Guide to a Successful Expatriation

In this article, you will find a list of things you should consider before leaving home. Ideally grab a piece of paper and a pen, and write down your project, your goals and study the country. You will be surprised how by preparing properly your expatriation and knowing where the difficulties will be, you will be able to go pass them with more motivation and save precious time on-site.

Evaluate your capacities to adapt

Being able to cope with unusual situations and adapt to another countries culture is an essential quality for an expatriate. If you are too attached to your own cultural value, expatriation can be a complicated experience. But beware: these skills are not definitive. Life abroad also can profoundly change the perceptions of others and open to the world

Define your project

Your expatriation project must answer the question: "what is it that I'm going to win?". It should be much more than just financial reasons. Develop skills, broaden your horizons, extend your network, integrate a company? These are the elements that will make up the expatriation project. It is vital to define beforehand what you want to get from this experience in order to take maximum advantage of it.

Think about the entire family

If you are planning to move abroad with a spouse or a family to support it is essential that it is done as a family experience and each member of the household must have an individual project. Each member of the family must find their own purpose for the expatriation not just follow the other. Otherwise in a couple for example, one might get bored very quickly or refuse to integrate the new life which would ruin the whole experience.

Assess how expatriation will affect your career

Living abroad often constitutes a rewarding personal experience. It might be about learning the country’s language or increasing your capacity to adapt or an obliged step to climb in the hierarchy of your company. 

But we must measure the actual consequences of the expatriation on your CV. Is the practice a foreign language valued in my business? Will the sacrifices made abroad slow down my career? Does working in a foreign subsidiary put me away from the decisions makers? If these issues should not be brakes initially, they must however be asked to avoid disappointments later on.

Understand the local labor market

Depending on whether you're sent abroad by your business or you decide to go by yourself, the approach to the labor market is different. In the first case, on-site job awaits you; in the other, you will need to find a job. You will need to think in advance about the structure of the labor market in the country and the possibility of finding work within your field.  You will also have to set how much time you will give yourself to find a job. Some States ask to go if you're not employed quickly and you will have to be able to fund the time you will be unemployed.

Understanding the job market is assessing your chances of finding a position in your industry, understanding the skills required or even studying the economic situation of the country. For example, to find a job in Hong Kong, it is better to be trader than a French teacher.

Find employment locally

For those on the quest for a job abroad, the job search is a critical time. It is essential to be aware of the recruitment methods used in the destination country. Being aware of the country’s CV and Cover Letter format, having references ready and arranging interviews before leaving will save you precious time. Do not assume that the CV type you have been using in the UK will be valid in Australia or the USA, you might upset employers and lose credibility.

 

Study your employment contracts

Expatriation has various legal forms. Be careful before signing you contract if you beneficiate of your home countries employment laws, a special expatriate contract or if you will be under a local contract. For example, if you come from France, where you were entitled to 5 weeks paid holiday, employment security and high taxation system and move to Australia. On a local contract you would lose 1 week holiday and might find you contract specifies you can be fired overnight.

Be aware of life conditions in the destination country

It is vital to consider the country where you are going, living conditions, weather, safety, and, if possible, find out what your everyday reality will be. Whenever possible, the ideal is to go on holiday or take an unpaid leave or a sabbatical to make sure you actually like your new life before you quit your job to discover the real life on the spot. Some would prefer developing countries when others can only live in capitals cities. You must find the appropriate destination to suit your lifestyle.

Immerse yourself in the host country’s culture

Don’t rush to your community’s suburb as soon as arrived. The key to a successful expatriation isn’t to live in you expat bubble, learn about the country meet the people, learn the language, you will be pleasantly surprised and you will get so much more out of your experience.

Adapt to local methods

The working environment will be different business hours, hierarchical relationships change from a country to another. Don’t be shocked if in Spain they have a good 2h lunch break or if in Australia you are offered a beer on the workplace a Friday afternoon. These differences are what make the country unique, try to adapt and be open.

Keep in touch with your home country

Just because you are away for a few years, don’t forget to keep contact with your home country and keep your network alive to ease your return. Don’t lose a network you have been building for years or good friendships; you will be glad when you come home.

Understand you will go through different stages of mindset

Even if it is not your first expatriation and you are fully prepared, moving home isn't emotionally simple. When you arrive in your new country, you will find yourself going through a range of feeling from overwhelming excitement to stunned shock, from momentary panic and homesickness to a feeling of euphoria as you realize what you have achieved, and all the opportunities in front of you. 

It is actually one of the best feelings in the world when you have planned and prepared for relocation and then you realize it and make it happen!

Enjoy the positive feelings and don’t worry about the negative ones – they are 100% to be expected, everyone goes through the thought process where you encounter a few tough days trying to adjust. The best way to go through it is to remember why you made the move in the first place and what your goals were.

Planning Your Relocation

You have the desire to move, see new horizons and have a life changing experience and/or your company is relocating you to a different country. But leaving your old life behind, moving on to a new culture and way of life isn’t that easy it requires a lot of questioning about your intentions, planning and cash.


Especially if your move doesn’t just involve yourself it will be a long process just to get the Visa sorted, schools, finding employment, housing etc. and if you haven’t thought it through properly it might all be in vain.


First of all, it might be obvious, but before you give your resignation and sell your car, it is very important that you actually think about the reasons of your move and what you want to get from it. Everyone involved in your relocation must have a personal project they want to accomplish when they leave their home behind and if you are not clear about it you won't reach it and you might fly home on the first flight back.


So check out our Guide to a Successful Expatriation. It will give a list of subject you should consider before any relocation and tips on how to make the most out of it.


Now if you are really up for it, and you know what you want to get from this experience, here’s a list of topics you must think of before leaving:


1. Immigration: What Visa should you apply for? How long does it take to get the Visa granted? Does it give you full working rights? When can you enter the country?


2. Employment: Can you be relocated by your current company? Should you take a sabbatical or ask for unpaid leave the time of your expatriation or until you know you actually like your new life? Will you be able to find employment in your field? Or will you have to adapt? How will it affect your career? What salary should you expect?


3. What are you going to do with your house? Sell it or rent it? This involves fees, taxes and time maybe a lose make sure you take it into consideration


4. Furniture, car and personal effects: What will you sell, give away, recycle or pack up and take with you? How are you going to arrange the removal? Can everything fit in a suitcase or do you need a full 40 foot container?


5. Funding: Have you got enough savings to cover the cost of the removal? What if finding a job takes time, how long will you be able to last?


6. Education: Is there a good school for your children where you are moving? Will their education suffer from the move? What University programs you should opt for?


7. Medical: Are you covered by your home insurance? What local insurance to choose? Do you need vaccination?


8. Furry friends: It can take up to 6months to get all vaccination and quarantine cleared so prepare in advance.


9. Flights: How are you going to get there?


10. Accommodation: Where are you going to stay at first? Should you rent from overseas without visiting? Where to go to find a flat? Which suburbs? Which budget?


11. Banking: Will you use your home bank for daily expenses in France? How much does your bank change you for overseas transactions? With which French bank should you open a bank account with? How will you organize funds transfer?


12. Registering with the French Tax Office: You will have to open a Social Security Number, get it done as soon as possible


13. Inform your home country of your move: Which organizations do you need to inform of your move before leaving?


14. Register at your new local embassy or consulate: Will be essential if you lose your passport or need help from your government for any reason


15. Telecommunication: Quite soon in your relocation you will have to get a French SIM card, in order to be contacted from future employers and create relationships or be contacted easily from home. Find out what are the best packages for expats.

Refinish a hardwood floor

Refinishing your hardwood floors takes patience and time and it can be a very messy project but with the proper tools and knowledge, the results can be extraordinary and well worth your efforts.

After a few years all wooden floors need to be refinished. Most people bring in someone to sand the floor for an optimum result. If you want someone trustworthy to help you on refinishing your floors just give me a call 0687938395 and I will be happy to have a look at the work that need to be done and give you a free quote.

But if you want to do it yourself read the rest of this article. With my recommendations you can easily take off old vanish, all scratches, cracks, marks, repairing previous sanding jobs, or change the color of the tint.

Before starting to refinish your hardwood floor it is best to remove everything from the room.

1.  I mean all furniture and wall hanging have to go.
2. Cover light fixtures with a rubbish bag and secure with masking tape.
3.  Tape up every opening vents, switches and outlets.
4. Close off the room from the rest of your house by hanging a plastic sheet over the door opening or sealing the opening with masking tape.
5. Check floor for any nails or staples.
6. Vacuum the floor to remove any dirt and debris.

How to do the Floor Sanding

Several passes with a sanding tool is required for the smooth finish you wish to achieve so make sure you have good ventilation while sanding. This is very important as you can get very sick by not being careful with the sanding.

Choosing the machine:

There are several sanding machines available for this job. Personally I prefer to use the hand sander with a shopvac attached. Talk to the shop vendor for recommendation of what is best for your project.

Choose your sandpaper accordingly; remember the smaller the grids number the rougher the sand paper. You will need various levels for the whole process.

Start with a low grit number 20 or 30 then go up to 120.

When using these machines:

It is important to work slowly and let the machine do the work. You may want to try and practice in an area you know will be covered by a rug or sofa, this way any beginner sanding errors will be concealed plus it will give you a chance to get a feel for the machine.

Always keep the machine moving while running. Do not let the machine stand still while running or this will damage your floor.

Step 1:

Sand the entire area with the low grit number sandpaper, then use an edge or a detail sander to get to the areas you could not reach.

Remember to vacuum and clean the floor thoroughly after each sanding.

Step 2:

Next move onto a 60 grit sand paper and repeat the entire process cleaning thoroughly afterwards.

Finish by sanding the entire floor with a 100 or 120 grit sandpaper, cleaning with a vacuum afterwards.

With a cloth, wet with mineral spirits, wipe the entire floor clean of any residual sanding dust.

Mineral spirits takes only a few minutes to dry. Give them at least 30 minutes before moving on.

Step 3:

Once the floors are dry, you can apply your sealer or stain to your newly refinished floor.

It is essential you follow very carefully the instructions on you sealer or on the stain you select as each product differs in application and drying times.

Always start from the far end of the room and work your way towards the doorway.

Spread out evenly and work slowly to avoid bubbles in the sealer.

Allow a couple of hours as directed for the base coat sealer to dry. Some stains require more than one coat with sanding in between.

Apply polyurethane in the same manner as you did with the base coat.

Leave to dry as recommended and then apply a second coat.

If you apply a third coat please give adequate time to dry between coats for maximum outcome.

Allow 24 hours after final coat before walking on or moving your furniture back into the room.

Step 4:

Enjoy your new floors.

My Guarantee

I can guarantee you I will quote you the best value for money rate in Ile De France.  Whatever the projects you will love the results and will be amazed by how fast I work. 

Before I quote each job I assess exactly what needs to be done for an optimum result, what are the best products and tools necessary and quote you according to your requirements. Plus you will get to work with someone who understand your needs and speaks your language.

If you live l’île Saint Louis, Bastille, Nation, Republique, le Quartier Latin, Montparnasse, Montmartre, Boulogne-Billancourt, Issy-Les-Moulineaux, Versailles, or anywhere around Paris and you want to improve the value of your house for a resell, fix a problem or to improve your lifestyle. 


Give me a call 0687938395 or send me an email irishhandymaninparis@gmail.com for a free quote!