Moving Far Away for Internship: Helpful Takeaways and Lessons Learned

As November approaches some of us may be preparing for family get togethers, thinking about Christmas décor, or enjoying the change of the season. For many psychology graduate students, November’s hasty approach signifies application deadlines and match day anxieties. No matter where you are in the process, internship is an exciting time where students begin to step more fully into their careers. I had focused my internship applications on training sites that were most appealing to me. It wasn’t until I got matched that I realized the immense journey it would be to move cross-country from California to Florida. Some of my colleagues shared the stress of big moves, and we learned a lot from each other. These are some of the tips, tricks, and lessons learned from these experiences.

Preparing for the Move: Sell, Sell, Sell 

Sell or give away as many of your material possessions as possible. Begin this procedure as soon as possible, we often forget how much stuff we really have. I had planned a schedule on what to sell and when, with goal sell-by dates to stay on top of advertising and cost-reduction per item. I found this helped with decision fatigue and overall anxiety. It also helped me identify what pieces were most important to me. I and my colleagues used the app OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace to sell our items, finding the best results with OfferUp.

It was helpful to recognize that everything you take will cost money due to shipping costs, especially if you’re moving coast to coast. Consider the following questions when assessing your items:

• What will this item provide me?
• Would it be more cost effective to buy the item later?
• Will this item be important for my training and professional goals?
• How much joy will this item provide me? 
• How is keeping or getting rid of this item aligned with my values and goals?

I saw this as an opportunity to reset, live more minimally, and release myself from the burdens of material possessions. It may feel terrible to let go of so many things all at once. But, recognize that pain, and sit with it, it will help you make more intentional decisions in what you buy moving forward. Lastly, considering where you move, it may be less expensive to buy all new furniture at your new location (especially if you intend to live minimally). If   you find yourself alone, in a new place, and need help with moving your new furniture, the on-demand movers company, Lugg, has been an incredible resource. They are a fast, friendly, and affordable option.

Your Car and Things: To Ship or Not to Ship

A consideration I often forgot is what I would do with my car. I had originally planned to drive cross country, but was told the West-Coast-East-Coast drive gets old quickly. Two of my friends had shipped their cars with glowing appreciation, and I found the experience to be phenomenally simple, easy, and surprisingly cost effective. The cost of shipping your car will depend on the supply and demand of the market, so get several quotes if you can. Each company is different, so be mindful of reviews. A colleague of mine had to ship her and her husband’s car on two different occasions. She had a poor experience with one company and glowing reviews with the other. She recommends Sherpa Auto Transport, as she found them extremely professional and communicative. I used ShipaCarDirect.com after a colleague suggested it. I found them incredibly reliable, fast, and affordable.

Additionally, we all were able to pack our cars with as much stuff as we could, leaving room in the driver’s seat and keeping the back window free from obstruction. However, make sure you check with the agency’s policy first on packing the car, as each agency may operate differently. I planned to pack my heaviest, most cumbersome items in my car, such as books, my printer, my coffee maker, etc. There was still plenty of space left in my 4-door sedan after these items were loaded. It’s surprising how much can fit into a car, so don’t forget about that resource if you have it! I also used my flight to Florida to transport my goods. I brought the rest of my clothes, my essentials, and my most meaningful items in two suitcases, a carry on, and a backpack. Additionally, my colleague, who was also moving cost-to-coast, found that adding an additional suitcase to her flight was more cost-effective than shipping the items through FedEx or USPS. So, if you find yourself needing more space, add the suitcase!

If the car transport isn’t an option or you have more items than would fit, shipping boxes and containers are another helpful option to consider. With this option, the company will deliver a big container to your place of residence, you load it up with the items you want to ship, and the company collects the container and delivers it where you want. I have heard positive reviews on U-Box by U-Haul. If you choose to use U-Haul’s U-Box, they have storage options as well, which is very helpful when you’re not exactly sure where you’ll land. Professional movers are also an option, and likely the most stress-free and expensive. Consider the options and resources you have available to make the best decision for your circumstances. 

Finding Your New Home: Book One-way

If you’ve never been to the city, let alone the state you’re now moving to, the experience can seem overwhelmingly daunting. When you don’t have a frame of reference for the different neighborhoods, their culture, and what they offer, it can feel scary to try to decipher where you’re going to root yourself. Overwhelmingly, myself and my fellow big-move colleagues came to this conclusion: If you can, book temporary housing (e.g., air B&B, Extended Stay, etc.) in the area for 2 weeks to a month to explore the city and identify the neighborhood and housing arrangement that best suits your needs. This will give you the flexibility and security of choice. Additionally, if you used U-Box to ship your things, you can take advantage of their storage options as well.

Alternatively, two of my colleagues and myself each took a week-long trip to our internship area to secure a home. We were all disoriented with the number of apartments we looked at and felt pressured to decide on an apartment. In the end, we were all satisfied with our choices, as life is what you make it, but we wish we had the flexibility to explore the area and see what other options we had. For example, due to time constraints, I could only explore one area of one city. I had the chance to explore different neighborhoods but was so busy traveling to back-to-back viewings it was challenging to stay present and really understand each option. Additionally, many of the apartment complexes are only open Monday-Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and require appointments. It was extremely helpful to keep an excel sheet of which apartments I planned to see, when they were open, pros and cons, price, and other factors of importance. Organization was key in curating my options, but in the end, go with your gut on what home will best suit you.

The Important Stuff –

While internship is only a year, that year can be a painfully long time away from loved ones and valued spaces. Moving to a new state or a new place often means losing a big part of your support system and self-care practices. You’re a stranger in a strange land, the air is wet and there are lizards instead of squirrels everywhere. At least this was the case for me. 

Before the big move, it is essential to schedule intentional time to spend with loved ones and valued activities. These memories will carry you through the challenging times and ground you in who you are when everything seems foreign. We experience the world through relationships, and those relationships continue to be with you and support you no matter the distance or time. In the weeks leading up to my move, I scheduled a lot of hang outs with friends and family. We didn’t have a big celebration or long goodbye, just business as usual. However, I entered each experience with the understanding and intention of appreciating every moment and being as present as I could. As a result, those memories exist so vibrantly in my memory, I’m filled with warmth and joy every time I call upon them. When I’m homesick, I remember these moments and the people close to me, the memories we made, and the plans we intend to fulfill. It encompasses a valued past and a hopeful future, which allows me to embrace the present with gratitude and strength. Above all, this has been the most helpful in making this experience meaningful.

In Conclusion…

Moving anywhere is an enormous effort, preparing for an internship and managing academic responsibilities makes the move even harder. However, it can also be an adventure, one that paves the way for incredible growth and self-discovery. With careful planning, intention, and a few leaps of faith, it can be more manageable than expected. Regardless, congratulations on your internship, I hope you enjoy the ride!