Ever uprooted and moved overseas?

This kind of goes with the other thread about uprooting and moving far away. How about uprooting and moving, say, from the US to Europe....or Europe to Canada, etc.

I'm moving to Prague in September to teach english and although they have a huge expat community there, it is still going to be very different. I'm taking Whisky with me and a few of my things and that's it!

I do know a few people over there, but they are in Hungary, England, Ukraine and Russia.

That sounds so thrilling! An acquaintance of mine held a big garage sale back in the '80s and sold everything he owned, then took the money and went to Ireland. He'd never been there -- just heard it was nice (which it is!). He got married, had kids, and stayed over there until the kids moved out and the marriage failed... and then he moved back to Austin a few years ago to start his third life.

I'm so lucky to have family... but if I didn't, I think it would be wonderful to be so footloose!

When I graduated high school I took all of my graduation money and moved to England for a year. It was one of the best things I've ever done. Prague is the most beautiful city I've ever been to, BTW, and everyone I met there was VERY nice...just watch out for pick-pocketers! I had a friend get ripped off twice in one night by a teenage girl.

What will you do with your cat? I have never went overseas to live but think it would be awesome! Enjoy yourself.

Originally Posted by cococat

What will you do with your cat? I have never went overseas to live but think it would be awesome! Enjoy yourself.

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I'm pretty sure his cat's name is Whisky, so when he said "I'm taking Whisky with me"......

Originally Posted by whiteforest

I'm pretty sure his cat's name is Whisky, so when he said "I'm taking Whisky with me"......

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Thanks! LOL Guess I missed that

Oh wow, how amazing. You'll have to keep us posted! I'd pack up and move in a heart beat if it was as easy as just packing up and moving. But Im under the impression that if you dont do something to benefit the new country (like teach english) they dont just let ya move on in.

Originally Posted by MonaxLisa

Oh wow, how amazing. You'll have to keep us posted! I'd pack up and move in a heart beat if it was as easy as just packing up and moving. But Im under the impression that if you dont do something to benefit the new country (like teach english) they dont just let ya move on in.

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They don't, you have to have a job or something that will tie you to the country. As I don't think I'll settle in Prague, I'll have to look at getting a EU citizenship and even that is about 4-5 years down the road.

Yep! I'm an ex-pat. I studied in Germany on a Fulbright scholarship for a year after getting my B.A. in German language and lit in the U.S., and met my (Hungarian-German) husband in the dorm. He moved back to the U.S. with me while I attended graduate school, but then we moved back to Germany when he got a job offer that was hard to resist.

That was nearly 26 years ago. I've held on to my U.S. citizenship, and got a permanent residence permit and unlimited work permit after ten years.

I've been teaching (German to) English (translation) at a junior college all this time. I wouldn't worry too much about not knowing anybody. If you're teaching a foreign language, many of your colleagues will also be "uprooted" ex-pats from all over, and that's a common bond.

Native speakers of English are in high demand, BTW.
Feel free to PM me.

My Husband moved from Walnut Creek, Calif to Panama when he was a Kid. They left everything behind. I have never even been to another Country.

I've done it three times. Once from the UK to the USA (California) where I stayed two years. Then from the UK to Bosnia where I stayed 10 years. And now to France, where I intend to stay forever. It is a wonderful thing to do, whether for a while or for good, because apart from learning and interacting with another culture, you learn so much about yourself and what your real feelings and personality are. I think it all made me much happier as I discovered I didn't have to put up with things I didn't like but also that I became much more open-minded and tolerant. And made many, many new friends, both in expat communities and among the locals.

i moved from germany to the U.S. when i was 18. i was in indiana for 6 month, in el paso, tx for 6 month, then moved to arizona for 4 years and then to california and that's where i am at now

Yep, moved from Australia to the US. Establishing yourself in the ex-pat community is a good place to start. Having instant friends who understand the pain of moving country helps. They usually look after new people well.

I'm off to Prague in 2 weeks, and will be staying for a week!

i semi uprooted. during university i did a year abroad and moved from canada to the UK. it was the best thing i ever did, i travelled literally all of europe and now im doing grad school so i won't have time to travel again for a long time...............oh and i adopted two cats

yea, a few times, moved from the US to Vancouver, was there less then a year, when the gf got sick of dealing with her family, so we moved to hong kong left just about everything behind . Accept the dog and cat.

few years later, i was sent to thailand by my job in hong kong, and i jsut stayed there. Left everything once again in hk. how in thailand i finally ran into a long time chat friend, ended up getting arried to her, and moving to indoensia

I'll be dragging the cats to the UK in September. I don't have any experience moving them anywhere yet so it is a really big deal. The whole defra pet scheme in house quarantine deal, blood drawing, shots, eurochips, pet passports/certificates, tick and tapeworm treatments, etc, is really a pain but better than having the poor dears go into forced quarantine for 6 months upon arrival!

My biggest concern is the flight. I'm trying to find the least stressful way to do this. I wish I could just put them both under the seat, but it seems that most airlines have a one in-cabin pet per passenger restriction.

Good luck with your move!

Originally Posted by furbum

I'll be dragging the cats to the UK in September. I don't have any experience moving them anywhere yet so it is a really big deal. The whole defra pet scheme in house quarantine deal, blood drawing, shots, eurochips, pet passports/certificates, tick and tapeworm treatments, etc, is really a pain but better than having the poor dears go into forced quarantine for 6 months upon arrival!

My biggest concern is the flight. I'm trying to find the least stressful way to do this. I wish I could just put them both under the seat, but it seems that most airlines have a one in-cabin pet per passenger restriction.

Good luck with your move!

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If you are able to take one kitty on the plane with you then id be so greatful.

To Australia the kitties have to go in Cargo! They are all done with the quarantine deal we are just awaiting a reply from AQIS

I only have one cat right now and I'm trying to get him in the cabin with me. It seems that Continental allows it but British Airways doesn't, but there cargo area is pressurized and temp controlled. Could I trust that? Whisky is 15 nest month...

Originally Posted by Whisky'sDad

I only have one cat right now and I'm trying to get him in the cabin with me. It seems that Continental allows it but British Airways doesn't, but there cargo area is pressurized and temp controlled. Could I trust that? Whisky is 15 nest month...

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After having lengthy conversations with the woman from the airlines and quarantine department, and i have freaked out twice on the phone, she told me that everything is safe and if there were bad things they wouldnt be in the business for over 30 years..

Good luck with the move, Whiskey's Dad! I know how stressful it is, but it is definitely exciting too, and will enrich your life.
How calm of a cat is Whiskey on an everyday basis? 15 is quite an age, and the trip will no doubt be stressful for him. How long is the flight - about 14 hours? Have you talked to your vet about sedation? I'd be interested to hear about it, and the options you have for carrying him on the flight. I remember reading something, I think last year, about how pets will all have to go in the cargo hold now, but I can't remember exactly when I read that.