10 things I learned on moving to a foreign country
It is not a big deal these days to visit or settle abroad, whether for studies, work, or another reason. However, when you relocate to a rather unconventional country, unlike gazillions of your desi folks and friends flocking to the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and other Instagram, LinkedIn, and Moneycontrol certified destinations, it does raise a brow. As today marks exactly a year since I moved to Bulgaria, here are 10 things from a purely personal perspective that I learned all this while.
The Beauty of Diversity: Staying comfortably settled in the same place, and being used to a similar lifestyle, we never realize the existence of a world beyond our sphere of daily visibility. The exposure to myriad diverse experiences, perspectives, mannerisms, languages, and people broadens your view and wakes you up to the fact that your knowledge of the world is painfully limited and you are just a tiny spec in the universe.
The Ability to Adapt The most inflexible and obstinate amongst us, those who vouch never to change or accept a certain way of life, also step out of their comfort zones when moving to a different territory. Acknowledging and adapting yourself to changes you never thought you would is the beauty of being alive. Be it the food, weather, language, society, norms, or any other nuance specific to a place is crucial in making us surprisingly all-weather and resilient.
Embracing Cultural Differences while Preserving Identity The uniqueness that accompanies every culture, highlights the associated traditions, food, norms, etiquette, must-haves, and strict no-nos. It is important to respect the same and enrich our knowledge. It is also imperative to sustain our own identity, culture, and core guiding principles. The perfect blend might not exist but a decent concoction will strengthen our bonds and augment our global perspective.
Language is Power As the saying goes, You can never truly gel with someone unless you communicate in a common language. Although the language of the smile, love, humanity, and kindness comes a close second, the language barrier is real. Not being able to understand the local language mars your prospects of blending smoothly with the place and making new friends. As Edmund De Waal aptly said, “With languages, you are at home anywhere”. It certainly becomes a daunting task to express effectively and communicate on point if we do not know at least the basic phrases of the regional language. I have truly learned my lesson as they say “Never make fun of someone who speaks broken English. It means they know another language.”
Living in the present: Living in a place that is away from your traditional home, makes you learn to value the gift of “the present”. Wherever you are, enjoy the cherishable moments ere they turn into postcards. The feeling of homesickness will continue to haunt us but it also reminds us to cherish what is treasurable and forego what is unpleasant, because certain years down the line, we will again miss what we are experiencing now. The only solution is to appreciate today and live in the “now”.
The importance of observation without judgment “The Root of suffering is attachment” is a commonly cited quote from the Buddha. Although it is not for beginners, if we can practice observing things, people, and situations with an air of detachment, we can deal with any circumstance rationally and with wisdom. When we live in a country that is not native to us, there are a lot of aspects that we watch, experience, and absorb, without indulging in the same in the true sense of the word. It serves as a great practice to elevate our perception, intellect, and consciousness, thus building a resilient character.
Understanding and Overcoming the Hedonic Treadmill We ultimately tend to move back to our original state of psychological and emotional inertia, after experiencing joy or sorrow as a result of happenings in life. This is the idea of the Hedonic Treadmill. When we move to a foreign locale, each day and every experience, whether traveling to new sites, trying new cuisine, or meeting new people is refreshing but still possesses the risk of getting stale. However pleasant a vacation is, it is never enough not to want another one in the span of a few days. The anecdote to eliminate hedonic adaptation hasn’t been discovered but a mild cure is to relish all positive experiences, even journal them, and have several different hobbies and activities instead of one.
The value of time and money Moving away from the comforts of your native teaches the worth of time and money as nothing does. The biggest learning is to understand and discriminate between needs and wants when it comes to the aspects of spending and saving. Similarly, when more things are in your control rather than being outsourced, you tend to learn to manage your time effectively.
Growth and Self-Discovery Moving to the European region gives you ample periods to slow down, plan, and relax from time to time. It can be refreshing to break the grind, enjoy the moment, delay the hustle, enjoy your coffee, discover nature and rediscover yourself. It is when the mind is calm, that one can think clearly, bond better with our close ones, and focus on our strengths and self-improvement.
The Importance of Gratitude: Staying in a new country makes you realize every single day, the value of things you took for granted. Whether it is the most common food or the presence of some of your loved ones, you learn to be grateful for simple things and moments in life because they turn into luxury or memories before you realize. Therefore, we must count our blessings every single day and express our gratitude for all the wonderful things around us.
In conclusion, moving abroad is analogous to watching an all-in-one web series having elements of a rom-com, adventure, emotional roller coaster, scenic locales, all-weather terrain, and new experiences, except that you are the main character there. It is an opportunity to explore, grow, learn, and make memories in the journey of life.
