Moving to a new country is as scary as it is exciting. It’s so much more complicated than just packing up your stuff and heading to the airport. As the departure date moves closer, you will begin to feel the panic setting in. But before it get’s the best of you, take a deep breath, calm down and get on top of things. Here are a few steps that will help you
Getting your housing in place
When you move to a new country, you can’t afford to stay homeless for too long. Local hostels, hotels or friendly couches are good temporary options, but the sooner you find a permanent abode, the easier it will be for your pockets. To find a house on your own, you can contact a real estate agent and keep checking classified websites and newspapers. Airbnb offers apartments on monthly basis, but they are mostly expensive. In most countries, getting a new place involves paying a deposit and other brokerage charges. Make sure you have enough savings to pay these dues. Also, read about the rules and regulations regarding housing in the country you’re moving to.
Get Social
Once you have a nice, cozy apartment; it’s time to make friends. Loneliness is one of the biggest evils of moving to a new country. Making friends in a new city takes a whole new approach. If you’re working, your first friends will be your coworkers. To expand your social circle, use your social network apps to search for friends, old school friends and long lost contacts that live in the same city. You will be surprised how small the worked really is. Join an activity club like cooking, photography, etc.
Don’t Forget your Roots
Getting your house in place and making new friends is much easier than staying close to your loved ones back home. Although distance makes the heart grow fonder; it does take a lot of work. Lucky for us, staying disconnected in today’s world is almost impossible. Tools like Skype, social networking apps and messaging apps come in handy, when you’re away from home. Be patient with your loved ones back home and don’t shy away from letting them know how much you miss them.
Getting to know your way around
Now you need to figure out how to live in the new country. Getting to understand the public transport system is crucial, if you want to know the city inside out. Familiarize yourself with all the bus and subway routes, but try to know the essential ones. Also, since now you’re under a new jurisdiction, get acquainted with all the essential laws and the rules of the land.
When in Rome…
Don’t be a foreigner too long. Immerse yourself in the local culture. This will help you understand the place and its people better. Read about local customs and meet locals to get the real feel of the place. Eat the local cuisine and never refuse to accept a food or gift that you may find disgusting.
Moving to a new country is always a mind opening experience. You meet new people; have new experiences; and most of all get a new place to call home. Just keep in mind a few things and you should be on your way to a whole new experience.
