Moving to a new country is exciting but it can also cause a lot of anxiety. Initially, it might seem romantic, but once you're there, you're faced with an entirely new culture, and maybe a new language, which can be tough. It's not anything like being on vacation and can definitely take some adjustment whether you're moving from the U.S. to Canada, perhaps trying to get settled into your new home among the Toronto real estate, heading across the Atlantic to a European city, or somewhere else.
While more and more people are making the decision to move to a foreign nation - around 258 million people were living outside of their country of birth in 2017, a big increase from 2000 when there were 173 million, according to an article in The Guardian, it doesn't mean that it's getting any easier. The key is to be prepared, including knowing what to expect once you get there, embracing the change instead of letting it get the best of you.
You'll Probably Feel Homesick
No matter how much you've anticipated the move, homesickness is a normal part of moving to a new country. Being immersed in a new culture can make you feel isolated and longing for familiar things you're used to back home. But don't let it keep you from enjoying the positives of your new place. Dwelling on it will make it even harder to acclimate if all you do is talk to your friends on Facebook instead of going out and meeting new ones. Every once in a while go out for a walk to check out the local bars and eateries - talking with bartenders, waiters and so on is a great way to get insider tips and learn about a new place while preventing loneliness.
Your Problems Won't All Go Away, They'll Just Be Different
Living by the beach is incredible but that doesn't mean you won't have to deal with the usual headaches from paying bills to illnesses and Internet outages. At some point, no matter how great your new place is, the honeymoon phase will end. Being ready for that will help make it easier.
You'll Probably Have to Adjust Your Routine
The majority of out-of-the-country moves come with new routines. Maybe dinner doesn't start until 9 p.m., and you're used to sitting down to the table several hours earlier. Or maybe there's a more laid-back attitude about time - the repair guy was supposed to be there at noon and he casually comes over at 2 p.m. as if it wasn't a big deal. There's no fighting whatever the difference is, you'll be better off adjusting, going with the flow and adapting your schedule to the way people live there.
Plan To Set Goals to Prevent Feeling Overwhelmed
There's a long list of things to do when you move to a foreign country which can be overwhelming. Instead of letting the stress swallow you up, create goals and then take active steps to achieve them, such as becoming fluent in the language and finding new friends. By focusing on those goals you'll naturally feel better about your situation and before you know it, you'll be immersed and happy in your new community.
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