How I did it: Put my stuff in storage, left my apartment and put myself, my boyfriend and my dog and cat on a plane.

I had wanted to do it for years, but didn't know where or when, or how.  While in school, I met my boyfriend, now fiance, who was moving. After I graduated, we thought the jobs would be better, he'd be able to get national health, and it would be good to be near his family. 

Lessons & tips: Leave your country with a letter from: the authorities saying 'you're a good person', the courts saying 'you're single and able to marry', the doctor saying "you're healthy"  (these will save you a trip if you find you can stay longer)

If your just going, don't forget to learn to hustle...

learn the language once you get there, or before:)
if you are in a counrty that speaks another language, hand out with people who speak it, you'll understand it before you can speak it, but it helps a lot more than speaking your native language.

Expect jet lag, culture shock and excitement the first week, homesickness off and on the first 3 months, mixed feelings of loving it and hating it the first year.

Leave as responsibly as you can.
Don't make excuses on why you shouldn't do it!
Do it!
You'll take stuff you'll never use, you'll leave stuff you wish you brought, and that is life. Expect it, and take what is really important, and leave the rest."

Resources: every government has websites that tell you the laws of moving. There are expat blogs for every country.
People I knew who were where I was going.
The will to move and just try it! :)

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Sep 13, 2009, 06:19AM PDT | 0 comments | 1 cheer