Moving abroad can be a scary prospect, especially when you’re leaving your closest family and friends behind. How will you stay in touch with everyone you know?
Well, first off, know that as it’s you moving abroad, you’ll need to do the lion share of contacting and speaking with people you know. Which is far harder than you might have imagined, here’s a few tips on how to keep in contact with the important people in your life:
Document Your New Life
When you move abroad, staying in touch with every single family member, friend or ex-colleague can be over-whelming. You just don’t have that much time to personally message everyone you know, no matter how much you would like to.
There is a simpler answer though, social media! These days, just about every one of us has a Facebook or an Instagram profile, and these channels are perfect ways for you to share and showcase your new life abroad.
All you need to do is post a few photos and regularly comment on your friend’s posts. This is far easier than personally messaging or phoning people, but still helps you stay in touch.
If you don’t want to share all your family photos on Facebook, but still want to keep sending family photographs, make yourself a group on something like WhatsApp. Here you can make a group of people close to your family and send regular photos to that group. As these are group chats, it also gives you the opportunity to ask a larger group how they’re getting on, rather than individuals.
Use Skype
For close family and friends, you’ll need something more than a simple Facebook update. Here, Skype can be a brilliant and free way to stay in touch.
You might not be able to meet up with your mum or best mate for a cup of tea and a gossip in person, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a fake date. Arrange a time that suits you both, stick the kettle on and start a video call.
Skype is also wonderful for grandparents, as it allows to see the kids playing and interact with them.
Visit as Much as You Can
If you’ve moved far away, regular visits aren’t very realistic. However, if you really want the face-to-face time with your family or friends, then arranging visits is a must. Even if it’s only once every couple of years, having a visit set up can really boost both you and your family’s moods.
Also, make sure that your family takes turns visiting you. This will help you both for holiday time and financially, and will help your family experience what your new life is like.
Accept That You Will Lose Contact with Some People
As hard as it is to hear, you will need to accept that moving abroad means you might lose contact with some people. Keep in mind, though, you’ve made the choice to move abroad to better your life and your family’s life. Losing a few friends along the way is unfortunate, but try not to take it personally. Making the effort with key family members and friends is the most important.
