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how does one go about it when s/he move overseas?

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spongekoji

Did you speak the language when you moved abroad? If not how to cope? If so, still difficult to make friend? I don’t think it is a good idea to look for the same people who speak the same language in a different country if you have landed the country to broaden your horizon . but it is hard not to..

It is totally understandable. They herd, share information, help each other because they feel more comfortable with things that are familiar. It would be even more so if you are sent there by your company for six months or a year when you did not wish. But what if you cross the border with burning passions for adventure of walking into the unknown and sucking the marrow, but find yourself struggling to communicate your way in.

I think it’s so easy to compromise and spend more and more time with your people. A funny thing is that  those people are not even the type of people you normally hang out with back home but you still do. It is better than feeling isolated.

The more you are on your own the more you learn but tougher and the more at stake to emotionally burn out. The more you huddle the less you learn and miss out one of the most fantastically rewarding experiences, worse and this is more likely you learn little and worst you become ethnocentric.

What do you think about huddling with whom you share the same culture in a different country when you know you are there to learn and broaden your mind? I think one needs to somehow find the balance in between making the best of living overseas and still socialising with the same nationality. After a while you will learn more and gain more skills, eventually you drift away from them, or you might be with them if you will.

http://newopenhorizons.wordpress.com/20 … to-huddle/

szocske

When we moved, we had small children, so I moved alone first, established the beachhead (apartment, car, savings) and my wife followed with the kids when all seemed clear.

I once moved somewhere I barely spoke the language, but I picked it up fast on the streets, and spoke English with all my collages.

spongekoji

Finding a job overseas is probably one of the most common reasons for expats to relocate to begin with. In the case, one can make friends with colleagues  that help get around tremendously.

If you cross a boarder and move to a country for whatever reasons and you don’t have anyone to turn to, then I think you have to do anything you can to get by. That is part of fun but very challenging indeed.

sweetchoice

spongekoji wrote:

Did you speak the language when you moved abroad? If not how to cope? If so, still difficult to make friend? I don’t think it is a good idea to look for the same people who speak the same language in a different country if you have landed the country to broaden your horizon . but it is hard not to..


http://newopenhorizons.wordpress.com/20 … to-huddle/


Good thought

spongekoji

thank you sweetchoice!

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