So, you're moving to a NEW COUNTRY!


Now is the time to start preparing ... by reading up on your country and discovering what it will be like to LIVE there.

This website will provide links to resources which will help you in your research and preparations.  There are tips on what WORDS with which to search effectively too.  You will find enough here to get you started, but not finished.  There are MANY more resources than these.  However, the principles for searching, which are listed here, will help with finding it all.

Before you start looking for information on your country think about the kinds of information you want to obtain.  Make a list of them.  That list might include:  food, transportation, schools, weather, language, social life, customs, money, medical facilities, passports, or visas.

One very important word for you to keep in mind is "expatriate".  
(Click to find out what it means.)

 


PLACES TO FIND INFORMATION

Below are links to great places to find information on your country or about living there.  Some of these sources are books in the library, some are websites on the Internet, some are databases in which you can search for articles and other resources.  Check them ALL out!

  • Alexandria (the NCHS Library Catalog).  Look up your country's name, do a Boolean search which will include "cookery" or an ethnic group.  Also look for one of the following titles.  Those in RED are REALLY USEFUL books.

  • Vertical Files.  NCHS has an extensive collection of "country" files.  These materials are obtained from embassies and consulates around the world.  Also included are Culturegrams and Background Notes which provide a rich source of cultural information.  Backup copies of many documents are at the Circulation Desk should they be missing from the files.
  • Websites.  The following websites will give you direct access to online resources designed for people who are moving to or already living in another country.  They will provide you with invaluable information and links to additional websites which further your options.
  • Background Notes.  <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/> Just like the paper copies in our Vertical Files, except these are more up-to-date.  Published by the U.S. State Department.

  • Culturegrams.  <http://onlineedition.culturegrams.com> The online version of our Vertical Files documents is interactive, includes music, recipes, and lots more.  You can use it from home too.

  • Currency Converters.  Two popular programs to help you learn the value of U.S. dollars in other countries.

http://www.xe.com/ucc/     OR     http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic

  • Destination Guides.  Listed by two major search engines, these lists of links will give you plenty of factual information about every country in the world.
Google.       OR        Yahoo.

  • Databases. NCHS subscribes to several online databases which give you access to millions of full-text magazine and newspaper articles, reference books, essays, and pictures.  Visit the one listed here (it's our biggest and is also International in content), or go to our Research Links page and see them all!

You are on your way!  

If you have problems, contact the LRC staff or your teacher.  
We are here to help you!

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