Adapting to another country and its way of life is often not easy. Part of the reason is that there are only a few companies that invest time and money in an accompanying program that supports the seconded employee with practical and personal support - whether in person on site or online.
So what can you do to settle into your new place quickly?
Listed below are a few tips that cover several aspects of life and could help you settle in:
1. Get a job
... huh? What a confusing headline. It's the job you already have that has catapulted you to the other country. Yes, that's true for one part of the partnership or for singles. In addition to all the new things that need to be learned, the existing job is also a crucial factor for stability and settling into the new country and its culture. Be it by communicating at work or by learning new work processes. Or having a conversation with colleagues in the lunch break.
But what about the other part of the partnership that has followed them? This is often simply forgotten. He (or she) is left completely alone with the new situation, often has no contact with the outside world, does not speak the language and therefore finds it much more difficult to settle in. A language course and / or voluntary work can be a big step towards arriving in the new country.
2. Participate in local activities
As banal as it may sound, it is obvious - look for groups that meet regularly and have a common hobby. This can be sports, but also craft activities, intellectual exchange or joint activities. In Germany, there is a long tradition of associations ("Verein" -recognizable by the suffix "e.V.") in which like-minded people meet regularly for a specific purpose. Membership is often much cheaper than a gym or club membership. Also, there are language exchange platforms in Germany, which provide a way to meet your future language exchange partner. The principle is simple, efficient and free of cost - you meet either in person or virtually, you talk and the and the respective other corrects. After a predetermined time, you switch languages and swap roles - now the other part does the correction. In Germany, the keyword for this is "tandem partner".
3. Explore surroundings
Studies have shown that the more often the surroundings are repeated, the more at home the brain feels. This means that you should really take the time to get to know your neighbourhood. So not only get to know the routes to work / school / supermarket, but also the immediate and the farther surroundings. This will help you to develop a sense of familiarity more quickly, as not everything is new every day. In addition, personal contact with people in your own neighbourhood soon makes you feel more comfortable, even if these superficial acquaintances cannot replace friendships that have grown over the years.
4. Make friends and acquaintances in the new country
Speaking of which - with the language comes local acquaintances and perhaps eventually friends. In groups of other expats, you can gain a lot of practical tips for the start, you are in the same situation and the mindset and personal life experiences are often similar. Having such a network makes many things easier at the beginning, you don't have to research everything yourself as others have gone down the path before you. It is the network that catches you in the first phase of uncertainty and it is the network that can often develop into friendships that last for years or even a lifetime.
For many people, it's a bit overwhelming to go to a meeting for the first time where you are the new person. But our best friends today were strangers at one point in the past. Always remember - you are only the new person on the first meeting ;-) If you need guidance in this crucial phase don't hesitate to get into contact with me.
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