Moving to a new, foreign country is a daunting task which many expats find very overwhelming. At Asia Expat Guides, we understand your concerns and your specific needs as an expat. We routinely share articles and expat tips about moving to Asia at http://asiaexpatguides.com/expat-tips/.
In this particular slide, we compile the 10 tips on moving to a new country and being happy there.
Asia Expat Guides: 10 tips on Moving to a New Country and Being Happy There
1. 10 Tips on Moving to a New Country
and Being Happy There
A Guide for New Expats
By: Asia Expat Guides
2. - no matter where you live. It could be your
pillow, family photo album, favorite
mug, handmade sweater from your mum, or
your alarm clock. Basically anything that
could remind you of home.
3. Before moving to your new country, always
look for more information, you can do this
via various channels, be it googling
online, talking in forums or talking to people
who have been there. It is important to note
down and find out at least the first few
things you can do, and the places you must
know upon arrival.
4. If you already speak the language, join a community
club, an existing expats club or any clubs that allows
you to make new friends and keep you busy.
Language classes are most helpful because you'll not
only develop ever-so-important linguistic skills, you'll
also have a chance to meet other new arrivals —
people who are probably just as desperate for
company as you are.
5. Buying from a local store instead of an
international one will save you tons of
money and make you feel so much more at
home. Products are usually much cheaper in
stores for locals compared to those for
foreigners.
6. It might cost a bit extra but you will find a
better place to live and save yourself a
significant amount of unnecessary stress
living in a bad neighborhood or somewhere
far away from your work place.
7. A mobile phone is essential, you can call anyone in
times of need especially in your new country where
you don’t know if anything unforeseen problems
might happen. Plus the sooner you have a local
number, the easier it is for you to make new
friends. With the technology today, you can
download tons of free apps that allow you to call or
video call home using the internet. E.g.
(Skype, Facetime, Tango, Viber, Line)
8. Take a stroll, find out where are the
restaurants and bars around your area. Don’t
be afraid to get lost, you can always take a
taxi home or ask for directions. This is the
best way to learn any new place, foreign or
not.
9. This will force you to get with the
program, get in the right time zone, and get
a life. It could be anything, to sign up for a
new class, to find the mall to watch a
movie, buy some utensils for your new
apartment, anything, just make sure you get
it done on the third day because sooner
than three days is too soon and later than
three days is too late.
10. It is only natural to miss home, family and
friends, so don’ be too harsh on yourself and
allow some personal time to feel homesick and
miss your friends. Try to embrace this feeling
instead of fighting it, when you feel
homesick, recognize that the feeling connects
you to the place in which you were born or grew
up and to the people you love still living there.
You can always make a call home to talk to
friends and family as much as you like.
11. The first few months in any new place, especially a foreign
place, is going to be stressful. The fact is that most people
live and die very close to the place they are born. You are
experiencing something wonderful and unique — no matter
how much it makes you want to cry, scream, or rip your hair
out. You’re already here so just be grateful that you have the
opportunity to see the world and experience a different
culture, something millions would die for. Always bear in mind
to be friendly and polite towards new people and culture and
you will have no problems fitting in and making tons of
friends.
12. While it is definitely imperative to ensure that you are well
prepared and equipped with the necessary information and tasks
when moving to your host country, settling these issues are very
time-consuming and difficult. Especially for a newcomer, you will
be faced with the language barrier and other problems that might
deter you from having a good time or looking for the best services
which are safe, credible and reliable.
At Asia Expat Guides, we provide all the necessary services for
expats to move to their host countries comfortably. From airport
pick-up services to introduction to local food and places of
interest, we ensure that you will be pampered throughout your
stay with our experiences, knowledge and expertise.
So worry no longer about the problems of moving overseas, we
will handle everything for you!
13. For more information about
being an expat in Asia, visit
http://asiaexpatguides.com