Working Abroad - Packing Tips and Know-how

Great article on ' packing tips from travel pros' click here
 www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/business/06PACK.html

At expatknowhow we advise the following:

• Be clear on the type of trip you are taking and therefore what may be needed – location/weather type/air-conditioning/walking/entertaining/health needs etc….. 
• Plan the best type of luggage to use case/backpack and properly label and ensure the case is easily distinguished with a strap, ribbon or colourful tape. Many cases look the same when waiting at a conveyor belt. 
• Be clear on what items you may be able to buy that are cost effective when you get to your destination. 
• Plan your wardrobe; try to create a capsule set of items that can be mixed and matched and easily interchangeable and also try to choose items that do not easily crease or are easy to wash. Try to minimise footwear/bags by choosing a neutral colour that will go with everything.
• Plan your items and find a dedicated space to lay them out in advance of the trip. Or if space is an issue put the items in the case/backpack loosely as you think of them so they are all in one place when the time comes to pack. 
• Be clear on airline weight restrictions and carry on rules. Check the airline website. 
• When packing; place the heavy items at the bottom of the case (shoes/wash bag etc.) so that light items are on top and don’t get crushed.
•  Decant or buy small items of toiletries, many makes today have travel size options. 
• Make use of shoes and heavy items at the bottom of the case by filling with socks/underwear/swimming costume etc… 
• Wherever possible pack clothes in a tight roll and pack into a space tightly, this will minimise creases and crush marks. 
• If space is a serious issue then it may be worthwhile to vacuum pack some items. 
• When going to a cold country wear any heavy items boots/coat onto the plane to save the space and weight in the case. 
• Be prepared and always have a spare change of clothes and any spare glasses, medicines or contact lens solutions (be clear on the airline liquid restrictions) etc.. in your carry on luggage, as these may be needed in case the flight is delayed or you miss a connection or if the cases don’t arrive at the final destination.

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Are you thinking of living or working abroad?
Need help or support?
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Relocation tips when moving to live and work abroad

•What assistance does your employing company provide for new arrivals locally?
-Find out and make the most of all support given

•Many cities have active expat social groups that can prove to be a good source of practical information for everyday life and settling in matters.
-Ask your relocation agent for an up to date list.

•Join online expat communities that will enable you to connect with other expats in the local area.
-Find out first hand how they overcame issues during their own relocation.

•Most importantly, don't forget to ask your relocation agent for any tips they may have for you to make the most of your package.
-Remember that they are your ally and they want more than anything else to have happy clients and customers, so will be more than available to provide any tips they can to assist you in your move and settling in to your new assignment.
 
Happy Relocating...

If you need help with planning to live and work abroad as an expatriate then contact us at expatknowhow:


http://www.expatknowhow.com/menus/main.asp?PN=Contact
http://www.expatknowhow.com/
Follow us on twitter @expatknowhow
or sign up to our Blog http://www.expatknowhow.blogspot.com/

Advice from an experienced expat

The one thing that makes for a happy expat experience is good old fashioned advance preparation.

As true as this is for the expat, it is even more true for his/her family. As there is no such thing as a happy expat with an unhappy family.

If you are planning to live and work abroad then whether you have six months or six weeks to prepare for your expat assignment, there is a lot you can do in advance to make the transition as smooth as possible. Three humble suggestions to consider:

1. Throw away the travel guide book to your future home - Worse than useless. They usually give a tourist's view of a city/country, with no real sense for what it is like to live there.

2. Confront the facts - good, bad and ugly - and make sure any family members do the same. Some places are tough to live, and all are different from home in some difficult ways. The more you know about the negative aspects of your new home, the more you will avoid disappointment on arrival. You may even be pleasantly surprised.

3. Get professional help - With the internet touching nearly every corner of the world, there has never been an easier time for an expat to keep in touch with friends and family back home. But don't let this fool you into thinking the expat life is easy; an overseas assignment will still present you and your family with numerous challenges. Consulting a professional expat advisor before you leave is a wise move. Many employers will pay for this service, as it is helps ensure a good return on the huge investment they are making in sending you overseas.

Do you need professional help and support?
Then contact us at expatknowhow to find out how we can help you.
http://www.expatknowhow.com/menus/main.asp?PN=Contact
http://www.expatknowhow.com/
Follow us on twitter @expatknowhow
or sign up to our Blog http://www.expatknowhow.blogspot.com/

Travel advice

I recently had an article posted on the online magazine - Executive Traveller.
This magazine has lots of useful info and tips about travel. Places to stay, deals to be had, tips for travel, etc....
Go and take a look -
http://www.executivetraveller.net/
For those of you out there about to fly somewhere or return home, i hope that you avoid both the BA strike and the Iceland volcanic ash.......
Happy Travels...

How to avoid Jet Lag

To follow on with my recent theme of air travel and IT. I recently read this great article about jet lag on the LinkedIn Global Worker Group:

'American mathematicians are working on a new software that could potentially halve the number of days it takes to adjust to a new time zone. The software, which is being developed by the University of Michigan and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, which focuses on the proper way to use an already-accepted method for beating jet lag–timed light exposure. For many, timed-light exposure works. But what some don’t know, is that if it is applied incorrectly, it can actually worsen your jet lag.

Researchers say the computer program they’re creating will allow travelers to maximize their efforts to beat the problem, resulting in more efficient sleep, a decrease in fatigue, and an increase in cognitive performance.

Travelers would simply enter the details of their flight into the program to receive specific instructions on the basics, such as when to sleep, when to go outside and spend time in the daylight, or how to take supplements believed to help curb jet lag, such as melatonin.

The research and resulting solutions could take another five years or so to complete, but when the work is complete, there are likely to be multiple applications, not just for jet lag. If you work the night shift, or under extreme work conditions, the software may be able to help you, too.

A book on jet lag was also recommended - Overcoming jet lag - Charles F Ehret, Lynne Waller Scanlon

Happy Sleeping!