Your First Experience in a New Country
This is an exciting time! There are so many questions that everyone asks and it’s not all easy and fun to talk about because while your friends back home are cheering you on and proud that you’re deciding to live your life to the fullest, you have to completely adjust to a new way of living. This includes getting your body adjusted and working through jet lag. You could experience some body aches as you adjust to the food and the water change. There is also the constant feeling of being like an alien especially if you don’t speak the language fluently. There are little tasks that you have to get done that feel monumental and you look at yourself wondering if you think you are capable of moving to another country on your own. This story has been told time and time again but my parents were not immigrants and neither were their parents. Starting over in a new country means I am the first in a long time to migrate somewhere different which in itself comes with questions and luckily, answers.
If you find yourself embarking on this journey with very little information to grasp, don’t worry. Here are some things that you could experience being in a new country that no one really prepares you for.
In the article, 5 Major Things I Learned After Moving to France, you’ll find some of the culture shocks I ran into within my first months. At this point in my life, there are also downsides that people don’t talk about. France is a beautiful country with architecture that makes you stop, stare, and romanticize the world around you. It’s beautiful to visit but living in Paris also means you have to deal with the administration, the culture, the metro, and customs that may seem subtle but are important.
Loneliness and How to Deal With It
You would think that being in a new place filled with rich culture and adventure would make you feel happy all the time. Well, loneliness does set in, especially if you are far from your friend in family thousands of miles away. There are times when the dust has settled and you look around and realize that life is a lot different than what you were used to.
This is a normal feeling to seem out of place like life has flipped on you. Even if you wanted this change and you wanted the life that you live there are things that you may never understand. When you speak to your friends back home you realize that certain jokes aren’t understood where you currently are. Everyone could be talking about that one show that played during their childhood and you can’t relate. This isn’t a reason to abandon ship and go back home because you’re too out of place. It comes with the adventure, and soon the loneliness will go from a constant feeling to only a brief thought now and then. Give it some time.
Hacks to Meeting New People
Believe it or not, dating is a great way to find spots that you may not know of. You can go to little places that Google may not tell you about and meet people as well. Even if it doesn’t work out long term, you could end up making great friendships.
It’s important to research the dating apps that are popular in that country. France uses the same dating apps I’m used to like Hinge and Tinder, but others like Happn, tell you if you have crossed paths with the person on your day-to-day walk. Dating was a way to find some cool shows, get great food, and explore. You find it on many profiles where people are honest that they are only in town for a while and looking for someone to show them around. That could be a great opener, but be careful for it could also lead to some pretty sketchy meet ups. Always have your location on and tell a friend where you are going. If you have any strange feelings about the meet up prior then DON’T GO.
Learn to strike up a conversation. Thankfully the convenience store by my apartment in France had a really nice clerk. He practiced his English with me and I practiced my French. After coming in every day, we started to get to know each other, and then a friendship blossomed from there. It’s also another way to meet people and get some good tips on where to go.
Head to Church! I attended a cool American church full of youths who were friendly and welcoming. Though I didn’t attend any of the game nights, I was grateful to have something to look forward to when I didn’t know where to turn. Churches are great because the church I went to had a welcoming committee that would talk to all the new members. Being that it was also an American church, they were full of people who could relate to what I was going through and how I was feeling.
Friendship affirmations are a must! My closest friends in France are a result of an introduction from a friend in Texas. God works in many ways and the more you put this affirmation in front of you and pray for the friends you receive, you will meet the greatest people perfect for you.
Dealing with Jet Lag
Depending on how long you are traveling, jet lag can be a huge problem. Whatever you do, make sure you carve out plenty of time for rest. Drink a lot of water and eat something hearty because your body is adjusting to the time change and trying to catch up. The first few days of traveling to a new country with a major time difference can seem okay at first, but then it becomes jarring and hits all at once. Just know that jet lag needs time to wear off so if you’re feeling sick or tired and unsure if you ate something bad, remember that you are more than likely in need of a good rest.
Get into the Mindset of Learning Something from Scratch.
What you think you know, may not be the way it’s actually done. A lot of research is involved when you’re making a huge culture jump and if you have decided to venture away from tourist areas, then it’s more than important to have a coachable mindset. Depending on where you are from, there can also be a prejudice about your background. For example, I’m an American and I have a pretty general American girl accent. The background for Americans in France is quite positive from what I’ve experienced, however, it may differ in other places.
This may seem unfair or even sumptuous but remember, you are not where you grew up and you have to learn the art of adaptation. Make sure to be safe when you travel.
Don’t be obnoxious. This may seem self explanatory but there are so many instances of people traveling that bring their arrogance with them. As an American, I have experienced this with the few Americans I have seen in France. Sometimes they can be very overbearing with not knowing the language or even rude when speaking to someone without saying Hello.
Being adaptable doesn’t mean you have to lose the strength of your personality but leave the excuses at home for why you may be acting rude and entitled :)
It’s also a lot easier to find your voice in a new country if you are able to practice the language. If you don’t know where to start, you can get 30% off your first language course with Preply! Try your first class and fall in love with a great tutor.
Enjoy the Little Things Amidst the Chaos
Remember to enjoy the little things while you are there. If you have to do something mundane, like run an errand at the post office, take the time to marvel at the architecture. Remind yourself you are where you want to be in every little action. Savor your meals and laugh with friends. These are practices to instill no matter where you live but don’t let the stresses of being in a new country make you miss every detail of why you came.
Whenever you leave, you may want to remember all the beautiful things you did and saw on your travels. Be sure to take plenty of pictures even if it doesn’t seem like your thing. Even though I have a blog, I’m not keen on taking pictures, so I record my memories in poetry and journal entries so I don’t forget the experience; even in the little moments of travel, like tasting a national dish for the first time or seeing an amazing landmark. Settle into these moments and make notes. Keep a glass jar of little memories or souvenirs like train tickets and beer mats.
Related Article: How to Be Calm in the Middle of Chaos
Peer Pressure to Be Perfect
As you navigate through this uncharted territory, it's natural to feel a sense of pride emanating from your friends and family back home. They admire your courage and determination to explore new horizons. However, it's essential to recognize that your journey doesn't have to conform to the expectations of others.
In this era of social media, it's easy to fall into the trap of comparing your experience to the picture-perfect lives depicted by travel influencers. But the truth is, not everyone is a travel influencer, nor should they aspire to be. Your journey is unique and meant to be an authentic reflection of who you are.
It's perfectly okay if your travel experience isn't filled with glamorous adventures or aesthetically pleasing moments. The reality is that living in a new country comes with its fair share of challenges and unexpected twists. It's in these imperfections and unexpected moments that you'll discover the true essence of your journey.
Remember, the purpose of exploring the world is not to seek validation or admiration from others, but to embark on a path of self-discovery and growth. Embrace the joys and challenges that come your way, as they are integral parts of your unique adventure.
Take Away Trail
Live Your Life! This is great that you are exploring and planning to go somewhere you’ve never been. Venture out and enjoy every moment, but be sure to know that it’s not going to look like what you see on Instagram. These are some very real experiences you may have when traveling and you may feel like you’re doing it wrong or that it is too overwhelming. Don’t worry, these absurd feelings are surprisingly normal. These questions have answers and hopefully, this blog post encourages you to explore despite the adversity.
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