What Nobody Tells You About MovingCountries Alone

AfricanCocktail

Third-culture African founder building brands (and a life) across the continent, in public.

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What Nobody Tells You About Moving Countries Alone

Moving countries alone is hard, complicated, lonely and gruelling. It's also worth it. I have never regretted a move I've made on my own. The secret isn't avoiding the discomfort. It's planning for it, and planning around it.

It's hard.

Moving is emotionally and physically exhausting. When I moved from the United States to the DRC, it took everything I had.

I packed for days, sold my car, listed most of my apartment on Facebook Marketplace, and had to grieve the life I'd built over twelve years.

One friend helped me pack. For the rest, I was on my own: long days, aching back, and a few emotional breakdowns along the way.

It's complicated.

I moved during a global pandemic, which is about the worst timing anyone could choose. I had to pack up my entire life and avoid getting sick at the same time.

My situation was unusual, but moving is no less complicated today. Many African countries require proof of vaccination, such as yellow fever, and booking those shots isn't always simple.

Only certain travel clinics may offer them, so plan early.

It's lonely.

Every move comes with a particular kind of loneliness. Familiar things disappear, and the new place is unknown. I moved from a life of independence to one surrounded by family, and it still felt lonely. I missed the solitude, and I missed the friends who had become my family in every sense. Add a time difference, and the loneliness gets heavier.

Hard, not impossible. Complicated, not insurmountable. Lonely, not isolating. A move can be the best thing that ever happens to you. Plan for the best, and let life surprise you with the rest. I'm a firm believer in the 80/20 rule: plan for 80%, and leave 20% for the surprises.

The 80%: what to do before, during and after

Three checklists go with this article: before you go, during the move, and after you arrive. Each item notes where it comes from. Where a source is missing, the item is marked as general advice.

BEFORE YOU GO

See a travel-medicine provider early. The CDC recommends this, and some vaccines need time to take effect.
Get the yellow fever vaccine at a clinic that issues the certificate, at least 10 days before you travel.
Confirm from which age the yellow fever certificate is required. Sources differ (nine months or one year), so check the embassy.
Ask about malaria prevention. Chloroquine is not effective in the DRC.
Ask about other vaccines, including hepatitis A and typhoid. Polio vaccination is required if you’ll stay more than four weeks.
Get health insurance that covers emergency evacuation. Doctors and hospitals often expect cash payment.
Pack personal medicines. Medical facilities are limited outside the large cities.
Keep digital and paper copies of your passport, visa, vaccination certificate and insurance.

DURING THE MOVE

Carry your yellow fever certificate at all times.
Treat your drinking water, and avoid swimming in fresh water because of bilharzia. If you develop a fever, get tested for malaria straight away.
Keep one running list of what’s done, what’s pending and who to call, and track every cost.

AFTER YOU ARRIVE

If you develop a fever within 21 days of leaving a malaria-risk area, get tested promptly and tell the doctor where you’ve been.
Find your people within 90 days: a founders’ group, a faith community, a sports club or a returnee network.
Check in with yourself at 30, 60 and 90 days. Ask what’s working, what’s lonely and what needs fixing.

For teams and employers

If you're relocating staff, plan the same way: medical checks, insurance cover, a welfare contact on the ground, and a budget for surprises. The duty of care matters more when it isn't just you.

The move will be hard. Plan for it, and let yourself have the good parts too.

Before publishing
• Yellow fever age threshold: confirm with the embassy (sources say nine months or one year).
• The 21-day fever guidance comes from the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Belgium. Check it fits your readers’ origin countries.
• The 30/60/90 check-ins and 90-day community step are general advice, not sourced to a health authority.
• Check current entry restrictions on the CDC Traveler View page before publishing.