To be happy living in a foreign country, you have to take it on its own terms. Don’t expect it to be like home. Instead, seek out and enjoy the things that make that country special. —Patricia, New York Times
Living in a foreign country excites the imagination, ignites the adventurous spirit, and inspires you to explore.It can also scare the pants off you. Learning to live in another country is more than simply learning how to get to the office, making yourself understood in the local language, and eating different food. You must learn how to do many new things while also learning how to redo many things that have become second nature.
It involves a subtle but important change in your expectations of yourself and others. More importantly, you have to cope with the loss of identity and familiarity and get along without some of the personal perks in your life that provide encouragement, direction, and meaning. We’ve done it, and so can you. Focusing on the personal component of the journey, this chapter takes you from arrival through the first year of settling in.
We’ll prepare you to cope with the inevitable culture shock and explain how best to tap into the local communities to make life a little easier. Your new experiences will be a constant source of stimulation, so we encourage you to revel in them but to be alert because you are in a foreign environment. We’ll address the important issue of how best to stay safe while overseas, especially when traveling.
Once you’ve eased into your new lifestyle, you’ll probably want to start dating and traveling for pleasure. If so, we’ve got some smart tips on how to travel, where to shop for what items in various markets around the world, and how to make the most of dating far from home.