How to Cope with Feeling Like a Stranger in a New Place

Moving across the country can fill you with a rollercoaster of emotions. On the surface, it may feel like you're living in a movie. It's exciting, fun, and can feel like a dream come true. On the other hand, it can fill you with many challenges.

Whether you decide to move to a new country for a job, school, a romantic interest, or just because you fell in love with the place, it's common to experience a little anxiety while you find your place in your new home.

Any type of change is hard, especially one that requires moving your entire life to a new country. Homesickness is real. It's easy to feel like you don't belong.

Here are some ways you can cope with feeling like a stranger in a new place:

Go Exploring

Get out there and explore! Don't isolate yourself in your apartment. This will only add to your feelings of being a stranger and alone. The best way to adjust to a new place is to get out there and explore.

Familiarize yourself with your new surroundings. Be a tourist for a few days, but also visit places where the locals go. The more you explore and learn about your new home, the less likely you'll feel like a stranger and even a tourist. Eventually, you may even consider yourself a local!

Make Your Home Feel Like Home

When you're moving to a new country, you don't want to live out of your suitcase as if you were traveling. Make your home actually feel like your home.

Unpack your boxes, hang up your clothes in the closet, and add finishing touches like photos on the wall. Keep in mind that this may require a little extra time compared to just moving to a different state. You may need to spend some time exploring your new country a bit first in order to find the right furniture and accessories to spruce up your space.

Don't Lose Touch With Family and Friends

Even though you can't see your family and friends in person, there are still many great ways that you can stay connected. Your support group can still be there for you, just in a different way. These are some great ways to stay in touch with family and friends:

• Email

• Texting

• WhatsApp

• Facetime

• Snapchat

• Social Media like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter

• Video calls like Zoom, Skype, or Microsoft Teams

Keep in mind that staying overly connected can lead to feelings of missing out and could even worsen some of your homesickness. Try to aim for and keep a healthy balance of staying connected to your friends and family back home but also living your life in your new home country.

Build New Relationships

Get out there and make new friends! If you moved to a new country for work, school, or even a love interest, this may be a little easier for you. You can meet friends and like-minded individuals at your job, school, or through your relationship.

If you moved to a new country alone, you can still meet friends and build relationships when you're out and about. Try getting involved in activities that you enjoy as a way to meet people with common interests as well!

Ask for Help

Don't be afraid to ask for help. If your feelings of homesickness continue, it could lead to feelings of anxiety and depression. Keep in mind that being homesick is completely normal.

Find someone like a mental health professional to help you discuss how you're feeling. They can help you put a plan in place to deal with and control those feelings. Expat counseling can help you become accustomed to the new life you are building, reach out to me for help.