Moving to another country is a large-scale event that requires great endurance and concentration in the truest sense of the word. How to make sure that such a joyful event does not turn into a continuous stress, and life in a new place is as harmoniously organized as possible in a short time. Consider hiring a professional moving company as they know how to move your belongings properly. Before hiring the out of state movers check moving company reviews and ask for a moving Quote. Be prepared to save your money and download and print a moving checklist.
- Prepare for the big changes.
If you are moving to a place that is quite different from your home, you may have a cultural shock that will make your move more difficult, but you will be able to overcome it in a few months after immersing yourself in the environment. People do things differently in different countries, and their ways are alien to us. Yes, this is the greatest and most amazing opportunity you will ever have to understand another culture. When you dedicate yourself to the thinking of the people of another country, you will never go back to the old way: it is much more difficult to imagine the world as “us and them” when you have experienced this experience.
If you are not familiar with the customs of the locals, do some research in advance, and learn as much as possible. It is much better to have a superficial understanding than none at all, it will at least give you the opportunity to be understanding and more involved in cultural events and traditions when you are in a new country. In addition, it will ensure that you do not make mistakes that may offend someone.
- Inconveniences when moving to another country.
Understand that small inconveniences can become bigger problems than you thought. That favorite coffee or favorite cafe can become obvious to you when it disappears from your life. It’s important to acknowledge the sense of loss you feel, but stay open to finding new favorite experiences. The unknown may even surpass the former, and you will learn to love it more than what you loved in your native country.
At the initial stage, it is normal to experience sadness and depression. These feelings will pass as soon as you get used to the new country.
If you move from a country with a large selection of consumer goods to a country with a small selection, life may seem difficult for you. You no longer have a whole range of breakfast cereals (now it’s just a couple of shelves) or a posh selection of cars (you take either the blue or the grey). Initially, this may be very disappointing. You have two options: the first is to accept this and realize that a small choice reduces the time to think and saves the planet’s resources; and the second is to go back to your country and shop (or ask an understanding family and friends to send you what you need). Although for many people the lack of choice does not fade with time (you will notice that you often think about the days when you could get such and such a product of five different types), but you will get used to fewer options!
- Be prepared for the fact that the joy will subside in a few months.
Initially, the first few months will feel like an amazing vacation, and you will spend most of the time discovering something new and feeling excited. However, in time, you will realize that this is now your life and that it is not even half as exciting as you thought it would be. For some, this realization may come earlier, as bureaucracy, household problems, and minor crises interrupt the flow of learning in a new environment.
First, ask about decent merchants. Over time, something is bound to break. In addition, you will need someone reliable, who appears when he promises, and honestly sets the price. If you have not yet found such people through friends, then you may be taken advantage of or set an inflated price. This can be a nightmare, and since you have the ability to plan, rather than wait for the worst to happen, then plan.
Keep calm when going through bureaucratic procedures. Most countries have forms, most have queues, and most have insanely stupid reasons to fill out something and wait for something. You should not ask why, but rather find out through local residents and internet sites how best to understand these issues. There is always a way, be sure to find the best one. If you don’t ask, you’ll never know.
- Be prepared to accept restrictions in your daily routine and ways of doing things.
Another form of cultural shock is when you learn that you can not do what you could in the previous country of residence. There is no need to question anything — admit that this is just the way things are. Let the society in which you find yourself, more or less liberal than the previous one, be sure to adapt to it. If you want to make a fuss or show your position, then you probably shouldn’t move to another country. For such things, it is better to stay at home!
- Get support.
Changing countries is right at the top of the stress scale. Some days will be fun. Some days will be the worst experiences. On other days, you will feel at home, because a new country will become your new home.
Your emotions deserve to be taken care of. If you suffer from increased anxiety, constant fear, depression, and the like, seek help from a therapist. Don’t suffer in silence, the problem will only be made worse by the alienness of everything and everyone around you, and you may end up feeling completely isolated and scared.
Be sure to find close friends, talk openly with your family and friends about your feelings, and listen carefully to your children’s concerns (if you have any).
If you want sessions to be conducted by someone from your previous country of residence, this can be arranged via the Internet. This is the great benefit of the Internet — it allows you to stay close when you need to.
Use social networks like Facebook, Twitter, VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, and email to stay in touch with friends and family who stayed where you moved from. Use Skype to talk face to face, it’s almost like being close! It can be a comforting and beneficial way to keep your feelings in check and get support from people who know you well. From time to time, invite close friends to stay with you.
- Stay safe.
Another problem associated with culture shock is moving somewhere that is not as safe as the previous place of residence. Ask local residents for advice on what to stay away from, and what problems may arise.
Wear appropriate clothing for the area and try to blend in with the crowd. Sometimes a person is not safe because criminals take him for a tourist or because he is improperly dressed.
Call your local police station for security advice. You can also ask about the crime rates in the areas where you are going to buy or rent an apartment.
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