How to prepare yourself for living in a new country can be a daunting task. For the most part, it’s simply a matter of familiarizing yourself with your new environment. There are some basic things that you can easily learn while you are still living in your current country. The first step would probably be to learn English. Most countries are fairly proficient when it comes to speaking and writing the language. You can usually pick up the basics just by looking at a few signs and interacting with those who live there on a day-to-day basis.
If you know anyone who has traveled to a new country before, you might be able to get some tips or advice from them. You could also try reading books about traveling to a new country. Such books would usually give you insights on what to expect from your first few months in the country, as well as tips on how to better adapt to its culture. Reading such material would help you grasp some of the basics of life in that country. You can also look up travelogues or websites on the web to familiarize yourself with that country’s major cities and other hotspots. Such information would help you better plan your sightseeing itinerary.
Of course, if you’ve never traveled to a foreign country before, then it would help a lot to do some research. You could always check out your local library for reference guides on how to survive in a new place. Usually, such books would include an index that would make finding what you need quick and easy. Other reference materials that you can use would be newspapers and magazines from your home country. It would serve as a quick source of information when you need to read up on something important.
One of the best ways to survive in a foreign country is to network with people who are already living there. You could meet local people during weekends and get to know them better. Some of them might even end up inviting you to social gatherings, parties, and festivals. Learn how to accept new acquaintances and befriend people. If you’re lucky enough, you might even find yourself living with one such person.
You should also keep abreast of current events happening in the country that you plan to live in. Read up on current affairs, especially about politics and news. You might even want to follow up on what your friends are saying about politics. Be careful not to spread false rumors about the government, though. Otherwise, you might end up getting into trouble.
The internet is also a great way of learning how to survive in a new country. Look for online communities that focus on that particular topic. You can easily find out what the latest buzz is in that area. Join in online discussions, ask questions, and get answers. You can even start blogging or writing about that certain topic. Learning how to communicate through technology is something that you would need to do, so it would be best to learn how to use it while you’re still in the process of settling in.
Learn how to manage your time as you become accustomed to your new lifestyle. For example, if you are a university student, you would have to prioritize your studies over your personal life. In the same way, if you are planning to work while you are living with others, it would be practical for you to set aside time for both your personal and your professional life.
It would be wise to enroll in a formal class on basic English grammar. This skill will come in handy during your daily communication with other individuals. Other helpful tips include learning how to properly spell words, learn basic punctuation, and familiarize yourself with common business phrases. Once you have these basic skills down pat, you can already take a stab at assimilating the formal language used in a country where you plan to live for a while.