QLD Migration Heritage- Invest and Migrate in Brisbane QLD MIGRATION HERITAGE - Things You Should Know Ab | Page 12

thought we’d focus on overcoming the main challenges of living life abroad as an expat in this report, so
that if you’re finding the thought of moving abroad too testing, you can use the benefit of our
experience and get past those issues that are holding you back. The main hurdles that expatriate face
are the likes of loneliness, language barriers, making friends and coping with the fact that you are always
going to be a foreigner in a foreign land. However, none of these hurdles are ones that you cannot
overcome. If you’re thinking of moving abroad then there are ways you can prepare yourself in advance
so that you don’t become affected by these problems – and if you’re already living abroad and struggling
with some of these problems, we have got solutions for you.
Coping with Loneliness When Living Abroad
When you first relocate overseas there are no two ways about it, you will probably encounter at least a
few moments of strong loneliness. Even if you relocate with your family in tow, the fact that everything
is so new and so unfamiliar can really rock your boat. You will be looking around you for something to
anchor you in your new life – and because you won’t necessarily immediately find it, the most familiar
sensation that you will experience is loneliness. However, you are not really alone! Therefore this is the
very first point that you need to hold on to. For those who have family with them and/or who have
moved to a location where they already have friends or know some familiar faces, reach out and have
some social contact in a relaxed setting to settle yourself. For others who are physically alone in their
new setting with no familiar faces around them, an immediate solution is making contact with people
back home. This will ground you; it will tell you that life is continuing as it always has, that those who
are important in your life are still a constant presence in your life. This should hopefully give you the
strength and courage you need to build up a new network of friends, familiar faces, acquaintances and
colleagues in your new country abroad. This is how you stave off any long-term feelings of
loneliness…and it is very much up to you to work consistently hard at making friends and putting
yourself in a position to meet people and spend time with them.
Missing Family and Friends Back Home
Going hand in hand with loneliness is a strong feeling of missing your friends and family back home –
this is all born out of the fact that you have upset the familiarity in your world and removed your
anchors and stability in life. You need to remember why you have moved abroad and hold on to the
positive reasons you have. You need to know that in a relatively short period of time you will settle
down in your new life and thoroughly enjoy it and get the best out of it. In the meantime you can take
practical steps so that you maintain good contact with those back home. Set up Skype and a webcam so
that you can keep in touch for free. Invite people over to stay with you and plan a time in a few months
when you will go home or meet up with friends or family part of the way home perhaps in a new
destination you can all explore and enjoy together.
Practical Issues Associated With Caring for Loved Ones at Long Distance
For those who have ageing relatives who need care and attention, living abroad can be especially hard
on all concerned. It’s imperative that you set up a care support network back home for those you love
and have a duty to look after because living away at a distance will mean that in an emergency or if