Now I’m not talking about packing everything other than your house itself, but if you’re planning to stay abroad for an extended period of time, you should consider bringing some of your most essential items with you.
One good way to gauge what you might want to take with you, is to think about items you use on a daily basis. Is it your coffee machine? Is it your bedside lamp? These small familiarities will give your new apartment that personal touch, providing you with a stable base of things you already recognize.
That being said, practicality doesn’t always correlate with importance, and you might find that you want to bring items such as your favorite artwork or beloved coffee table with you. Whatever you treasure, consider taking it along, you might be surprised to find that it’s cheaper than purchasing things anew too!
Photos are another way to make you feel comfortable in your new environment and they don’t take up much space in your luggage.
Over the past few years the camera has, for the most part, been replaced by the smartphone, so you might find that you haven’t printed any of your favorite photos for a good long while. Why not take some time to sort through your camera roll, to find memories that put a smile on your face? This will certainly help to transform your new house or apartment into a warm welcoming home.
Of course, moving abroad is in itself a mammoth task so don’t worry too much about getting all your best photos framed before you leave. That’s the beauty of technology and the internet — you can just get them printed after you arrive!
However, before you pack up and start your life abroad, it might be a nice idea to ask your friends, family, and even colleagues to give you their favorite picture (or pictures) you have together. Once you’ve received enough you can put together a photo album for days when you’re feeling most home sick.
Moving is an enormous task, so make sure you give yourself enough time to relax and get things done properly. Don’t rush, it’s perfectly fine to live out of boxes for a while. Go explore your new city and get comfortable in your local surroundings first.
When it does come around to the weekend, or a spare evening, combat your tasks bit by bit. Making a list of all the things you need to do might sound daunting, but prioritizing the most important tasks really helps — that way you’ll find that you’re not shopping for cushions, before you even have built your bed!
This tip is for all the foodies out there! When I moved abroad for the first time, something which made me really feel at home was traditional home cuisine. It was not only the excitement of finding myself baked beans in the supermarket (haricot beans in tomato sauce — it’s traditional, don’t question it!), but also the anticipation of looking forward to making myself a traditional English fry up. When the weekend came around (a fry-up is a weekend ritual in my family) the food tasted amazing, and the smells made me feel like I was back at home.
Whatever your favorite home cuisine is, and your ability in the kitchen, get cooking! Better yet, host a dinner party for your new colleagues and friends, and introduce them to your culture. You could also bake for your neighbors and use it as a way to introduce yourself to your new community — it will be a treat!
Your new place will almost always feel impersonal and foreign at first. There might even be some features in your new house or apartment that you’re not used to, or that you don’t particularly like. However, sooner or later, perfect or not, your house is going to start feeling like a home.
Whether you moved for love, to further your career, or to explore, you did it because you thought it would be an amazing opportunity and experience. Your new place might never quite feel like the place where you grew up, but there’s something exciting in that, and soon different cultures and cuisines will be part of your life experience.
During her German studies at Queen Mary University of London, Monica worked as an Editorial Intern at InterNations. In her spare time you will most likely find her riding her bike, or in a modern art gallery.
Putting yourself first and taking care of your mental health and well-being should be your priority when moving abroad. Don’t let your negative thoughts take over, they shouldn’t prevent you from living out your next exciting adventure! Here’s how to mentally prepare for your new expat life.
It’s easy to assume that only extroverts can be successful expats. After all, striking up conversations with locals, attending events and joining activities, or even just paying at the grocery store require a bit of sociability. Embracing your introverted qualities, though, can be just as effective as having the most outgoing personality.
Being surrounded by new people and influenced by new cultures, there is never a better time to reinvent yourself and make some changes in your life than when you are moving abroad. Life in another country provides a new environment and new incentives to change yourself for the better. It’s an opportunity you shouldn’t miss! Here are three ways to do it!
When it comes to moving abroad, a warm welcome can make all the difference. Discover the 7 friendliest countries for expats based on our annual Expat Insider survey results.
At the beginning of a new year, a lot of people make an overwhelming list of resolutions they want to keep. However, instead of drastic suggestions, we’ve compiled a list of simple and fun things that are easy to do to help you start off your year in a positive way — let’s beat the January blues!