I was absolutely giddy when I heard I was being sent to the UK for an on-site job opportunity. It had only been 6 months since I started my role at a leading multi-national corporation in India, and here I was, about to embark on an international journey. My mind spun with visions of postcard-perfect landscapes, chic apartments, and dazzling office towers; the excitement only intensifying as my friends and family sparkled with pride. “What an achievement!” they’d burst out, glowing. 

But nothing could have prepared me for the reality that awaited. Living abroad turned out to be literally worlds apart from being a tourist in that same country.  

 As you stand at the precipice of this new chapter, I want to offer the lessons and insights I’ve gathered to help light the way ahead. 

You are going to feel… like an alien

You’d think globalisation would make you immune to culture shock – after all, haven’t we already seen it all on our phones? But still, many of the local norms will feel unfamiliar at first. Even everyday things can make you feel like a toddler learning to walk again. Catching a train might require a different kind of etiquette. Grocery shopping may work differently. Even paying bills can be unexpectedly confusing. You’re going to feel out of place at times – and that’s perfectly okay. 

Food was another shock. Moving to an international palate from familiar Indian flavours was a big change. If I thought interstate diversity was a change, adjustment to global flavours was an even bigger transition. 

When you feel like an outsider, it’s easy to retreat into the comfort of your fellow countrymen and avoid locals altogether. But I consciously pushed past that instinct. I made it a goal to connect. Trust that you’ll find good people, because they are out there. In every country, there are locals ready to welcome you and treat you kindly regardless of where you’re from. Just stay open and stay hopeful. You’ve got this. 

Ask a lot of questions

Don’t hesitate to ask colleagues or friends about cultural nuances. Most people genuinely appreciate curiosity and find it amusing, heart-warming and fun – especially when they learn about cultural differences. 

 Living abroad gives you the opportunity to expand your group of friends

Where possible, don’t just stick to your own little group of friends from your country – branch out! Local community gatherings, cultural festivals, and workplace events/parties are excellent opportunities to make friends, expand your cultural awareness, and make yourself feel more at home.  

Weekends might be different

I knew UK locals liked getting drinks after work, however I didn’t know what weekends were actually like. In India, weekends meant carefree outings, lively gatherings, or vibrant parties with friends and family. These things usually didn’t require much planning. But abroad, weekends were more about responsibilities like buying groceries, cleaning the house, and doing laundry. 

Eventually, I found my rhythm. Saturday evenings became my time to explore the city, while Sundays were reserved for catching up with family online and recharging. And a heads-up, you’ll need to adjust to calling home across time zones, but you’ll find your groove. 

Loneliness and homesickness could get incredibly heavy

In the UK, with its gloomy weather and quiet streets, my sense of isolation weighed heavily some days. Unlike my bustling life in India, there were days I didn’t see another soul. It wasn’t easy, but I learned to accept the reality of homesickness and loneliness, and I have advice for easing the feeling a little, including: 

• regular video calls with family and friends back home. 
• engaging in hobbies like photography, fitness, or learning a new skill to fill your free time. You might even make some local or home country friends along the way. 
• say “yes” more often. Join meetup groups, explore Facebook events and accept party invites – whether it’s office dinners or social gatherings. 
• consider reaching out to a counsellor or therapist if the loneliness persists. UTS offers UTS Counselling support, and in Australia, there are FREE mental health phonelines like Lifeline and Beyond Blue where you can talk to people 24/7. 

Invest in self-care

Understand what self-care looks like for you. It may be regular exercise, mindfulness practices like journaling and meditation, long slow walks, taking breaks and eating well. But it really could be anything else. It is personal to you. Make space for “me time” because you are worth caring for, and it prevents burn out. 

See failure and hurdles as part of the journey – they are lessons in disguise

Be aware that challenges will come, but with preparation and a positive mindset, you can turn them into stepping stones for success. In fact, you need to fail. You need to feel uncomfortable. Without this, it’s unlikely that you’ll learn or grow. And during the challenges, be kind to yourself. Success doesn’t happen overnight and you will adapt. You have grown before and you can grow again. 

Conclusion 

Life abroad involves a steep learning curve, and even mundane tasks like managing bills, navigating public transport, or grocery shopping can feel entirely different and alien. This is normal. You might also have to adjust to your newfound independence, and adapt to changing routines and sharing accommodation, sometimes with people from entirely different cultures or lifestyles.  

Amongst the transition, you might feel homesick and lonely. This is also normal, and it’s also worth it. This will be a part of your growth, where you’ll expand not only by learning about the new culture, but more importantly, the possibly surprising resilience already within you. Good luck my fellow traveler! 

Featured image courtesy of Pexels.