Moving to Chile-- Step One: Pick a date

So obviously the first thing I needed to look at when deciding to move to Chile was when I would make it happen.  Originally, I was all excited and eager and knew that I would be graduating August 12, and figured, "Why not go in August?"-- well because that's a stupid idea, that's why!

Moving to another country, like most things, doesn't seem like it would be as hard to plan as it actually turns out to be.  My early, vague, and unorganized thoughts about planning this adventure originally seemed like it wouldn't take long-- "Yeah, I'll just get a job and catch a plane"...

WRONG.
That is definitely not how you move across the world like a responsible adult.

First off, I kind of gave it a test run by applying for jobs in person, and let me tell you, Chilean schools will not commit to giving you a job one and a half/two semesters in advance.
So, there's that.. I came home jobless and despondent, although some of that despondence probably came from leaving my boyfriend behind there. again.
 So then it was back to the drawing board.  Not only did I realize I wouldn't have a job lined up in August because of the different school schedule (If you go to any other country, there is a very great chance that their semester starts at a different time than those in the U.S., especially if it's on the opposite side of the equator with opposite seasons!) and my conflicting graduation, but I knew even if I moved and was jobless, I would still need to have enough money to live on for... roughly 7 months before I would even get a real teaching job.  Not to mention that, but for Chile, a foreigner without a work or resident visa must leave the country every 90 days, so then there's all that.

Obviously, I needed more time to make money to save, and why not spend more time with friends and family before my big move??

Another huge factor-- my best friend's wedding. Now, obviously I can't miss it.  And seeing how it's on November 3rd, it would be a ginormous pain/expense to fly back for it, then fly back to Chile.  So that's the main way I arrived at my decision to leave in November.

Also factoring into the decision to leave in early November was the fact that airfare to Chile in December is a ridiculous price thanks to how awesome Chile supposedly is in December (as of now, I have not been to Chile during the peak of their summer).

The final, and very large although perhaps not the largest, factor in moving to Chile in early November was the start date of a TEFL in-person course (140 hours with teaching practice and job placement-- to be mentioned later) that I intend to take about two weeks after my arrival.

Of course, everyone going anywhere will have different things to consider.. I suppose my main point is that it requires more thinking and planning than you first imagine, so get yourself a notebook and a bottle of wine and start brainstorming as soon as the idea of moving strikes you!