Job Discussion Forums

[ToddandJenn]

We're down to our last two months in Canada and we're feeling reasonably prepared for our move to the Czech Republic. I'm sure we're forgetting some things, so if anyone could offer some advice on that, it would be much appreciated!

What we've done:
-extended our Canadian provincial health insurance and bought supplementary health insurance
-arranged for passports
-gotten copies of our college diplomas and transcripts
-purchased the recommended books for our CELTA course and started reading them
-made sure we have enough winter and summer clothing, and clothes for all seasons in between
-purchased a cheap laptop to take
-put together some personal photos to take along
-started saving some interesting english-language pamphlets, etc. to use as teaching resources
-arranged for an apartment for our first two months there
-bought our plane tickets
-been vaccinated for Hep A and B and tetanus (probably overkill, I know, but our doctor recommended it) and arranged for a year's worth of medication
-Saved, saved and saved so we have a pretty decent amount of money to start out with in the Czech Republic and some money left at home in case of emergency
-Arranged to tie up our loose ends here (apartment, bank accounts, phones, mail, etc)

I think those are the major ones.

What are we forgetting?

Also, if anyone has some suggestions of specific teaching materials/resources that would be especially helpful in the Czech Republic, we'd love to hear those too. We've bought a Learner's Dictionary, Swan's Practical English Usage, and Teaching Tenses by Rosemary someone (can't remember the name right now) on the suggestion of our CELTA school. And we've packed some extra cassette tapes.

Oh, we're starting out in Prague to take our CELTA, but hope to move to a smaller city/town like Brno, Hradec Kralove or Liberec to work in September if that makes a difference.

Thanks everyone--we really appreciate your help.

[spiral78]

You've probably already considered these aspects of clothing, but make sure you can layer well. The Czech Rep is quite humid, and it's tough in case you are from the mid/west of Canada and aren't used to humid heat and cold. Obviously if you're from Ottawa and other more humid areas, you'll be used to it.
And you probably already know that most Czech students dress more formally than you might in Canada - you should plan on sort of business casual for work.

Also, shoes that look fairly business-like but function like hiking shoes in disguise! Lots of walking, and on uneven surfaces, hills, and etc.

Shots were probably overkill, but won't hurt you. The Czech Rep isn't a third world country! You'll find plenty of teaching resources available in bookstores.

[ToddandJenn]

Thanks for the reply, Spiral.

We are used to bitter cold but not humidity, so the tip about layering is a good one. We'll make sure to take lots of layers, not just warm clothing. We're making sure to pack some nicer clothes for work and comfortable but classy shoes as well.

We figured the shots were unnecessary, but as the nurse who gave them to us said, you can get hepatitis anywhere-- even in Canada/U.S. so we figured it wasn't a bad idea. Plus then we'll be covered in case we decide to venture into some countries a little more off the beaten path.

I guess it looks like we're mostly set to go! Thanks again.

[Roveruk]