Unless you've got thousands of dollars to spend, pack as little as possible.
If you're not moving for more than a couple of years, I recommend leaving all
valuable and sentimental items behind. Many foreigners find that once they get
used to their new surroundings, they would prefer to relocate to a more
familiar or convenient part of town. The less you have, the easier the move and
the more you can accumulate from your subsequent travels.
Have a Plan
Why are you in this country? Knowing why you are there and having an
attainable goal is a great way to make the most out of your ex-patriotism.
Having a timeline is the best way to set realistic expectations. For example,
when I moved to Japan,
I had no idea how long I wanted to stay or what I had hoped to achieve out of
my visit. It wasn't until I had been there for 8 months that I came up with a
game plan. By that time, I was crunched for time to travel and had endured
needless nights on an uncomfortable futon because I couldn't justify buying a
cheap bed if I didn't know when I would leave. Had I set a manageable timeline
for myself, buying things to make my apartment feel more like a home and less
like a dorm room would have created a much more relaxed sojourn. Decisions you
make early on can set the tone for your stay. Plans can always change, but so
much more can be accomplished when you know what to expect.