Whether you’re considering becoming an expat for the first time or you have had expat experience before, you want your new life to be as simple as possible. Moving to a new country is a big decision, you should do everything you can to make sure it will work out as smoothly as possible.
And if it doesn’t work out, you can choose to go back or move on. There is always an option. However with a few small tweaks you can turn it in the success that you want it to be.
- Learn the language
- Get to know the locals
- Do your research beforehand!
- Take your time, when you get there
- Immerse yourself and love it.
1. Learn the Language & Embrace the Culture
Life will be different when you move. That is ok, but you need to keep in mind that simple things like finding your favourite food in the local supermarket might not be available were you are going. This sounds trivial but when you are going through a rough patch this little pick me up isn’t there for you.
Although a lot of people speak English now a days, learning the language of the country that you are moving to is a sensible decision. The basic are a must as it makes communication easier. Like reading the labels in the supermarket to find your new favourite food.
Embrace your new culture and way of life – see how the locals live and how their day to day life is. Embrace it and slowly get used to a new way of living.
2. Get To Know The Locals
You might be able to find a few local expat groups which you can join and it can be very helpful as they have gone through a few expat struggles themselves. But… the locals will be able to guide you through distinct problems like having your washing machine repaired. And here comes the phrase “a good neighbour is worth more than a distant friend” in play. Getting along with your neighbours is priceless. So push yourself out of your comfort zone and organise a coffee morning to get to know them.
Facebook might offer local groups that you can join. Or a local hobby page of your liking. Pick up that old hobby or continue your current hobby. You might add value to a local group and in the process make new friends.
3. Research Before You Go
Putting in the extra time to research were you are gong is key. You are not going on a holiday, you are going to life there. So if you have kids, research the schools and the different hobbies/ sports they can do.
The truth is that no matter where you choose to live there is going to be housework that needs doing, bills that need paying and things that go wrong. Make sure you make the decision with the mindset that it isn’t going to be one long holiday but instead the life commitments that you have here will be moving with you.
Taking time to research where you might like to live gives you a better idea of what life might be like there – especially if you seek out some expat online communities and read up on other people’s experiences. Of course, your experience will be unique to you but getting an idea of how other people found settling in and what they did to enjoy life in a new country will be helpful.
4. Take your time when you get to your new destination
After the big decision is taken, make sure that you have an open mind to things being different, feeling different and that it will take time to adjust to this. There is no set time in which you need to start feeling “better” as everyone’s experience is unique. It might take 6 months, sometimes a couple of years. It definitely won’t come overnight.
Get to know the local erea and what you can do to pick up a hobby or sport, engage with the neighbours and the rest will come. Some people even find that it is a month or two into their new life that they start to feel as though things are right – this is okay too! After all, it will be when the initial thrill of living somewhere near has started to wear off that you’ll feel like you might want to go home – don’t fall at the first hurdle and instead give yourself time to settle in.
5. Love the challenge you have embrace
Give yourself permission to fail, to love it, to hate it, to loving it again. Things won’t always be easy and relocating to a new country doesn’t mean that all of your problems go away – but it can mean the start of an amazing new adventure and one that you are allowed to fully enjoy!
Take steps to decorate your home, meet new people, get to know the new area, learn a new language and get to grips with eating a different type of food and that you can start to relish your new life. After all, you have taken the brave step to leave one country and move to another, so why shouldn’t you enjoy every single moment?
Being an expat can be a great experience, but we know that it isn’t always without difficulties. We hope that these tips help you settle into life in your new country and give you the chance to fall in love with a new way of life. Living in a new country is such an amazing experience and one that we hope you get to enjoy to the full.
