'Expat Mindset': How to Adjust to Moving Abroad

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Materials

June 24, 2024

Intermediate

Exercise 1

Vocabulary

Repeat each word, definition, and example sentence after your tutor.

adjust

Verb

əˈdʒʌst

to adapt or get used to something

It took me a few months to adjust to life in the city.

home comforts

Noun

həʊm ˈkʌmfərts

things associated with home that improve one's comfort and well-being

Shortly after I moved abroad, my mom sent me a package with a few home comforts.

expat

Noun

Informal

ˈekspæt

a person who leaves their country to live in another one

Spain is home to thousands of British expats.

homesick

Adjective

ˈhoʊmˌsɪk

feeling a desire for one's home after being away from it for a long time

The whole time I was in Canada, I never felt homesick.

embrace

Verb

ɪmˈbreɪs

to accept or support a new idea, technology, belief, etc. with enthusiasm

I decided to embrace a vegan lifestyle after reading about the health and environmental benefits.

mindset

Noun

ˈmaɪndset

a set of attitudes or ideas that a person has about something

I try to keep a positive mindset, even when things don't go my way.

Exercise 2

Article

Read the article aloud on your own or repeat each paragraph after your tutor.

AI Generated Audio––:–– / ––:––

'Expat Mindset': How to Adjust to Moving Abroad

One of the reasons people move to live in another country is because they want something different.

But sometimes those differences make adjusting to life abroad a bit difficult.

So what can you do to make yourself feel more comfortable in your new home in another country?

Take some home comforts

Whether you're sharing an apartment with others or you're living alone, taking a few small personal items can make a new place feel like a home.

These could be some photos of family or friends, a favorite blanket, or even a PlayStation 5.

Long-term expat Melissa Espinosa says these things can make a big difference.

Get into a routine

If you're feeling homesick, getting into a new routine can help make your new life feel normal — and not like a holiday.

To begin with, that might mean taking a morning walk, going out to the supermarket or to a cafe. This will also help you explore your new area.

Find new favorites

Exploring will also help you find new places you like: your new favorite coffee shop, supermarket, clothing store, bar, park and so on.

As Espinosa says: "When you go to the same places over and over again, you will begin to feel like those places are 'yours' and you'll feel less like a visitor in your country."

The employees in those new places might even get to know you!

Embrace 'expat mindset'

Speaking to language website Lingoda, Adriana Stein, an American who works in Germany, said having an "expat mindset" is really important. By this, she means embracing the new culture and being prepared to adapt.

This might include putting yourself in new situations and meeting new people — some who may be in the same situation as you, and others who can show you around your new country!