Culture shock is real
Moving to an unfamiliar environment comes with its consequences. There is a temporary stage where adapting to a new place will come with a rollercoaster of emotions. It is normal to feel out of sync with the world around you. It is normal to feel like you are living in a place where you do not know the rules yet; that, is culture shock. The good news? It gets better. With time, you will learn the rules of the game. With the right exposure, things will naturally come together, until one day, you wake up and what once was weird or a difficult thing to accomplish, becomes your new normal.
What once were simple tasks, become challenges
Do you need to get groceries? Go to the doctor? Take the bus? Pay bills? Good luck. Living in a different system, with a different language and expectations, makes everyday tasks feel more complicated. These tasks, that were once basic activities, become complex, but that is okay. We love a challenge. Little by little, these small challenges will make you more resilient. When things do not go your way, it can get frustrating, but keep in mind that every time you figure things out on your own, you become more resilient and confident. Eventually, what once felt impossible becomes routine, and you realize you are not surviving, but thriving.
Friendships take time
I had this false expectation that when I came abroad, I would make best friends in no time. Unfortunately, that was not the case. That is not to say it will not happen to you, but in most cases, building strong friendships does not happen overnight. Do not stress if it takes months, you will find your people slowly. Join societies, attend the events on campus, and do not be scared to talk to people, a casual conversation can turn into a meaningful friendship. Over time, and with patience, you will build friendships that will last you a lifetime, and once you found your people, they become like your family away from home.
And one day you will look back and realize how much you have grown, and “home” will never mean just one place again...
You’ll feel lonely sometimes, and that is okay
Loneliness is part of the journey, it does not mean you made the wrong decision. It just means that you are human, and it is okay to miss your friends, family, or your routine back home. Loneliness is part of adjusting, and it comes and goes in waves. You will learn to appreciate the loneliness sometimes, as it allows you to learn how to be your own best friend. It will teach you to enjoy your own company and follow a path of self-discovery where you will find comfort in those solo moments.
The concept of home becomes a complicated theme
With time, that foreign place you bravely moved to will become your home, but that does not mean you do not have another home awaiting you many kilometres away. When you are in one, you miss the other, and vice versa. At that point, “home” stops being a single place. When saying the phrase “back home”, you could mean either one. Home becomes less about geography and more about a sense of belonging. The beautiful thing is, you do not have to choose one over the other, but embrace the version of yourself that exists in each one.
You will discover new traditions and ways of living
Moving abroad is something that will forever leave a mark on you. You will slowly begin to pick up new habits and traditions without noticing. A meal that you once found strange could become a comfort food, or you will start to celebrate holidays that you did not even know existed. This new way of living does not replace the one you had before, but it adds and blends to your sense of identity, leaving a mark.
These are six things I wish I knew before moving abroad. But then again, moving abroad is all about the unknown. It can be scary, but with time and patience, everything comes together. You will not be the same person who arrived, but that is the beautiful part. Every day abroad, you learn something new about yourself and your surroundings. Yes, there will be challenges, but that is what makes moving abroad an unforgettable experience. And one day you will look back and realize how much you have grown, and “home” will never mean just one place again.
Such a beatiful article! Love to see how she adapts to her new life without any fear nor anxiety. A role model and beatiful writting!
Would love to see more of your content!