06/01/2023
Have you ever thought about moving abroad? Are you thinking about it right now? Well, if that is the case, congratulations! Meeting new places and people is the fastest and best way to grow as a person. Working and living in a different country will be an unforgettable experience that is sure to change you and build you as a better person. Nevertheless,when moving to a different city, you should definitely consider certain things and prepare accordingly. If you don’t, you might find the experience a bit more stressful than it should be and you might wish to have thought about it before. So, in order for you to enjoy your Au Pair experience to the fullest, we prepared 5 tips you should keep in mind before going abroad. Check them out!
1. Know the city
It is always recommended to familiarise yourself properly with the new surroundings before moving to a new place. Get yourself as much information as possible in order to properly have an idea of the city you are going to live in. How many districts are there? Where is the town hall? Are there any interesting sites? Is there any zone you should avoid or anything you should try not to do? Knowledge is power, and it will ensure a positive experience in your host city. To do this, it is a great idea to check the respective Town Hall’s website or a tourist information office, where they will be able to give you useful information. Remember, the more you know, the better.
2. Ensure having some money in cash
Although you should avoid having all your money available in cash, it is indeed a good idea to have a specific amount of money at hand or easy to access. In some places, they only accept specific types of cards or no cards at all, like in Germany. Make sure to have some savings until you successfully establish yourself in the new place. Think about opening a bank account in the new country and inform yourself about what bank ATM’s are available in your neighbourhood.
3. Get a health check-up
You may not think about it first, but ensuring your wellbeing is an incredibly important thing to bear in mind when going abroad. Go to your doctors, tell them where you are going and inform yourself about any necessary vaccination you need for your destination country. Get a general check-up to make sure everything is in order and you are healthy and strong for your new experience. Of course, you should also purchase a health insurance that covers your medical needs during your stay.
4. Understand how transportation works in your city
Which public transportation is available in your new town? Tram? Bus? Train? Metro? What is the best way to move around in your city? Whether or not you will have an available car to ride, in case of owning a driving licence. If not, you should compare which kind of public transportation is the most economical one. In Madrid, Spain, for example, you can buy the Bono de transporte which allows you to travel through the whole city for only 20 euros a month if you are younger than 25 years. Learning how to orientate yourself in the city will be extremely important to ensure a positive experience.
5. Understand the cultural background of the country
This might sound obvious, but it is very important to learn about the culture and social norms that are present in your destination country. You don’t want to give a bad first impression and studying a bit about the country’s history might be useful, since it will allow you to better understand its people and will make it way more enjoyable. It is also very important to respect the cultural norms of the place you are going, so its inhabitants will definitely appreciate it. Afterall, remember that one of the most important aspects of the AuPair program is the cultural exchange.
Going abroad is very exciting. It might be hard at first, but with these tips you will be well prepared to give 100% on your AuPair stay. What exactly you should prepare in detail depends on the country you are going to. We recommend you to also have a look at our wiki and blog sections to receive more useful information for the preparation of your stay abroad.
