Living Abroad: What to Expect and Navigating a New City
Living abroad is an exhilarating adventure that offers the opportunity to experience new cultures, meet diverse people, and see the world from a different perspective. However, this excitement can be accompanied by challenges, including adapting to a new city and its unique way of life. Whether you’re with a partner or on your own, you might feel alone. Family and friends are far away, and you can only connect through messages or video calls.
There’s also a lot to figure out: How do I get around? Where do I go for essentials? In this blog post, we'll discuss what to expect when you move abroad and provide tips on how to navigate your new environment effectively.
Living abroad is a unique and rewarding experience that comes with its share of challenges. By understanding what to expect and taking proactive steps to navigate your new city, you can make the most of this exciting journey.
Embrace the adventure, stay open to new experiences, and remember that adapting to a new environment takes time. With patience and perseverance, you'll soon find yourself feeling at home in your new city.
Building a Support Network
Homesickness is real and often misunderstood. When you need help back home, family and friends are easily accessible. Abroad, you’re on your own, solving problems and navigating everything independently. Building a support network in your new city can help alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation. You meet diverse people, both locals and fellow foreigners, and learn from them.
Connect with fellow expatriates, join clubs or organizations related to your interests, and attend social events to meet new people. Online forums and social media groups can also be great resources for finding support and making connections with others who are experiencing similar transitions. You’re actually never truly alone, so take advantage of the people around you.
Finding Your Way Around the City
Getting to know your new city is crucial for establishing a sense of familiarity and comfort. Research is key—find out which apps you need for transportation, food delivery, banking, translation, and online shopping. For instance, in South Africa, we use Uber; in China, it’s Didi; in Vietnam, Grab is popular.
Keep these apps organized on your phone for easy access. Save the locations of nearby hospitals and police stations on Google or Apple Maps. Don't hesitate to ask locals for directions too.
Online communities are also invaluable. Joining local groups or attending events can also provide valuable insights into the best places to visit and things to do in your new city.
Communication
Communication can be challenging if the place doesn’t speak your native language. This forced me to be patient and understanding. It can be frustrating when your food order is wrong (as it does happen), but it's important to remember that English (for example) might not be their first language. They’re trying their best to communicate with you, which takes effort and confidence. Learning a new language is tough, requiring time, motivation, and commitment. Appreciate their efforts.
Use translation apps, be patient, and put yourself in their shoes. Alternatively, learn some phrases yourself! It’s convenient to know the common phrases and questions such as “how are you?”. You become more approachable that way. Locals love it when you try their language!
Cultural Differences and Adaptation
One of the first things you'll notice when living abroad is the cultural differences. Every part of the world is unique. Even within your own country, different regions can have varied accents, social classes, religions, and moral values. Now, imagine this on a global scale. Each country has its own cultural outlooks and ways of life. As you immerse yourself in a new culture, you naturally start following some of their customs—not out of fear of missing out, but out of respect and adaptation. For instance, in Vietnam, it's customary to take your shoes off when entering someone’s home, and I found myself adopting this practice in my own home!
There’s a lot you can learn about a new culture and the one thing you can do is listen when they share it, respect it even if you don’t agree with their customs. You are not forced to agree to all of it, but in situations where you have to, like covering yourself in religious spots, then abide by their rules. It's essential to approach these differences with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Embrace the local culture by trying new foods, participating in local traditions, and making an effort to learn the language. This will not only help you integrate into your new community but also make your experience more enriching.
