Many academics travel abroad for work–but what about their partners? Here are few tips to help ease a temporary move with your significant other.

He says…

1. Must-do List

Before your travels, come up with a must-do list with your significant other. Discuss which things are priorities for each of you.

2. Let it go

Let go of any expectations and laugh when things don’t seem to go the way you planned. Laugh together and remind yourselves of the things that went right.

3. Plan the trip as a team!

Resist the urge to leave all the work to one person. Planning together can help prevent potential conflict and is a great way to learn more about one another.

Plan your trip as a team!

4. Agree on a budget ahead of time.

For a pleasant trip, where money isn’t an issue, get on the same page before you go. Agree on the amount both of you are willing to spend and stick with it.

5. Alone time isn’t always a bad thing

It’s true, doing things together is essential when traveling, but allowing each other time to pursue different interests is just as important.

She says…

6. Find meaningful work for yourself too

If you will be there for a while, investigate a way that you can work in this new location too. For instance, Disney has set up a program to teach English to children for spouses relocating to select Chinese cities: Beijing, Nanjing, Hangzou, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Guangzhou, and Shanghi.

7.Use your embassy as a resource

Contact your home country’s embassy in the new location and gather information about expat groups in the area.

Contact your home country’s embassy if temporarily moving abroad.

8. Tell your friends!

Inform colleagues and friends of your upcoming move. Word of mouth can sometimes return the best results.

9. Socialize

If you will be moving your family, look into social groups in the new area that might help ease the transition. For instance, a meet up group of parents and their children for a day at the park, yoga, or practicing the language of the new location.

10. Remember to enjoy yourselves

When you arrive, make a point to spend some time together–explore the new location and enjoy a new adventure!

He says/She says is a new collaborative series written by two SabbaticalHomes.com team members. We chat about these things over coffee and thought we’d write about them too! All of our choices reflect our personal preferences and no compensation has been made for anything mentioned. We’d love to hear what you think too! Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Google +.