Monthly Wrap: 7 quick tips for settling in when you move overseas

It’s easy to think that the hard work of moving overseas ends when you set your suitcase down in your new home. However, the move itself is just the start of your life abroad. Once the dust starts to settle, or even before, you could find yourself facing a bout of homesickness as the daily reality of living somewhere new starts to sink in.
 
Any new life experience comes with growing pains and moving overseas is no different. So, rather than let homesickness sour your first few weeks or months abroad, consider these seven easy tips to make the transition smoother and help you settle into your new home.
 
 
Sort out the boring bits ahead of time
 
Although the logistics of the move itself are likely to eat up a lot of your attention ahead of time, it’s important not to forget to plan for what comes after moving day as well. Important life admin such as setting up a local bank account, insurance and healthcare shouldn’t be left until you arrive. You don’t want to spend your first few days in your new home doing tedious paperwork so make sure to get as much of this sorted before moving day as you can.
 
 
Be open to opportunities to meet new people
 
One of the most important rules for settling into a new home is to say yes to every social opportunity you’re offered, within reason! While it might not be the best idea to agree to an amateur bouldering expedition, going for drinks after work with your new colleagues is a must. Search out social groups and start putting down roots to make yourself feel more connected to your new home.
 
 
Start picking up the language
 
Although there’s little chance of completely mastering a new language ahead of time, make sure to learn at least some of the local lingo before you arrive. It’s a lot harder to feel settled in a new country if you can’t understand those around you or make yourself understood, after all. Even if you’re moving to an English-speaking country research any unique colloquialisms ahead of time so that you don’t get caught out by unfamiliar phrases.
 
 
Keep in touch with friends and family
 
Even as you aim to make new friends it’s important not to forget about those you’ve left behind. Feeling out of touch with your old circle of friends and family members is a quick ticket to homesickness so make sure you keep in regular touch. Even if you have less in common now you don’t have the same shared experiences to gripe about at the end of the week do your best to keep your old support network alive.
 
 
Give yourself time
 
Insomuch as you can, try to time your move overseas so that you have a few days to adjust before you start a new job or send any kids off to their new school. Two new starts on top of each other can easily feel overwhelming so make sure you have a chance to feel more settled before starting that next adventure. Having to deal with getting ready for a first day before the boxes are even unpacked isn’t going to do your stress levels any favours.
 
 
Stay busy
 
While escaping your old routine may be one of the reasons you chose to move overseas in the first place there is a lot of value in knowing what you’re doing with your day. Left with too much time to yourself it’s easy to slip into a state of homesickness and start thinking about what you could have been doing if you were still in your old home. Try to stick to a familiar pattern while you adjust to your new daily life and avoid ending up with nothing to occupy yourself.
 
 
Avoid comparisons
 
Comparing your old and new homes is a natural reflex but it’s also one you have to shake off as soon as possible. Every place has its upsides and downsides so avoid dwelling on all the ways that your old home might seem better in hindsight. For every downside to your new home there is an upside and focusing on the positive will make it a lot easier to adjust and feel settled.
 
 
Homesickness is a perfectly natural part of adjusting after your move overseas but there are also plenty of ways for you to limit those feelings. Even when you’re finding it hard to settle into your new life keep trying and soon you’ll be enjoying your time overseas to its fullest!