1) The document provides advice for things not to do after getting your first job abroad, including packing too much, subletting your rental without a backup plan, and not keeping in touch with friends and family. 2) Specifically, it advises not overpacking books and other items that can now be accessed digitally or purchased abroad. It also warns against hastily subletting or letting go of your rental without an alternative plan in case the job abroad does not work out. 3) Finally, it stresses the importance of maintaining connections with friends and family by setting up ways for them to keep in touch like a Facebook page rather than cutting off contact completely when moving abroad.

1. 3 THINGS NOT TO DO
AFTER GETTING YOUR FIRST JOB
ABROAD …

2. It can be incredibly exciting when you get the phone
call/email confirming your first contract abroad!
After you make the decision that you are ready to
move, and start applying for work abroad you can
start sorting out the details. Once the decision has
been taken to work abroad things can move pretty
fast.
However, packing things up carefully always takes
longer than you think it will, and deciding what to
take with you can take even longer!
 However, don’t fall into the same traps I did when I
got my first job abroad – avoid these “3 ROOKIE
MISTAKES!”


3. WHAT TO PACK
Believe it or not, I lived abroad for over 2 years with less than 20kg! However, on my first trip I took
43kg!
Yes, I really believed that I had to take everything that I might possibly need – including a suitcase full
of books – teaching books, favorite novels, inspirational books, notebooks – you name it I took it with
me. You actually don’t need to pack so much when you leave to live and work abroad. (This is
different for families with small children).
Yes, I did have to pay additional luggage costs, but as it was for a one-year contract I reckoned it
would be worth it. To be honest it was worth it, as it’s really difficult to get good reading material in
English in the Middle East. When you live and work abroad in destinations such as the Middle East or
some parts of China your social life will be almost completely determined by your fellow teachers –
this will influence many things including the English reading material you will be able to lay your
hands on!
 That was in the days before e-books and Kindles really took off, and NOW YOU DON’T have to do
that!
Decide which books and music you can’t do without and purchase online and download onto your
phone/tablet/computer or all three to be absolutely sure!
 (Electrical devices are not as difficult to get hold of as books – just don’t expect to find an APPLE
repair place anywhere in the Middle East easily)

4. WHAT YOU REALLY NEED
Clothes, cosmetics, stationary, etc. can all be purchased
wherever you are travelling to however medical supplies
and food supplements may not be so easy.
 You cannot assume the local pharmacy will have what
you need – make phone call enquiries if you can, to
research exactly what you can expect, or take the surer
option and take supplies with you.
 If you are food intolerant, don’t expect to get be able to
get Amazon deliver all your usual standbys wherever you
are, be sensible, do your research and then you will not
face any nasty surprises.
Just don’t forget when you first go to live and work
abroad in a country you do not know:
TAKE MEDICINE AND FOOD SUPPLEMENTS WITH YOU!

5. STORAGE & SUBLETTING
If, like me, you are leaving a rental behind, think twice before sub-letting it, or letting
it go completely.
If you are in a difficult situation and for whatever reason cannot wait to relocate
abroad you may not be in the right frame of mind when making long-term decisions
– so get a second opinion from a friend, or from another English teacher, before you
decide.
(Believe it or not I was so anxious to leave London I actually let go off a one bed flat,
housing association property (low-cost rental) in Zone 2 – I guess that sums up how
anxious I was to leave!)
WHY?
 I do not want to rain on your parade, merely forewarn you – so you will be
forearmed!
 First of all, contracts abroad may not work out, and you may be left with nowhere
to return to, and no belongings easily accessible!
 Secondly, storage is expensive – so unless you have really precious furniture, sell it
all before you go, rather than try and store it, or worse still lose it all.

6. STORAGE & SUBLETTING (2)
HOW?
 Second-hand online book stores will pick up your old books from you and sell
them for you …
 if you can’t do a back-yard sale or go to a flea market to get rid of Knick knacks
and clothes, it’s really worth listing them on eBay, or even giving things away to
friends and family.
 It’s amazingly liberating to put get rid of stuff you no longer use or need, or give it
to people who will appreciate it.
 But, be honest with yourself – you don’t want to be pining over your lovingly
restored from a wreck kitchen table, like I have for nearly ten years, that I left
behind!
 Look after everything that you are attached to and ditch the rest.

7. FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Regardless of the reasons you leave to live and
work you want to move and live abroad the people
who care about you will want to know how you are
doing, do don’t forget to let them know!
Even if you feel you have your hands full with preparations and
packing, and selling off your old stuff and getting stuff into storage.
It’s very easy to set up a Facebook Page or group if you haven’t got one
already, or setting up an email list.
Let people know you are leaving, there are very few situations where
completely burning all your bridges when you pack up and leave.