New country, who dis?
Updated: Oct 17, 2021
Moving away from home can be a challenging process. Leaving everything you know and jumping into a new country and culture can be scary, exciting, and nerve-racking. But there are ways to make that transition smoother.
Build a community
Whether you know someone (or multiple people) in your new city or not, it's important to build new connections. In order to do so, try joining a club. Whether it be a club connected to your university or something completely unrelated. A cooking class, a dance studio, an art club - all of these are good options to start building a community of people who are interested in whatever you're interested in. As we get older it somehow becomes more difficult to make new friends, and a sure-fire way to do so is to show up somewhere consistently. If joining a club does not sound like your cup of tea, go for a cup of tea. Find a local cafe that you enjoy, and go there often, sit down with a book or some schoolwork, and become a regular. Either another customer will start up a chat, or the person working at that cafe will, and so you'll begin building a new community. This also works with a bookstore, music store, or really anywhere.
Be open to change
Often times when we move to a different country, especially at a young age, we are scared of change and we try to keep to what we know. Let go of this idea. Before your move, or even after your move, come to terms that things will change and so will you. There's a world full of possibilities, full of unknown territories that you can go out and explore. In line with this thought, don't be scared to make mistakes. Undoubtedly, once you move to a different country you will make a mistake whether it be culture- or language-wise. This is all to do with newness, you can't know everything nor are you supposed to. And these mistakes don't have to be grand, it can be as small as using the wrong tense, but don't let it intimidate you from trying again.
Try to be self-sufficient
If you are able, both legally and time-wise, try to get a job. Not only will this help your personal development in several different aspects, but it will also open up the possibilities for new friendships. Furthermore, it will improve your vocabulary if you're still learning the language. It might feel like jumping into the deep-end, but you'll meet new people who will act as your floatation devices. And earning extra cash wouldn't hurt.
Overall, be yourself and be open to new cultures and be open to change, because it will happen. In saying this, don't mistake it for forgetting your roots, rather, think of it as add-ons. An extra side dish at the table which only enhances the flavour of the main dish. Change doesn't have to be scary, change can be wonderful and exciting, and having the right community around you will only propel you onto better things.
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