Moving abroad is complicated. Of course I knew living abroad would be challenging, but other than support raising I didn't really think much about the pre-departure preparations. But there's a lot to do before leaving for the field.
Yesterday I spent a few hours researching IRAs. Two days ago I barely knew what an IRA was. Now I know enough to realize that finding a good IRA for an expat who will also be applying for foreign earned income exclusion is pretty darn confusing.
Today I researched how to create a Will online for free. On Monday I'm scheduled to get a typhoid shot. Next week I should get my new credit card, which I researched to make sure had no international transaction fees (and would be accepted in my country).
All the while I'm studying a brand new language so that I'll know some basics when I arrive. And raising support. And trying to figure out what size luggage I will need to move across the ocean for two years. And what security features I'll need to learn and employ before I go. And how I can say goodbye to my friends and family in meaningful ways.
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I'm not writing all of this to complain or to get sympathy from you. I actually kind of enjoy having a to-do list that doesn't involve reading textbooks, writing papers, or studying for exams. I guess I just want to show that moving overseas is not all glamour and excitement. There's a lot of paperwork and tedious things to do. And that's good, because it means that this thing is really happening. The more "boring, practical" things I check off my list, the more I'm able to vizualize myself living over there.
This is real life. Six weeks to go!