"First-Time Caregiver Abroad: Essential Tips & Insights"

Published: 29.04.2021 v kariérne tipy

This article is intended for those of you who have not yet been abroad and are still gathering the courage to travel there. Concerns about working abroad vary; often, the reason is a weak knowledge of a foreign language or unfamiliarity with the laws of the given country. The distance from loved ones also does not add to the sense of security, and thus many take years to decide to travel. Specifically, for example, the job of a caregiver requires a longer separation from family, ranging from several weeks to several months. On the other hand, those who have already taken the plunge have the opportunity to experience a different country and its culture, thereby broadening their horizons. 

First Time as a Caregiver Abroad - Everything You Need to Know Before Traveling

This article is intended for those of you who have not yet been abroad and are just gathering the courage to travel. Concerns about working abroad vary, often due to a weak knowledge of the foreign language or unfamiliarity with the laws of the country. The distance from loved ones also does not add to the sense of security, and many take years to decide to travel. Specifically, for example, the job of a caregiver requires a longer separation from family, from several weeks up to several months. On the other hand, those who have already made the decision have the opportunity to get to know another country and its culture, thus broadening their horizons. 

In the previous edition of our blog, we focused on the countries to which Slovak women most frequently travel for caregiver work. These are mainly Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

Do you know what documents you need for working abroad and what you should not forget before leaving?

Documents Required for Work in the EU/Abroad:

  • Ensure you have a valid ID card or passport
    • You can travel to all European Union countries and also to Switzerland with just an ID card
  • Ensure that you have a valid European Health Insurance Card/ insurance card
    • The European card will provide you with necessary treatment either in a hospital or outpatient setting in case of an acute condition such as an injury or illness
    • If you are interested in receiving treatments like dental care in the country where you will be working, arrange for additional commercial health insurance before traveling
  • Check the validity of your driver's license and find out if it is valid in the country you are traveling to
    • A driver's license issued in the EU is automatically valid throughout the entire union
  • If you are working as a freelancer, ensure that your business license is active
    It is advisable to have your trade license officially translated into the relevant language for reference

    • Before traveling 

    • Visit your doctor for a preventive check-up
      • Before working abroad, it is advisable to undergo a medical examination to ensure your health does not surprise you at an inconvenient time
    • Write a list of items you need to pack
      • Over time, packing will become routine for you, but the first time, one tends to think of many things before the journey, and it is easy to forget something at home
    • Take with you any medications you regularly use
      • Some medications are not available abroad and are replaced with products containing similar active ingredients, so if you are taking any medications, it is safest to pack them with you
    • If you are a beginner in a foreign language, do not forget to pack a dictionary
      • There are also online dictionaries, but in case you find yourself without internet access, we recommend obtaining an offline version as well

    Transportation

    If you are planning to work through an employment agency, you usually have several options for getting to the workplace. However, some agencies have contractual terms requiring you to use the services of their affiliated transport. Check this information with your agency before traveling.

    What transportation options are available?

    • Ask plenty of questions and observe the household routine
      • Often, upon arrival at the family, there is also a caregiver whom you are replacing, or a household member if the family does not yet have a caregiver. They will explain everything to you. Do not hesitate to ask questions and observe how the family usually operates
    • Do not rush things
      • Sometimes it takes a while for the elderly person to get used to a new caregiver, give them time to bond
    • Stay stress-free
      • The most important thing is to maintain mental well-being and a positive attitude towards work

    We hope this summary has made it easier for you to decide whether to start a new job. Fear of the unknown is natural, and we can only overcome it by facing it head-on. Working abroad offers the opportunity to learn a language, get to know the country, its people, and their customs, thereby contributing to your personal and professional development. In the next edition, we will focus on diagnoses that most commonly affect the elderly. We look forward to your suggestions for new topics and feedback on the current ones.