How to Adjust to a New Country: 7 Practical Tips for Settling In

A new home in a new community offers people a chance to start afresh. It gives you an opportunity to make exciting new changes in your way of life.

However, moving overseas also comes with changes that could disorient you. Sometimes, experiencing different cultures and traditions can overwhelm you. As culture shock gradually sets in, you’ll start feeling lost and may even regret your decision to relocate.

But don’t be hasty in turning back; this reaction is normal. More importantly, it’s not impossible to overcome. You need to learn these seven practical tips for adjusting to your new home.

1. Create a place that feels like home.

A home is more about the emotions you experience in a particular place. So, once you’ve unpacked that last moving box, make sure your new space feels like a real home by adding things that make you feel comforted.

You can decorate the place with things that remind you of your old place, like a picture frame with photos of your family and friends or trinkets and other items related to a hobby. These will help you remember the life you had and, at the same time, make you feel secure as you settle in.

If you weren’t able to bring anything with you to your new place, adding things like blankets, candles, and even plants to the place should do the trick. These are relatively inexpensive things that provide much-needed warmth and comfort to your new space.

It is also a good idea to focus on a specific room, especially if your budget doesn’t cover full-house décor. Pick one you spend most of your time in. Aside from your bedroom, this could be:

• The kitchen. If you’re fond of cooking or baking, buy some nice plates, glasses, and cookware to help you feel good while doing your hobby.
• A reading nook. Readers spend plenty of time on the couch. If you’re the same, try to create a cosy space you can curl up in while reading your favourite book.

2. Open your mind to new things.

Settling abroad is also about learning to be open to new things. After all, there are sure to be significant differences between the country you are coming from and the one you are moving to.

You wouldn’t have gone ahead with the relocation if you didn’t have an open mind in the first place. However, you need to maintain this outlook as you begin your journey in a foreign land.

Set your expectations straight. Since you’re in a different country, things will probably be done quite differently from what you’re used to. People will have varying perspectives, and even the laws and customs may not be what you were accustomed to.

Whether your new life is better, worse, or just different from what’s familiar, you should be open to accepting these changes as your new reality. Try not to overthink things. Glorifying improvements too much or being overly critical could leave you feeling frustrated later.

3. Learn the language.

One great way to adjust to living in a new country is to experience its culture firsthand. Specifically, if you moved to a place where a different language is spoken, it’s best to learn this language and practise speaking it as often as you can. If you're still a beginner, utilizing online resources like the Intrepid Guide is a big help.

Even if you find an expat community to join or an English-speaking group you can hang out with, making a conscious effort to get out of your comfort zone is critical in adjusting to your new life. Learning the language will help you connect with the locals, understand the culture, and ultimately make your life in the new country a lot easier.

4. Tour your new homeland.

One of the greatest fears people face after moving to a new country is experiencing loneliness. However, you mustn’t give in to this feeling if you want to adjust to your new home faster.

Instead, consider touring the place on your own. Try doing touristy things, like sightseeing around local attractions or simply strolling through the nearby streets.

Immersing yourself in the physical place will help you learn what’s so special about your new home and appreciate it better, no matter how different it might be from the old one.

5. Adapt your routines.

If you’ve visited your new country before moving there, you probably noticed that some things are done differently there. Adapt your routines to fit the culture instead of resisting the change once you move in.

Whether it’s having dinner at 10 p.m., going out for daily brunches, or even taking afternoon naps, you should embrace these new habits as your new normal. The faster you get used to them, the easier you can adapt your schedule to flow like everyone else’s in your new home.

6. Go out and make new friends.

You may not like it, but meeting new people is important after you move overseas. Regardless of the country, having a social life and people who care enough to support you during duress is crucial in adjusting and settling in your new home.

Begin with engaging your neighbours in some small talk. Initiate friendly conversations with people in public places, like coffee shops, groceries, or parks. Doing so will help you feel less lonely and hasten the adjustment process.

If you’re not ready to make new friends face-to-face, you can join online communities in the locality. This will eventually lead to physical get-togethers. It is even better if you can find an expat group that could support you as you adjust to your new life.

7. Stay in touch with old buddies.

Just because everything in your life is new right now doesn’t mean you should forget about the people you left behind. Technology will no longer allow that these days.

Sure, the excitement of the move might make it easy for you to forget about your old life. Once you start adjusting to new routines, you may even feel the need to put 100 percent of your attention into it. But do not forget – there are still people who love you from miles away.

Initiate video calls or chat with friends and family from your old country. While you might think they won’t understand your new life, friendships and connections built over time don’t end easily. Don’t give up on them just yet.

At the end of the day, getting settled in a foreign place is all about knowing that there will always be someone you can talk to who will support you when you most need it.

Get Settled

Adjusting to a foreign country may not always be easy, but it is definitely doable. Consider following the practical tips listed here to settle into your new home faster.