Expat News / Updates / Freak Outs
I’ll admit it, last week I was hard core slackin’ on this blog. I didn’t post quite as frequently as usual, I was slow to respond to sweet comments, and I didn’t get to do much browsing of other people’s blogs. And I missed it! But I’ve been SO busy starting to really prepare for my big move to Ireland. That’s right, soon I’ll be an expat in Ireland ahhhhh!!!!!!
Obviously I knew that moving to another country was going to take some pre-departure planning. But I guess there’s some stuff I really hadn’t thought about when it comes to moving to a different country (in this case, Ireland) as an expat, such as:
1. Am I going to have to get a new cell phone?
(Yes.) Can I just use the phone right now and change out the SIM card? (No.) How much is it going to cost for a plan over there? (No clue.)
2. What the heck do I do about my bank?
My bank charges foreign ATM and credit card charge fees so I’m going to have to get a new bank account over there for the year. Because I’ll have to have a way to deposit my checks from my job (when I get one). Which brings me to…
3. I NEED A JOB!
I’ve been sending out résumés CVs but its hard to be like “Hey! I don’t actually live in Ireland yet, but I will in about 6 weeks so you should totally hire me!” I am so eager to work and would LOVE to find a job in the creative field, but if I don’t have any luck, I’ll just start off working retail or service industry and maybe have better luck finding a job once I’m actually there.
4. PACKING UGH
Every now and then my mind wanders over to how the heck I’m going to pack in 1 (let’s be honest, probably 2) 50-lbs suitcase for an ENTIRE YEAR and I start having severe anxiety. If I had my way one whole suitcase would be just shoes. But obviously, I’m going to have to cut it down. And then…also…COATS. I have so many cute ones, but those things weight SO MUCH. So, packing is going to be interesting…and amusing…and frustrating…
5. Apartment hunting
Can’t really apartment hunt too much since I don’t know where I’ll get a job and therefore don’t know exactly where in Ireland I’ll be working/living…
6. It’s really starting to hit me that I’m not going to see my parents, grandparents, and friends for an entire year….
I don’t think its fully hit me yet (and probably won’t until I’m at the airport), but it’s definitely starting to freak me out a little. I’m going to be an expat in Ireland for a FULL YEAR! That’s the longest I’ll have ever been away from home!
7. I’m starting to wonder about little things
Like “I wonder if they’ll have some of the same brands of medicine/shampoos/makeup/random products over there that I use over here?” Not that it’s a big issue or anything, it’s just those simple little differences between countries that I’ll start to learn from and experience.
So yeah, as excited I am for becoming an expat in Ireland, I’m also nervous/anxious/overwhelmed by what expat life holds. It’ll definitely be a big adventure, and the first couple of weeks abroad will be so crazy and stressful trying to figure everything out! And honestly, I haven’t found too many helpful resources online. But hey, what’s life without some chaos..right?
Any current, former, or soon-to-be expats out there (especially expats in Ireland) who have any advice/words of comfort/tips? Would love to hear from you guys and know I’m not alone!
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