If you’re being offered an international assignment there are often many issues involved in making the decision to move or stay. One of the most important issues for any person or family that is sent abroad by their company is the expat relocation package. This issue offers important points to cover during your benefits negotiation such as salary, moving costs, tax liability, home leave, duration of assignment and more.

Preparing to move abroad can be complicated. Preparing to move with kids may be much more challenging, but can prove to be the most rewarding family experience. Tell your children as soon as possible that they will be moving abroad. Don’t think you will make it easier on them by waiting until a later date - they will want to feel like you included them in the process.

Kelly Magowan of Six Figures advises, “The best way to begin your job search is to start with you, your skills, interests, values, abilities and motivators. Rather than trying to fit yourself into a position description, create a position description of the types of jobs you are interested in and that suit you.” OffshoreInn.com offers advice on starting your international job search, advice for those seeking a teaching job abroad and information for entrepreneurs, freelancers and those considering self-employment abroad.

You’ve probably done a great deal of research online about your destination and talked with a few expats prior to this insightful trip. Your “Look-See” trip is a great time to narrow down school and neighborhood choices, meet future colleagues and find short-term housing. Issue offers advice on the benefits of a relocation company and how to choose the right one.

Choosing the right school for your kids is a big decision. The international school (or public school, etc.) greatly impacts your child’s expat experience. This issue offers advice on researching schools, reading reviews of international schools, choosing between public and private schools and how to choose the right school. Expert advice from two well-known international education professionals.

Unless you’re very familiar with your destination, choosing the right neighbourhood or town can be a difficult decision. Proximity to schools, work, grocery stores, social venues — whatever is important to you and your family - are all important factors to consider when choosing the right neighbourhood.

Mary Anne Thompson offers great advice for people seeking jobs abroad, “There are no hard-and-fast rules that are 100% appropriate in every case. Best advice: do your homework - find out what is appropriate vis-a-vis the corporate culture, the country culture, and the culture of the person making the hiring decision. The challenge will be to incorporate several different cultures into one document.

Some of the most prominent complications surrounding an expatriate assignment can be issues that arise from an international transferee’s spouse. Sometimes referred to as expat spouses or trailing spouses, these significant others that agree to follow their loved ones to a foreign land often find the transistion from their old life to a new country to be daunting.

To find a moving company, get referrals from other people. The company you or your spouse will be working for has likely moved other expats. Request past transferees’ contact information to ask about their moving experience with the company. Before you get estimates, do everything possible to minimize the amount of items you will move.

If your health insurance plan is not already selected by your employer or you’re moving abroad on your own and would like to obtain private medical insurance, there are many options and coverage varies widely. Everyone moving abroad should carefully research healthcare in their new country.

We cannot stress enough the importance of learning the language of our new country. Even if English is widely spoken there, learning the native language will benefit you enormously. It will give you a chance to truly interact with locals, show respect for the local culture and engage in the expat experience. It is important to learn about the country that you are living in. Customs are different and learning about it was an interesting experience for me. Living it you learn a lot more, but taking a class in cross-cultural training is a great beginning.

Although there is a lot in the press these days about people taking “staycations” where they take their vacation at home, don’t be lulled into thinking that means quicker processing of passports. There were many travelers affected a few years ago by the backups at the Passport Office who can tell you through hard experience that the sooner you apply for your passport the better.

Before you even accept the job offer and start packing up your life, discuss the work permit with the employer. Ask them what documents they will need from you and who your contact person is at the company for any questions that you have. Ask for periodic updates on the status of the permit

Offshore.com offers advice on foreign exchange rates, opening a bank account abroad, online banking, obtaining credit abroad and much more. Because of the complexities of expat taxes issues, we highly recommend that expats of any nationality use an expat tax professional. Issue covers topics such as tax treaties, foreign earned income exclusion and taxes for - individuals employed by a foreign employer, for married couples, self-employed expats.

Should You Buy Abroad? That’s the million dollar question and the answer seems to be changing day-by-day and country-by-country. If you ask we probably already have a member living ion your chosen country who can offer advice.

Technology has made a tremendous impact on expats’ lives. Technologies can help you simplify your life, work for efficiently and from anywhere in the world, connect with fellow expats and stay in touch with friends and family back home. Wouldn’t it be nice to bypass trying to make friends in your new country after you arrive and instead make connections before you move? These days with technology and the Internet it’s possible with a little effort.

Starting a new job and moving are listed among the Top Ten most stressful events. As an expat, you are dealing with both - on top of being in a new culture and possibly with a new language. So how do you manage the stress, keep organized and get everything done? There isn’t one magic answer that works for everyone, but there are different things you that can try to see what works for you.