Home Away From Home: Insider Tips For Settling Abroad Comfortably

Relocating to a new country brings a blend of excitement and challenges, like creating a comforting home away from home. It’s an adventure that promises new experiences, cultural immersion, and personal growth.

Read more below to learn insider tips that will help ease the transition. That way, you can quickly embrace your new home as if it were your own.

CONTENTS – In this article, you will find useful tips about creating your home away from home when you settle abroad, including:

Feeling at Home in a New Place: Top Tips for Moving Abroad

If you’ve recently moved abroad, you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed. Everything may seem unfamiliar and strange, even if you’ve visited on vacation before.

Thankfully, while it can be stressful, there are ways to make your transition smoother and create a home away from home. With some simple steps, you will soon feel more at home in your new surroundings.

Not sure where to get started?

Here are the top tips for moving abroad so that you can get settled in as soon as possible.

Let’s begin!

1. Embrace the Culture

One of the best tips to follow when you move abroad is to immerse yourself in the culture.

It’s normal to feel a bit homesick. While you may want to hide away, you’ll find so much to discover if you put yourself out there!

Try taking some of these small steps to get more engaged with your new country:

• Learn how the locals live
• Take part in cultural activities
• Join local clubs
• Attend events, like festivals and exhibitions

You’ll make new connections with people who share similar interests and may even find a new hobby that you never knew about.

It might feel difficult to get started, but every time you get out of the house it will get easier. Not to mention learning how to get around town can prove beneficial in the long run.

This is an important step toward creating your home away from home. When you embrace the culture, you may find yourself feeling at home earlier than you expected.

2. Find Familiarity in Old Comforts

While it’s important to embrace a new culture, finding familiarity in old comforts can also be helpful.

For instance, you might try making some of your favorite home-cooked meals or visiting an international food store for snacks. You may even be able to have these creature comforts shipped online.

Likewise, if you enjoy certain hobbies, take time out of your schedule to fit them in.

It’s also a good idea to obtain an international driver license. That way, you can get around independently without having to rely on an unfamiliar public transportation system.

3. Develop a Routine

Establishing routines are especially important when you’re getting used to a new environment. They help you feel grounded and in control of the situation.

If you are in a different time zone now, you might find it even more challenging to adjust. Still, try to retain some sense of normality to your day.

Here are a few things you can do to reduce feelings of unpredictability and chaos when you move abroad.

• Wake up and go to bed at the same time each and every day
• Create a morning and before-bed routine that feels comforting
• Decide where you will keep important items, like your keys, wallet, electronics, and charging stations
• Pick a home for your shoes, clothing, and laundry
• Establish regular times for food shopping, cleaning, laundry, and bill paying
• If you’re working abroad, set regular business hours
• Make time for additional self-care and daily exercise

Committing to a routine is a good way to reduce your stress and anxiety. Soon, your routines will become the new normal, making your space will feel more like home.

4. Be Open-Minded

As mentioned above, you may feel the need to hide away during the first few weeks after moving.

However, you should try to be open-minded.

Remember, you moved for a reason. So, be patient with yourself and try new things, even if you feel uncomfortable at first. Adjusting is a process.

Alongside helping you learn more about yourself, being open-minded may help you succeed in your career. It creates opportunities for both personal and professional growth.

5. Make New Friends

Moving to a different country does not mean that you have to be alone. Try to establish a support network so you have others to spend time with.

In addition to joining clubs and local groups, you can look to your workplace to make new connections. The office is a great place to make friends, especially if you’re working alongside other expats.

And don’t overlook the local coffee shops and lunch spots. You might notice the same people patronize a place you love and find the nerve to strike up a conversation. Don’t be afraid to go beyond your comfort zones!

6. Learn the Language

Learning the local language, or at least trying to speak it, can make a big difference when you’re moving abroad.

Showing effort can help you connect with locals and it will be easier to complete certain tasks. 

You can take language classes online or through language schools. Of course, the best way to become more confident with your new speaking skills is to practice in public.

Here are a few great tips that can help you learn a new language more quickly:

• Start with short simple dialogues
• Immerse yourself in the language
• Study pronunciation early on
• Determine your learning style

Related: 3 Easy Tips for Communicating When You Don’t Speak the Language [Travel Skills]

7. Create a Comfortable Space | Home Away from Home

To feel at home in your new surroundings, you must create a comfortable space.

Try to make your apartment or house feel like your old home by decorating with items that bring you enjoyment.

You could bring along some of your favorite books and photographs to truly personalize the space. Even music and certain scents can transform the atmosphere so that you feel more at ease.

And don’t forget to bring in some new items that embody your new life abroad.

Related: 7 Apartment Hunting Tips for Living Abroad

8. Keep in Touch With Family and Friends

Staying connected with friends and family back home is essential. While you might think it will make you homesick, it’s good to keep in contact with those you love and trust.

Thanks to technology, this has become easier than ever. You can share photos on social media, schedule video chats, and message regularly.

Of course, you could also write letters and send postcards too. Don’t forget to include your return address so they can write back. A letter in the mail from an old friend can be a delightful surprise!

Final Thoughts on Creating Your Home Away From Home

Moving to a new country is an exciting yet challenging experience that requires some adjustment. By following the above, you can ease through the transition and start to feel more at home.

Remember, you are the only thing that is holding yourself back!

By embracing the culture and being open-minded, nothing can stop you from achieving your goals.

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Next Steps

​For more about traveling abroad, read these articles next:

• Dealing With Homesickness: An Easy Guide To A Better Experience
• How to Strengthen Long Distance Family Relationships & Friends [Easy Tips]
• Starting A New Life Abroad: 3 Great Countries to Pick
• Easy Checklist for Moving Overseas or Out of the Country
• Moving to Athens Greece: 5 Important Tips You Must Not Overlook
• Your Long Distance Move Checklist: 7 To-Dos To Top Your List
• Easy Style: How to Bring Personality into Your Home’s Interior Design