Your First Week Abroad: 12 Things You Need to Set Up Immediately
You finally made it.
Your bags are unpacked, or at least sitting in the corner. You've arrived in your new country, found your accommodation, and probably called home to tell everyone you are safe.
But after the excitement wears off, a question starts to appear:
“What am I supposed to do now?”
Moving abroad isn't finished when you land at the airport.
In many ways, that's when the real transition begins.
During your first week, you'll need to figure out transportation, communication, money, healthcare, documents, groceries, and your daily routine, all while trying to understand a place you've never lived in before.
Trying to figure everything out randomly can leave you overwhelmed.
The good news is that you don't need to solve your entire new life in seven days.
You simply need to set up the right things first.
Here are 12 things you should prioritize during your first week abroad.
Why Your First Week Abroad Matters
Your first week creates the foundation for your first month.
If you know how to get around, communicate, access your money, find essential services, and handle important documents, everyday life becomes much easier.
But if you postpone everything, small problems can quickly become bigger ones.
You may discover that you don't know how to get to your university.
Your phone plan may not work properly.
You may struggle to access money.
You may not know where the nearest supermarket or healthcare facility is.
That's why your first week should be about getting established, not trying to do everything at once.
1. Confirm Your Accommodation
Your first priority is making sure your accommodation is secure.
Confirm:
- Your exact address
- How to access the building
- Where your keys are kept
- Wi-Fi arrangements
- Utility arrangements
- House rules
- Emergency contact information
- How to report maintenance problems
If you're staying in student accommodation, find out where reception or the accommodation office is located.
If you're renting privately, keep a copy of your rental agreement and important contact information.
Take photographs of the condition of the property when you move in, where appropriate.
This can help you keep a record of the property's condition at the beginning of your tenancy.
2. Get Your Phone and Internet Working
Your phone is one of your most important tools during your first week.
You may need it for:
- Maps
- Transportation
- University communication
- Banking
- Emergency calls
- Messaging family
- Online appointments
- Authentication codes
Make sure your SIM or eSIM is working and that you have enough data.
If you need home internet, find out whether it is already provided or whether you need to arrange it yourself.
Don't leave communication until you urgently need it.
3. Learn How Public Transportation Works
You don't need to know the entire transportation system immediately.
Start with the routes you will use most.
Learn how to travel from:
Home → University/work
Home → Supermarket
Home → Healthcare facility
Home → City centre or major transport hub
Find out whether your destination uses travel cards, mobile tickets, contactless payment, or another system.
Download the appropriate transportation or navigation apps if necessary.
Your goal during the first week isn't to become an expert.
It's simply to stop feeling lost every time you leave your accommodation.
4. Organize Your Money
Your finances need attention early.
If you haven't already done so, understand how you'll access your money in your new country.
Depending on your circumstances, this may include:
- Opening a local bank account
- Setting up online banking
- Understanding payment methods
- Checking international transfer options
- Organizing your student finances
- Setting a weekly spending limit
Keep some emergency funds accessible.
Also keep track of your first-week spending.
It's easy to spend more than expected when everything is new.
A coffee here, transportation there, takeaway food, and several small purchases can quickly add up.
5. Complete Important University or Work Registration
If you're an international student, check your university's arrival and registration requirements.
You may need to complete:
- Student registration
- Identity verification
- Orientation
- Course registration
- Student ID collection
- Accommodation registration
- Other institution-specific requirements
If you've moved abroad for work, there may also be employment-related onboarding or administrative tasks.
Don't assume that because you've arrived, everything is automatically complete.
Check your emails and official portals carefully during your first week.
6. Understand Your Healthcare Arrangements
Find out how healthcare works where you live.
You should know:
- What healthcare service you are entitled to use
- How to access routine healthcare
- Where the nearest healthcare facility is
- Where to find a pharmacy
- What to do in an emergency
If you take regular medication, make sure you understand how to obtain it locally.
Keep important health information accessible.
You don't want to start researching healthcare systems for the first time when you are already unwell.
7. Organize Your Important Documents
Your first week is a good time to organize your paperwork.
Keep your important documents secure, including:
- Passport
- Visa or immigration documents
- University documents
- Accommodation agreement
- Insurance documents
- Identification documents
- Financial records
- Employment documents, if applicable
Create secure digital backups where appropriate.
Organize your files so that you don't have to search through dozens of messages when someone asks for an important document.
8. Save Emergency Contacts
Don't wait until there's an emergency to start searching for a phone number.
Save important contacts such as:
- Local emergency services
- University emergency/support services
- Accommodation management
- Employer, where relevant
- Healthcare contacts
- Trusted family or friends
- Local transport information
You should also know your exact address.
If you need assistance, being able to clearly explain where you are can be extremely important.
9. Find Your Essential Local Services
Spend some time learning what's around you.
Locate:
- Supermarket
- Pharmacy
- Bank or ATM
- Healthcare facility
- Public transport stops
- University/workplace
- Post office or relevant service centre
- Places where you can purchase essential items
You don't have to memorize the entire neighbourhood.
Just identify the places you are most likely to need.
A 20-minute walk around your neighbourhood can teach you a surprising amount.
10. Buy Only the Essentials
Your first week can trigger unnecessary spending.
Everything is new, and you may feel like you need to buy an entirely new set of household items.
Don't.
Start with the essentials.
Depending on your accommodation, these may include:
- Food
- Toiletries
- Cleaning supplies
- Basic cooking items
- Bedding
- Laundry supplies
- Chargers or adapters
- Weather-appropriate clothing
Before buying something, ask:
“Do I need this now, or can it wait?”
This simple question can protect your first-month budget.
11. Establish a Basic Daily Routine
Moving abroad can disrupt your normal routine.
You may be dealing with a different time zone, unfamiliar surroundings, new responsibilities, and a completely different daily environment.
Start creating a simple routine.
Set regular times for:
- Sleeping
- Eating
- Studying or working
- Shopping
- Exercise
- Calling family
- Exploring your surroundings
You don't need a perfect schedule.
You need enough structure to prevent every day from becoming chaotic.
12. Build Your Local Support Network
Don't spend your first week completely isolated.
If you're an international student, attend orientation activities and connect with other students.
You can also identify:
- Student support services
- International student groups
- Community organizations
- Religious or cultural communities, if relevant to you
- Professional networks
- Trusted people in your new city
You don't need hundreds of new friends.
Even having two or three people you can contact when you have a question can make the transition easier.
Your First Week Abroad Checklist
Before your first week is over, aim to have these basics covered:
☐ Accommodation confirmed
☐ Phone/SIM working
☐ Internet arranged
☐ Main transportation route understood
☐ Access to money organized
☐ University/work registration completed
☐ Healthcare arrangements understood
☐ Important documents organized
☐ Emergency contacts saved
☐ Essential local services identified
☐ Basic groceries and necessities purchased
☐ A simple daily routine established
You don't have to complete everything perfectly.
The objective is to create a functional foundation for your new life.
What About Everything Else?
This is where many newcomers make a mistake.
They try to solve everything during their first few days.
They want to find the perfect job, make lots of friends, explore the entire city, understand every government process, buy everything they need, and completely settle into their new life immediately.
You don't have to.
Think of your first week as stabilization.
Get the basics working first.
Then use the rest of your first month to gradually build your routine.
Plan Your First 30 Days—Not Just Your First Week
Your first week is only the beginning.
During the rest of your first month, you'll probably encounter additional tasks involving money, transportation, documents, accommodation, healthcare, communication, and daily life.
That's why having a simple plan can make such a difference.
Download the New Immigrant's First 30 Days Checklist
If you're preparing to move abroad, the New Immigrant's First 30 Days Checklist can help you organize the practical tasks you should think about during your first month.
Instead of wondering what you've forgotten, you can work through the important areas one step at a time.
Download the free New Immigrant's First 30 Days Checklist before you travel.
It can become your practical companion as you transition into your new country.
Final Thoughts
Your first week abroad doesn't need to be perfect.
You don't need to know everything about your new country.
You don't need to have your entire future figured out.
You simply need to establish the foundations that allow you to function safely and confidently.
Get your accommodation sorted.
Get your phone working.
Learn your transportation.
Organize your money.
Understand your healthcare.
Secure your documents.
Find essential services.
Build a small support network.
Then give yourself time.
Moving abroad is a major transition, and settling into a new environment doesn't happen overnight.
If you want a broader practical resource covering the realities of starting fresh abroad, The New Immigrant's Survival Guide provides guidance for starting life in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.
Your first week is about getting established. Your first month is about getting settled.
