving.  Whether you are moving a fragile glass collection, art collection, cigar collection or wine collection, you will have to take some fundamental steps to ensure that you are prepared.  First, consult your insurance policies and discuss your impending move with your insurance agent.  Chances are you will have a rider on your homeowners insurance policy to cover these items, especially high-valued items.  This is important because it will serve as a basis for your discussions with your professionals here at Starline.  They will be able to guide you and help ensure you are adequately covered for your move.  Second, make sure you have an inventory of your collection.  Note all essential information, which include dates and descriptions.  Along with that inventory, make sure you take photos of each item.  This will help you in the event you will need to make a claim.  Also, when you discuss your impending move with your professionals here at Starline, make sure to let them know of any special handling instructions.  For example, does your cigar collection require humidity control?  Does your wine collection require special temperature control?

Your professionals here at Starline are familiar with these types of specialized moves.  However, any additional information you can give will help them ensure the best quality of service and manage expectations.  They will also be able to explain any cost implications with special handling procedures.

When you move especially to a new country, the transportation options that you may be used to may be very different in your new place.  Therefore, you will have to do some research ahead of time to find what will work best.  This is important because it will directly impact the location of your new residence and its proximity to your work and other amenities.

Here are a few tips to evaluate your best option:

Good luck!  Finding just the right option for you will make all the difference in a successful transition.

Your pet is a member of your family, so finding care for them after you move is an important step in feeling settled.  You want to begin by outlining what is important to you and what fits in your budget.  Once that list has been put to paper, then you can begin your search.  

You want to start with those parameters in mind and begin your research online for providers in your area.  Once you have created your short list, interview them.  You want to get to know them and see if it is the right fit.  Make sure your pet participates too.  Your pet will let you know if they are comfortable with the situation or not.  If they have a facility, take your pet there and take a tour.  This will give you the peace of mind that you pet will be cared for the way you want them to be.  If this person is coming into your home to take care of your pet, you want to make sure you check their references and standing in the community.  You also want to make sure they have the required licenses and are bonded.  This is important whenever you bring someone into your home, to protect your identity and valuables.  

Taking the time to do your due diligence will help to find just the right person for the job and will help you and your pet transition successfully.

Often times a move is due to a spouse moving for work.  In this situation, the other spouse, called the trailing spouse is left to leave his or her job, family and friends.  Although he or she may be looking forward to the new life, they may have some misgivings that will take some time to digest.  Keep in mind that when the working spouse moves for a job, he or she automatically has an opportunity to make friends, meet colleagues and have a job. Whilst the trailing spouse is left to find opportunities to make friends and get a job.  Therefore, be patient with your trailing spouse. It will take them longer to make the transition because they will have to start from scratch in their new environment.  Keep in mind that for some personalities, this will come very easy.  Whereas for others, it may pose a challenge and take even more time.    

Make the effort to spend some quality time with your spouse and help with the logistics of the move.  A move can be very time consuming, therefore taking the time to check in with your spouse will help to keep the lines of communication open.  Try to offer opportunities to meet other couples that you know or work with to give your spouse a chance to meet others.  If you have children, school and activities for them will give opportunities for your spouse to meet parents and begin to network.  If your trailing spouse is looking for work, being supportive and helping them take steps to find that opportunity through updating a resume, practicing an interview and networking will all help.  

A simple ‘date night’ that you coordinate will also help to keep an open dialog between you and your spouse.  It will also give you both an opportunity to get away from the tasks at hand.  Once you both have settled and made the transition successfully, it will strengthen your partnership.

If you are used to warmer weather and are relocating to the cold, you may have to budget to purchase some additional gear.  In addition to these purchases, you will learn to modify your behavior.  First, you want to start with doing some research.  Find out the average temperatures in your new area.  This is important because it will give you a temperature range to focus on when you buy clothing.  Winter gear will have temperature ratings noted on the tags of the items, which will serve you well in helping you determine what will work best in your new climate conditions.  You want to make sure that the temperature noted on the clothing fits within the average temperatures for the area.  Of all the gear you purchase, you want to make sure you get a good coat, gloves and snow boots.  If it seems overwhelming, ask someone, who is familiar with the area to help you.  

After you kit yourself out in your new gear, you want to focus on your car.  Keep in mind that depending on your new location, you will have to consider winterizing your vehicle.  You will have to do it before the snow flies. Some auto shops will winterize your vehicle for you and if this is your first time experiencing the winter, you may want to seriously consider using a shop to do this for you.  They will make sure your vehicle has the ample anti-freeze it needs and they will make sure that you have special window-wiper fluid that will not freeze in the cold temperatures like water will.  Further, if you own a diesel vehicle, it is important to know that in some extreme cold temperatures, diesel fuel will gel, which will prevent the vehicle from going any where until it warms up enough to liquify again.  There are block heaters that you can purchase to prevent this.  However, before you even consider such a purchase, ask an auto shop if it is even necessary.  

Over and beyond winterizing your vehicle you may have to consider your tires.  Depending on the average snow fall, you will have to see if you need to change your tires to all weather or snow tires.  In some cases, you may have to purchase chains.  Check with your local auto service to see if they are necessary.

A four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive is not necessary in cold climates.  However, it does make it easier to drive in the snow.  Front-wheel drive will work well if you have the adequate tires to give you traction in the snow.  Rear-wheel drive vehicles can pose a problem.  Make sure to leave some kitty litter in your car to help give you traction in the snow.  It will help you get out, if you are stuck.

Another tip if you are moving to colder climates is that you do not want to leave soda in your car for an extended period of time.  It may explode and make a mess in your car.  Further, make sure to dress appropriately in the cold.  If you are not careful, you can suffer frost bite.  Therefore, take the time to dress in layers to help you regulate your body temperature.  

Moving to the cold will offer you the opportunity to enjoy a plethora of winter sports.  So get the right gear, so you can enjoy the cold and what it has to offer.

Moving to a hot climate?  Check out this post from Highland Moving.

The most important moving tip to remember is to take care of the loose ends, before you move.  It is very easy to overlook things in the midst of the busy whirl wind of it all.  Therefore, when you are completing your list of tasks, identify the things that require your attention.  You want to brainstorm and make sure to list everything.  These items include, but are not limited to items like:

Post Office Boxes:  You want to make sure to address this before the date of your move.  Go to the post office and discuss your options with the attendant.  Make sure you take the appropriate steps to forward or open up a post office box in your new location.

Safety Deposit Boxes:  Take the time to go to your bank and speak to the teller.  You will have to empty out your box and turn in your key.  Don’t forget to ask for any remaining balance owed to you.  Often times you pay ahead of time for a rental period, so you want to make sure to clear that up before you leave.

Bank Accounts:  Go through all of your financial documents and make sure to address all of your banking institutions.  If they are local, take the steps to close out your accounts.  If they are national, find out about your local branch in your new area and your banks policies and procedures for transferring your money.  At the very least, make sure to give them your forwarding address.

Dry Cleaning:  Go to your local dry cleaner and make sure you have picked up all of your clothes.  Have them double check your account to make sure that you have not left anything behind.  It would be a shame, if you left without your favorite sweater. 

Tailor:  Double check with your tailor if you have left any shoes for repair.  Make sure that you make arrangements to pick them up. 

Health Records: Before leaving, you want to visit your doctor.  Make sure he or she knows that you are moving and that you need prescriptions refilled and forms signed.  This will help ensure that your new doctor will have access to your new medical records.

Prescriptions:  When you see your doctor, ask for prescription refills.  Mention to your doctor that you are moving and that you need to have enough of your medicine to make your move and get a new doctor.  This is really important to continue your standard of care during your move.

Vet Records:  Whether or not you are having your pet professionally transported or not, you still want to take them to see the vet.  Discuss with your vet the impending move and make sure to obtain copies of vaccinations and health records.  You also want to make sure you refill any prescriptions need to help your pet.

School Records:  Before you leave, make sure that you have copies of school records.  If your child has any special needs or accommodations required, make sure to have these with you.  This will help you tremendously as you meet with your new school administrators.

Birth Certificates:  If you are leaving your or your child’s place of birth, make sure to get certified copies of birth certificates.  This is important because a certified copy is important to have for various reasons.  You want to make sure to get at least two copies.  This way if one is lost you still have a back up copy to use.

Taking the time to identify these items on your list will help prevent you forgetting to address them before you leave.  It is very busy before you move, so take the time to note things whenever you think of them in order to help you monitor the progress and ensure they are addressed.

Offered an international assignment?  Congratulations!  It is an opportunity of a lifetime.  However, before you leave on your international assignment, visit your doctor.  This is critical to ensure your health and safety prior to your arrival.  It is important to get the necessary health clearance you may need to enter your new country.  Depending on where you are moving and your corporate policies, there will be different protocols.  Take the time to educate yourself on what is required.  You will have to make sure you have all of your vaccinations current and you may need additional ones for extra protection.  It is also worth your time to do some research about communicable diseases in your new country and discuss measures of protection with your doctor ahead of time.  If you are moving to a third world country, you may need to take some extra precautions.  

When you meet with your doctor, ask him or her about standard of care and health issues and any infectious diseases of concern in your new location.  Education and knowledge is the best form of prevention.  Therefore, in order to best enjoy the opportunity of an international assignment, you want to do your due diligence ahead to be prepared.  This extra effort will allow you to enjoy your time abroad and give you some peace of mind.