Overwhelmed/disorientated/unsure/uncomfortable…normal feelings at the start of the move!
It can be the most disorientating and overwhelming feeling to be taking on a new job, in a new country, and finding a new home. This is my first year of stepping down from joining an international school, to help my family relocate. However, the feelings of disorientation are somewhat matched, except I do not have a class to be responsible for. Instead, I have been better able to support my family with the stress of a new job for my partner, and a new school for my daughter.
Over the upcoming weeks, I will blog and post here about ways to settle in. This is an area that can be very much overlooked with a move, but it is so important for your mental well-being. I will share my thoughts plus excerpts from my book, Becoming a Successful International Teacher (2021).
“When you first arrive, you may worry that you will not meet friends with similar interests. It’s important to remember that you don’t need to only be friends with fellow teachers; both expats and locals in the outside community can be fantastic for helping you integrate and feel settled.
In order to develop a social network, join clubs which interest you and establish friends outside of work. To find these clubs, contact your school buddy or post on local Facebook groups and other social media. While taking precautions to stay safe, you may also wish to post that you are new to the area and ask if anyone would like to meet up and show you around.
If you have children, seek out parent groups. That way you can socialise with others who have common interests and at the same time, the kids will be entertained.
Another great resource is ‘InterNations’, an expat organisation that is active in most countries. They often host networking events. These meetups are either free to join, or charge a small fee. They can easily be found with an internet search.” pp.95-96.
My update, August 2024
This year I have settled in a small seaside town. From joining Facebook groups I could see that there was a yoga group operating once per week where I live. Also on this feed, I saw someone was looking for pilates. The issue was that there wasn’t a venue. I connected with the yoga/pilates teacher on SM and arranged a meetup to create a new group. We shared coffee and conversation, and I offered my small garden for the group class. One of the group members drove me home and pointed out different areas of interest in the town. It turns out she is a neighbour. After some anxiety this morning due to several reasons, getting out on the first day and meeting others did me good.
New to International Teaching with Jess Gosling 