You have decided to move overseas for a job, to teach or for retirement and this was not an easy decision to make.
Whatever the reason, there is a lot to planning ahead to make your overseas relocation successful.
First, you will want to make sure your household goods and personal effects will arrive in your new country quickly, safely and at the most cost efficient price.
You will want to hire a company like IntlMOVE (www.intlmove.com) for all of your international shipping needs.
Let the experts at IntlMOVE coordinate the packing, overseas shipping, customs clearance and home delivery of your personal belongings so you can take care of the rest of the plans that need to be made.
One issue individuals are faced with when relocating overseas is the health of their family.
There might be health risks associated with air, food and water quality that were not concerns in your home country.
You also have to research the quality of healthcare and healthcare plans in your new country of residence.
This article will give you general information, but you will want to contact a health-care professional or your embassy for guidance.
The first step to staying healthy abroad is prevention.
Get copies of all of your family’s medical records and if anybody is taking prescription medication, get extra refills so you do not run out while in the process of finding a new doctor overseas.
Get a list of all required and recommended vaccinations from the consulate or embassy of your new country and get your family vaccinated before you move.
Take time to learn about all the health risks involved in your adopted country.
Navigate through the World Health Organization (WHO) website to search for any epidemics or outbreaks of different illnesses or diseases.
Research the local climate to determine if family members are at a higher risk associated with allergies, or sensitivity to intense sunlight, heat or humidity.
The most common health problems for individuals traveling or moving abroad are related to the bacteria found in food and drinking water.
Side effects from the bacteria normally lead to short-term digestive problems, but can become more serious if not treated.
Determine whether drinking water is safe and keep in mind that ice is made from water, vegetables are washed in water and you brush your teeth with tap water.
Buying water filters can help alleviate this problem, but it might be necessary to purchase bottled water.
If you are moving to an urban area with poor sanitation and limited public health services, you will want to familiarize yourself with common ailments and treatments so you know what symptoms to look for if a family member becomes ill.
If a minor health problem develops, pharmacists can often offer very useful health advice or the country may have a public health system where you can visit a doctor for free or at a very low cost.
In many countries, you can get prescription medications over-the-counter.
Check with your embassy or consulate for a list of local doctors and healthcare practitioners.
You may not be eligible for public health care or your new country may not offer low cost health coverage, so it is important to know what options are available to you.
Depending on where you live, you may be automatically covered by the national health care system, but there are international insurance options in case this type of healthcare coverage does not apply to you.
You can also purchase traveler’s insurance at rates that are usually affordable.
Read the details of your policy and compare the coverage because some insurance might not provide the services you need and they might expect you to pay for the services up front before you are reimbursed.
Check with your employer, embassy and consulate about the healthcare options that are available to you and your family.
You should research this information before someone actually needs medical care to prevent unnecessary costs that could be very high.
Knowing what your medical coverage entails ahead of time will give you peace of mind.
