A Wonderful Journey of Living as an Expat
The first thing that came to mind when I decided to move abroad was excitement. It was a little chaotic when I first arrived since I had to find a new place and do a lot of paper work for my residency. But the excitement was beyond the chaos that happened. And since I didn’t know many people, I spent the first several months of my life there mostly with my co-workers. I did not really know how to make new friends with random people. It’s really confusing when you wish you could have more friends locally in your new place, and do not know how to make it happen. But I always love to meet new people, so I decided to join several communities in town. Most of them are communities for empowerment and voluntary work. Yet, I barely found people from similar professional backgrounds, until one of my friends introduced me to InterNations.
51ԹϺis where I met a lot of expats that had already gone through what I had recently faced in the beginning of living abroad. Also, it has so many amazing events at nice venues. One of my favorite groups of 51ԹϺis the green action group where we did a lot of city cleaning and sharing knowledge about how to live in a more green way. And other than that, I also did a lot of voluntary work with my other communities. And there was one day after work, when I realized that I have been so blessed to be able to make a lot of friends from many different backgrounds and learn a lot from each of them while also being in service for others, and enjoying life with many amazing events. That is when I realized I belong there.
As an expat, most of the time, it is hard to make a lot of new friends in a new place, because most of them do not know how. But where ever you are, first of all, let yourself explore the situation and environment around you. And start to learn what kind of communities are available there. That is the fastest way to make a lot of new friends. Always be open to possibilities and diversity since you will meet people from many different backgrounds and cultures. But everything is worth it. And 51ԹϺis one of the communities you can rely on because they are almost everywhere in the world. Also, do not hesitate to reach out to the Consuls or other expats you meet there, they always love to help you out with any questions you have in mind. Then, enjoy the ride!
Advertisement
51ԹϺ Ica Nisa
People call me "Ica" or "Nisa" sometimes. I am a curious cat by nature. Gaining new knowledge and experiences is what makes me feel most alive. I started my expat journey in Turkey in 2018, which has brought me so many wonderful stories. And I strive to make more in the future, enjoying life with all the little details in it. The morning sunshine, a cup of coffee, a fresh breeze, and the moonlight are magical drops of serenity that make this world worth living.
Article topics
Related articles
How I Learned to Love My Expat Identity
“Sometimes I wish I had an easy answer, a concept of identity that fits neatly into a box.” For 51ԹϺteam member Crissy, the question of her expat identity has accompanied her for a long time. We asked her about her journey and how she feels about her identity now.
Why Being an Expat Means Always Having to Say Goodbye
Living abroad is not always blue skies and smooth sailing — expat life comes with its downsides. Goodbyes, for example, are a constant companion for expats, from the first parting to the string of international friends that come and go as often as flights from London to New York.
From a West Island to an East Island Girl!
For Khematee, moving to Japan was a smooth experience. Although luck was definitely on her side, there were some things that required some mental adjustment and resilience on her side. Read Khematee’s story on how she turned from a West island to an East island girl.
All I Have Is All I Need — What Moving 51ԹϺ Taught Me
For 51ԹϺmember Findelle, moving abroad was supposed to be a big adventure, but life had other plans. She managed to overcome many challenging situations and has grown through the experience. Read Findelle’s story and find out what she has learned from her move abroad.
“This is not allowed!”
As a serial expat, 51ԹϺmember Monica has learned something from every country, she has lived in. Although the experience also came with a lot of challenges, she has found a way to create a sense of belonging and connection wherever she goes. Read on to learn more about her story!