In the Philippines, it's a very common life goal to be able to leave for "greener pastures." Sad as it may be, the country's economy and status simply does not provide individuals with the highest standard - be it in education or employment. Don't get me wrong, I love this country (as evidenced by my travel posts) and Cebu will forever be home to me. But I do understand why people leave. Come February, this blog will be based elsewhere (stay tuned for that) as I pursue education in a different country. So I thought I'd do a "Leaving the Country" series to help others prepare as well. I was fortunate enough to have a year to get ready but for others, the opportunity could be more abrupt. When you're leaving the country for a long duration, it's natural to panic and think about the things you have to get done. So here are a few tips: