Moving to a new place can be overwhelming. From learning a new language to finding meaningful relationships, new environments can be hard to navigate. Despite the challenges, here are seven ways to maximize your time abroad.
Consider Challenges as Opportunities
One of the biggest lessons living abroad has taught me is the value of the right mindset. During my latest move to Brazil, I embarked on the journey in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. As I opened my doors and moved into my new place, the reality set in. I no longer could smell my mother’s freshly brewed, Ethiopian coffee or run on familiar trails around my neighborhood. While the loneliness was hard to overcome in the beginning, I made the decision to embrace my challenges as opportunities for growth. Having a positive mindset allows us to identity opportunities in the midst of our challenges.
Learn the Local Environment
The most exciting thing about moving abroad is learning a new environment. Most of us have been guilty of going to a new place and hiding under our own turtle shells; this will only rob us joyful adventures. A new place offers the chance to get out there and learn the local environment. While books and the internet are a great place to start, nothing beats learning a new environment through building relationships. Wherever you go, pursue the stories around you. Whether that is the laundry mat next to your home or the local coffee shop you see locals congregate toward, get out there and learn your new environment awaiting your discovery.
Pick Up a New Language
Philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein once said “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” In other words, expanded language means an expanded world. I can’t say how much learning a language has shaped my life. From my grandma’s fragile utterances in Afaan Oromo to Portuguese-speaking local tour guides in Ouro Preto, speaking different languages has shown me a world I never imagined seeing. The aim here is not always fluency. Simply having conversational skills in any language can allow you to experience something wonderful and enjoy your time abroad.
Related Post: 9 Ways to Learn a New Language in 2022
Find a Community
Another tip for maximizing your time abroad is finding a local community. One of my favorite things to do when I move to a new environment is google search churches around me. While living and studying abroad in the Netherlands, I did just that and found an amazing church community. Given the digital age, sites like eventbrite, and even facebook communities offer excellent venues to find your community. Whether you like a running, reading or knitting, find ways to get engaged with the community around you.
Nourish Your Creativity
A new environment provides ample opportunities to nourish your creativity. Living in Brazil, I realized certain activities like taking guitar lessons or cooking classes were relatively cheaper than that in the U.S. As I picked up playing Brazilian tunes and cooking new, delicious cuisines, I not only learned new crafts but nourished my creativity. Given the challenges of living abroad, growing in creativity is an excellent way to maintain emotional well-being and maximize your time away from home.
Befriend Locals
Whether you are visiting a place for a short period of time or moving abroad permanently, the key to living your best life abroad is befriending locals. Locals bring a wealth of knowledge that no amount of google search can bring your way. Whether you meet someone awesome at a hostel or while exercising at the new gym near you, be bold and make an effort to befriend a local. You just might end up with a life-long friend that helps you find a home away from home.
Give Generously
It is often easy to go into a new environment and expect it to simply give to you. When traveling somewhere, consider how you will give to the new environment. Or how you will enable the place to flourish because of your presence. The reality is- we are the most alive when we give. The more we open our doors, our hearts and our hands in a new place, the more we can leave a lasting legacy and maximize our time abroad.
For more travel tips to maximize time abroad, check out seven reasons why you need to make traveling a priority.
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