Moving to a new city for a work placement or internship is an exciting but daunting prospect…
Especially if you’re going it alone or moving somewhere far from home or your university campus. There’s a lot to organise and consider and a lot of natural fears that go hand in hand with such a big step.
Finding somewhere to live, learning the geography of the area and establishing a social circle can be the primary concerns for anyone moving to a brand new town or city.
So, to help you prepare for this journey into independent, responsible adulthood, we’ve put together some handy relocation tips to make the big move somewhat smoother.
1. Do Your Research
When it comes to all things placements and internships, we thoroughly recommend checking out RateMyPlacement. Not only is it a great resource for finding a placement (if you don’t already have one) but you can read honest reviews from others who have been in your position.
You can search by location, industry or employer and you may even be able to find information about the company you’re going to work for, or perhaps reviews from people who have done the exact same internship as you.
If you’re embarking on an apprenticeship scheme, check out RateMyApprenticeship for honest reviews from previous apprentices.
2. Finding Somewhere To Live
It’s advisable to start looking for accommodation about six weeks before you move to ensure you can secure somewhere in time and you don’t have to pay more rent than you need to.
If you’re struggling to find accommodation, ask people in your new workplace for recommendations as they will give the best advice on apartments or houses that are close by or easy to access via public transport.
If  that doesn’t work, look on Gumtree or use services such as Easyroommate.com which offer rooms to rent and flatshares to suit short stays or leases of less than one year.
3. Visit Before Moving
If you’re moving to a new area that you’ve never visited before, take a trip – even just a day trip, to familiarise yourself with the area. It’s important to get a good feel for the atmosphere of a city before settling there, as it could be vastly different to what you expect.
Be sure to talk to anyone you might know who has lived in the city because they will be able to offer better advice and recommendations than any brochure or city guide ever could.
4. Moving Your Stuff
If you have a lot of luggage to take with you, send it with a luggage shipping service like Unibaggage.com. It costs from just £16.99 to send a 30kg item and we’ll provide door to door service and full online tracking. Not only is it cheap and convenient but it gives you the luxury of travelling to the new city, completely hands-free and stress-free.
If you don’t have luggage, but instead, small parcels to send, you can also check out NIParcels.com and IrishParcels.ie – both of which provide cheap courier services across the UK and to 200+ countries worldwide.
5. Form Friendships
Place a lot of emphasis on forming friendships when you move, because a new place can seem a lot scarier when you’re alone. Before leaving talk to friends and relatives and find out if they know anyone living in your new area, as having these sorts of connections can make the transition much easier.
Get to know your work colleagues too. Socialise during lunch time and coffee breaks and attend any after work gatherings and activities.
You can also try apps such as Meetup which allow you meet people with similar interests, join groups and attend events in the local area. Just try your best to get out as much as possible and say yes to every new experience. No matter how scared and intimated you are and no matter how easy it seems to just stay in your room watching Netflix, get dressed and get out into the world and you’ll be glad you did – we promise.
6. Give Yourself Time
If you don’t settle in immediately, give yourself time to acclimatise to the environment. Most people who relocate for a job don’t fall in love with the town or city overnight. It’s a process and sometimes a long one. So don’t throw in the towel and book a return journey after a week of feeling crappy and anxious – chances are, it will get easier and more enjoyable.
Are you a student? Find out how My Baggage can help you…
Learn more:
