So you’ve decided to take the plunge. You’ve released yourself from the shackles of every day life, you’ve rejected the comforts of familiarity and you’re ready to dive in head first into your defining adventure. Life for you will now continue half way around the world, in a different timezone, a different culture…Christ, it may as well be a different planet to the one you left behind.
While this is all very exciting, it comes with some trials and tribulations. You’re favorite local dive bar will have to change; who on earth will cut your hair the way you like it? and where the bloody hell can you get a decent cup of tea in this God damned city!? If you’re looking for how to thrive in your new country of choice look no further – this is the survival guide to ex-pat life!
Get lost!
So you’ve touched down, you’ve got your accommodation sorted and most of your clothes are now tidied away – its time to explore! Grab your phone, your ID and your wallet, you don’t need anything else for this first venture into your brave new world.
Pick a direction and start walking. Don’t worry about looking at a map, have no qualms about getting lost, that’s the point of your first trip outside. The idea is to explore your new hood, figure out where the cool-looking bars are, what’s in the strange smelling bodegas, and what bad ass street art is going on. Don’t have a set idea what your destination will be – just wander and enjoy the scenery, so long as you have some money for a cab back to your current abode you’ll be all good, and who knows what you’ll discover on the way.
Embrace the culture
There’s nothing wrong with craving some home comforts every now and then. Personally, every time I leave the UK I stuff as many tea bags and as much Spotted Dick into whatever crevices are still available in my baggage. Familiarity is great, but go out and plunge yourself into the local culture and you’ll feel all the better for it.
Keeping your defenses up and refusing to embrace this new civilization will only leave you feeling isolated and even more homesick. Get out there and eat the food, dance and dances and drink the local liquor, yes it all sounds and tastes weird at first but after a while you’ll be one of the locals and loving it!
Check out the local events
So they have a festival where they strap fireworks to their bodies and run through the streets?! Or they have a day dedicated to racing a wheel of cheese down a hill? Or they parade giant cartoon figures through the city once a year to the sound of trumpets and drums?! There is a reason why these crazy cultures keep with these traditions, ‘cos they’re a God damned blast! They typically involve buckets of booze, a lack of forethought and little to no restraint, which usually equals one of the best nights you will ever have. So take off your shirt, get in those streets and start throwing tomatoes at each other like the locals do!
Don’t panic
The most important piece of advice on this list. There will be times when it all gets to be too much; no one can understand your accent, you’re exhausted, confused and lost in a strange land and all you want to do is go home to your mum so she can tell you “it’ll be ok”. Don’t worry this is normal and the worst thing you can do in this situation is panic.
Take a deep breath, step back and evaluate the situation. If you get your knickers in a twist it will just exacerbate problems. Keep calm, get back to your house and treat yourself to some home comforts while you have a chat to your bezzie on Skype. Suddenly you’ll see that it’s not all that bad that after all.
The most important part of traveling and being part of a new community is having fun. Gaining life perspective, expanding your horizons and finding yourself is important as well, but if you aren’t enjoying it change something up until you do. Keep exploring and who knows what stories you will be bringing back with you.
