Be prepared for things to be different from your undergraduate
traveling experiences.
While most who move domestically seem to have few problems with
the relocation, those who go abroad find that making a new
network of friends is not always easy, especially if you do not
have all that much time for socializing.
"Sometimes when you live at home in the States, you get very
comfortable and used to having friends around. You take a lot
of things for granted, like having friends, family and just
knowing your work environment," Annette says. "When you're
working in a foreign country...you really have to bring
yourself to another level. You're completely independent and
you have no support structure. All you have is your job."
Of course, no matter where you are, there are standard ways
of meeting new people: joining a gym or a social club,
hanging out at a bookstore or coffee shop on a regular basis,
asking co-workers to set you up, or even frequenting local
Internet chat rooms (if that's your thing). Or, you could do
something a little crazier like Alexis did: She participated
in a bachelorette auction in Atlanta and that led her to some
new relationships that she has kept to this day.
Change is scary
Be prepared, however, for things to be different from
undergraduate traveling experiences. "It's one thing if you
go [abroad] and you're a student because you're thrown into a
situation where you can easily meet people," Annette says.
"If you go over there to work, you're there to work, and
you'll have to choose how you're going to spend the little
free time you have."
One thing is consistent, though: you have to be open to
change and willing to adapt to the new environment,
regardless of where you are. There's always a disorienting
"systems adjustment," which will include getting used to new
methods of transportation (the subway in New York City, for
example, is very different from the "T" in Boston) and change
of pace, learning about local traditions and members of local
government, and finding out where the cool places are to
spend your free time.
"A lot of people when they [move] just don't know how to
handle not being in their element and it makes them
uncomfortable. They're completely out of control of their
entire life. They have no control and you have to be willing
to let go of that control," Annette says.
Change is good
Kerri Berney, 22, who moved to Los Angeles from New Jersey
to find a career in film, believes the adjustment can be fun
and sometimes even surprising. "People move much slower out
here. I always thought that was just an old wives' tale. But
it's true," she says with a laugh. "Also, they can't cross
streets and they don't use their signals while driving."
According to Suzie Elkin, 30, who spent a year in Madrid
teaching English, it is imperative for people who
relocate--especially internationally--to be open to other
people's culture. "You need to remember that it is not your
country," she advises. "You need to respect that it can be
uncomfortable, especially if you don't understand the
language."
