A Sparkler's Guide to Moving Abroad

Sparkler veevee3 knows all about moving abroad. Any of you Sparklers in the same situation? Enjoy the post! —SparkNotes Editors

It happens more than you think, moving overseas. It can happen if your parents work for the government, or if their companies relocate, or if your grandparents from the other side of the world are insisting that you come home. The numbers are enough to open schools with a decent-sized western population.
But you don’t want to go. Of course you don’t. You have to leave everyone and everything behind. But fear not! I have written nine tips for the future expatriate teen.

1. Take what you need.

One of the main problems you’re going to face is all of your stuff. You’ll be going through everything you’ve collected and gained in your life and having to decide whether to pack it, ship it, or stuff it. From my experience, things you want to take include enough outfits for a few months (shipping takes a while), favorite books, and anything you absolutely need (skateboard, guitar, make up, etc). Ship only clothes that still fit, and things like trophies and keepsakes. Unless book collecting is your hobby, don’t take more than ten. You’ll get new books wherever you’re going. Anything you don’t want or need, give to Good Will. The karma will come back to you.

2. Your electronics are now useless.

Feel that you can’t live without your hairdryer? Too bad. Not only are the plug shapes different where you're going, but the electrical current is different too. Anything you want to take you have to check and see if it will work for both power currents. In my experience, laptops will change back and forth, but things like radios, kitchen appliances, hair dryers, curling irons, and even most lamps won’t.

3. Get your parents to buy you a cell phone.

In compensation for ruining your life, most parents will promise you a nice gift if you hold your head high and take it like a big girl/boy. You have to keep in mind that unless you have one of the newer phones that has the chip, your phone won’t work overseas. And trust me, it’s not just America that’s hooked on cell phones. So make sure that you get one after you move. Most households in Europe and the Middle East don’t have a home phone because cell phones are easier and the service is a lot cheaper.

4. Go to your new school’s website.

Making the transition is a lot easier if you at least know what courses are offered. It will also save the guidance counselor a lot of trouble when putting together your schedule, instead of having to sit there for an hour with you while you try to decide whether to go into Choir or Art.

5. You will find friends.

You have to keep in mind that at the ex-pat school you’re going to, chances are that most of the other kids have been in your situation before. So they’re generally used to new students and people leaving. Probably your only problem will be picking which group of people you want to hang out with!

6. Keep in touch.

This is the big one. Luckily now we have things like Facebook and MySpace that keep us connected. Even so, make sure you have everyone’s email and phone number. Skype is a wonderful thing, and if you can get it, then you’re all set.

Also there’s the Magic Jack, which I’ve seen in WalMarts. It gives you a US area code for a small yearly fee. With it and an internet connection, you can call your friends back home any time.

7. Yes, time differences matter.

Make sure you figure that one out quickly. Before you call home, think about whether you're waking up a house full of people or not. Your friends need to figure this out too. I’ve had people call me at three in the morning my time just to say hi.

8. Don’t be totally ignorant.

It’s not just the French who are prickly about their language. Even just a few words of a native language will impress anyone. Also, if you’re moving to the Middle East, make sure you at least know when Ramadan starts. Ramadan is the fasting period in the Muslim religion, and in some countries you can be arrested just for chewing gum in public. So be careful and make sure you respect the new culture.

9. Take a deep breath.

It’s all going to be OK, I promise. Yeah, you hate it and you miss everyone and it’s not the same. But now you have a chance to meet new people and not be an ignorant American. And yes, I realize that I sound like every adult who has said “it’s a wonderful opportunity.” But really, it is.

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