Expat loneliness – how to fight it?
Moving abroad is a bold step that simply cannot be taken by everyone. Nevertheless, if you are one of the brave ones who decided to start a new adventure in another country, we are here to help you with one of the most common problems – anxiety and loneliness appearing after moving to a whole new place.
1. Find an expat group
For many of you, it was one of the first things you did after moving – looking up some international groups in your city on Facebook. Not many expats regret it! It is a great way to meet people for the first time after the move – people, who are in a situation very similar to yours. It may even happen that you meet someone who speaks your language, or at least comes from your part of the world! Could there be a more valuable experience at the beginning of your expat road?
2. Sign up for a language course
… or any other class, for that matter. It is important to find time for personal development that is not work-related (presuming you moved to pursue a career). Language classes are a good way to get round doing it. First – they let you meet people, who are most likely expats like you. Secondly – you will actually learn the basics of Polish and therefore increase your chances of interacting with the locals. Go back to our home page to see some recommended language schools in Poland.
You can always learn Polish on your own...
But we still recommend doing it in a group!
3. Socialize
A co-worker asks you out for a drink? Give it a go! You are invited to a Sunday dinner with their family? You cannot say no to rosó?! Make sure you make most of it when you interact with people in the office, your local grocery store, shopping mall… If your employer organises an office party (e.g. a Christmas party), do not turn down the invitation. Bake some cookies or sign up for a sports group in your organisation – this will all pay off in the future!
Can you think of any other solutions to these problems?
