The Keys to Building a Life in Another Country
Moving is never easy and moving halfway around the world to a totally foreign country is even more difficult. Leaving family, friends, and everything and everyone that you have known your entire life is one of the most difficult things that I have ever done in my life. Living in a foreign country is an exciting adventure most days and makes life very interesting. However, there are a lot of things that you will have to sacrifice if you want to live abroad. In Japan, some of those things include my favorite pizza place in Minneapolis, and fast food favorites like Arby’s, just to name a few. There are some things you can do to make your life in a foreign country more manageable.
Create a Support System for Yourself!
Making friends or building a family is a great way to create a support system for yourself. Unless you are more of a solitary person, we all need people around us who love and support us daily!
Try to Stay Busy:
Another thing that can help you to not only survive but thrive in a new home, is to get new hobbies or find other ways to stay busy. I love to barbecue and I have found a great community of friends that love to barbecue too! Finding new hobbies or activities to keep yourself busy is also a great way to find new friends and build a new community of your own!
Join the Party!
There are lots of great events going on all the time if you look for them. Don’t be shy! When people invite you to a party or an event, take a chance! You just might meet some new friends or find a great place to hang out!
I have lived in Japan for nearly 26 years and I know that I wouldn’t have made it even half as long if I didn’t have awesome friends and family to make living here easier! I have met a lot of great people from all over the world throughout my years in Japan. I know that I wouldn’t have met most of them if I had stayed inside and never went anywhere!
Most of the people who I have met over the years who have left after only a year or less in this country, usually don’t try to make a life for themselves here. When I first came to Japan, I never thought that I would still be here almost 26 years later! However, I have had the best time living in this wonderful country and I wouldn’t trade even one of my memories to go back and change this part of my life! Living in a foreign country definitely is not for everyone! Is it for you? You won’t know until you try!
Cheers! To all of you! And…new beginnings!
