For many, mobility means leaving the comfort zone, from the country of origin – and moving to another, foreign country. It can be an exciting experience but equally a bit scary.
Relocating life to a new place always invites her experiences and challenges, from specialties to hobbies you didn’t want to adapt. And yes, also problems such as loneliness, cultural differences, understanding the health system, the cost of living, finding educational and employment frameworks, language and more.
A psychology website from Slovenia detailed the most common problems that mobile people experience and also contributed tips for dealing with them.
1. Transition: a stressful process in itself
The decision becomes easier if you move to France, where the bracket system tends to put pressure on us. This is about exiting the comfort zone and entering unfamiliar, unknown. It can be a transition between schools, the transition between apartments and the transition between countries. And as far as relocation is concerned, it’s both.
In relocation, you must pack, sell or store all your belongings, you must sign and sign contracts (work contract, apartment contract) and especially – lots of preparations. A lot of thinking, a lot of pressure, a lot of planning.
How do I facilitate the transition process?
Write down. Edit lists or search for lists that other movers have created. These tables will bring control into the chaos of the transition.
Ask. Your loved ones want to help, ask them. It can be a fun activity together, just before we break up.
Called. Search for information about your destination in the forums, groups on Facebook, and designated websites.
Turn around. Take a preliminary tour of the new destination. Take a walk just before the crossing, get to know the surroundings.
These are very high-level services and yet, 85% of the population also has private health insurance. Those who stay in France less than 183 days a year are not eligible for public health insurance and must contact private parties to cover this element.
2. Career: change with a lot of worries
There are those who move abroad as a result of a role, and some are looking for themselves. In both cases it is a change – the work environment is different, the role is different, the language is different and also the circle of colleagues.
More concerns that may arise on the professional side:
A. Maybe I won’t like the job?
In. Maybe I can’t fit in?
gimel. Maybe I can’t handle the stress at work?
D. Maybe I won’t be able to communicate properly with my colleagues?
the. Who should I talk to in the event of a professional conflict?
and. Is my professional experience enough at the new destination?
m. Where and how should I look for work?
H. What salary should I be aiming for?
Here’s how to spread the fear:
Worked. Preparatory work is very important in cases of changes in employment. Work hard before me, so you can reap the rewards when you arrive: get to know the market, the way local and cultural media, the rights of the worker and expectations of it.
Connect. Join LinkedIn and look for surfers from your destination country. Talk to them. Most of them will be willing to assist.
Find out. Try to find out how your role is perceived in the local market. Is it required? Is the market saturated?
3. Language: the language barrier and its learning
Many times, language difficulties can lead to the relocation barrier. Acquiring a new language is a skill that takes time and cannot be accelerated in this learning.
Here are some tips that will benefit you:
Learned. Sign up for a language learning course as soon as you’ve decided on the move.
Tracker. Find locals to hang out with you or talk to you. These can be mobility vehicles that are in Israel or even virtual contact.
Downloaded. Search for language learning apps and download them to your smartphone. Moreover, move your phone settings to the language you hope to learn.
Watch. Search for and watch programs in the local language.
4. The cost of living: completely different standards
We call these crossings “quality of life copying”, as the goal is to copy or improve existing standards. And yet, even if the level is maintained, there will be a change of course.
And with each change there is preparation and adaptation. If, for example, you earn more, ask what the cost of living is and how much you will have left in your pocket. If you have certain hobbies, ask what their cost is in the local environment. Different aspects can greatly affect your livelihood and, in fact, the success of the transition.
What can I do?
Surf. Search the web for information such as the prices of certain consumer goods, rental prices, and more, and cross-reference with the salary you receive. That way you’ll know where you stand.
Prepare. Prepare yourself and your children for a lifestyle change. It doesn’t have to be a change to the negative, but also an increase in lifestyle is a change and needs to be prepared for.
5. Loneliness: alone in a foreign land
Leaving family and friends behind makes you feel lonely, even if you’re traveling with your nuclear family.
What can be done to alleviate loneliness?
Planned. Try to name the date when you will meet with those closest to you, so you will have something to look forward to.
Call. Skype, Whatsapp, Facetime – all of these and more are great options for everyday communication to keep up to date.
Wrote. Try to correspond as before, with paper and pen and a wrap and mail. It’s a lovely way to convey your experiences, your longing and, yes, the time as well.
Avoid. If loneliness is extreme, you may want to avoid places reminiscent of home, such as Israeli restaurants, for example.
6. Social life: the time to find new friends
One of the most common problems that mobilizers face is establishing social life in the new place. And it’s really challenging. You need to adapt to a new environment, make new friends, and get over what you left behind. And this is the hard part – saying goodbye to loved ones and lovers and at the same time getting close to strangers.
Fortunately, we live in a digital age where it is easier to stay connected from afar through software and apps like WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook, Weaver and more. Still, it’s better if you find friends who are in physical proximity.
How do we do that?
Get. You can ask coworkers what are the preferred hangouts in the area.
Talk. Go to mobility forums and offer a meeting. It could be a night out in a café, a basketball game or a Friday dinner.
Blend in. Find you a bar or café that will be your regular. Once your face is familiar in the local landscape, connections will be formed.
Develop. Knock on the neighbors’ doors and introduce yourselves.
Volunteered. Volunteering is a great way to get to know the locals.
7. Food: the differences between the local taste and my taste
Each culture has its own unique cuisine, and it can be very different from what you’re used to. Many mobiles experience culinary difficulty, when they are actually used to something, and have to adapt to something completely different that will replace it. It can be seasoning, snacks, cheeses and more.
You can stick to your food and organize deliveries from Israel and you can adapt to the local tastes. Both options are difficult.
Here’s how to make it easier for yourself:
Compare. Before moving, check, inquire, ask and compare to your taste. You can make a list of places you like when you land.
Asked. Use other mobility forums and flood the question: “How do you get along with the food here?”. You may find useful tips from Israelis who have lived there for a long time.
Ask. Don’t be shy about asking for bundles of comfort from your family members. You do not move to the moon and almost anything can be sent abroad (pay attention to restrictions of local customs).
8. Health insurance: how can you understand something from this?
Mobiles, especially those who move with children, are very concerned that they will not be able to get around the public health system of the new target. Each country has different rules and if you don’t pay attention, you may find yourself with quite high debts for a regular visit to the clinic.
And what about the quality of services and the quality of doctors? And how do you sign up? And what is the difference between the countries when it comes to vaccines? There’s a lot of questions and questions.
Check. Check carefully. Read and inquire and explore all forums and websites. It’s an important issue to understand in depth. If necessary, consult with local relocation consultants .
Check. Check whether there is a social convention between the country you are moving to and Israel and whether this gives you certain rights when it comes to health insurance.
Check. Check the standards of the public and private health system and compare them.
Check. If you are moving on behalf of a workplace, check whether the contract has a clause that covers you in terms of health insurance and whether it covers the rest of the family.
Check. If there are regular medications you are taking, check your generic oil and how they are called and sold in the country you are moving to.
9. Culture: adapt to different norms
Moving between countries also entails a transition between cultures, norms and values. For many mobile people, this is a large-scale change and in fact they find themselves adapting to a very different life than they are used to.
But, from a close perspective, one understands that cultural acclimatization is related to character, related to inclusion and acceptance of the other and flexibility of thought. By accepting the other you will be able to adapt and acclimatize easily.
Here are some more tips:
Learned. Read about the history of the place to understand where the locals and their ancestors came from and what values they espouse.
Develop. Be open to the cultural differences and try to go along with them.
Mind. Take a vacation at the new destination. Watch the locals also during vacation time and not just on a daily basis.
You’re ahead of a relocation? We invite you
to a consultation
