I’ve lived overseas for more than eight years now. In that time, I’ve seen dozens of people transition smoothly and successfully to a new life abroad. But I’ve also witnessed a few disasters.

Here are the top seven items I think are most critical when it comes to an easy move overseas:

1. Plan a discovery trip. You’d be surprised how many people try to plan 100% of their transition by e-mail, before even stepping foot in the country. Upfront correspondence is great…but an in-depth discovery trip is indispensable. Go, find your home, and try to get a handle on everything you’ll need to do for the first three months. Make a comprehensive list of what you can’t buy in your new country (local expats are a good source for this information), and find out how to work around it.

2. Connect with local expats. No one has more expertise on how to overcome the hurdles in your new home than someone who’s already done it. Find out where the local expats gather and don’t be afraid to ask them to share their experiences. You’ll learn everything from where to buy hard-to-find items to how to get a driver’s license.

And you should make an effort to establish contact ahead of time, by checking local websites, blogs, or discussion boards. It will really help to have one or two “acquaintances” before you hit the ground. But don’t overdo it. I’ve seen people wear out their welcome before they even get there by bombarding the locals with endless e-mails. What’s important here is to establish a connection.

3. Study the culture. When I first moved abroad, I committed endless faux pas and insults by not knowing the norms of the culture. A few mistakes are inevitable; but you can prevent most of them with some research. The best single source I’ve found is the Culture Shock! series, which offers super cultural guides for many countries. If they don’t publish a guide for your country, Lonely Planet guides normally have a good cultural section as well.

4. When you get there, enjoy some in-country travel. It’s easy to get hung up on the practical items, and forget that your move abroad is a grand, new adventure. So be sure to make time to explore all of what your new country has to offer. Now that you’ve got the time to really immerse yourself, you may find that this is the most rewarding part of your move abroad.

5. Start with the proper visa. I’ve seen two common mistakes. One is to shortcut the visa process by getting a type that’s easy to obtain instead of what you really need. This causes an ongoing headache. The other mistake is to over complicate the process by getting a residency visa when a tourist visa will do. In Brazil, for example, a tourist can stay almost six months per year, which is perfect for most second-home owners. In any case, do all the prep work you can prior to moving abroad. And be sure to get professional help if you don’t have time to manage the visa process, don’t understand the rules, or have difficulty with the language.

6. Get to know the language. Learning the language will probably be the single most important factor in the enjoyment of your life abroad. Without some familiarity with the local language, your life will be limited to a confining circle of English speakers, and you’ll miss most of what your adopted country has to offer. I recommend finding a good language school near your overseas home. You will not only learn the language, but will also experience one of the best networking opportunities possible, as you’ll meet both fellow expats and English-speaking locals.

7. Look ahead, not back. Some expats can’t help but make a like-for-like comparison with everything they had back home. I hear statements like, “The hamburgers were thicker in Chicago…”, “The roads were faster in California…”, “I can’t live without Peter Pan peanut butter…”, “Don’t they have Walmart here?” In my experience, this mindset provides a virtual guarantee that you’ll be unhappy.

Instead, look ahead…to all of the new adventures and experiences you’re enjoying in your adopted home. Find out how the locals do things…where they buy, and what they use in place of what you’re accustomed to. Immerse yourself in your new way of life. Appreciate the past, but make the most of the here and now.

In the end, you’ll find that the formula for an easy transition abroad consists of 50% preparation and 50% attitude.

Editor’s Note: Read more Expat Advice articles here.