How to Handle Culture Shock After a Long Distance Move

Culture shock is one of the most difficult transitional stages in an individual’s life. There are many phases of adaptation, and everyone responds to change in different ways. Fortunately, this guide reveals ten powerful steps anyone can take to minimize cultural disconnection after a long-distance move.

1. Connect with an Insider

Having a reliable contact within the new culture is essential for successful integration. This friend can help with basic tasks such as translations and directions, but they can also assist with understanding nuanced customs and subtle local intricacies.

2. Make Friends of the Same Culture

To avoid feelings of complete loss or detachment, be sure to form bonds with people who come from the same cultural background. Global relocation becomes easier when the sense of isolation is reduced. Luckily, people in a similar situation often stand out, making them easier to find and connect with.

3. Explore Non-Stop

New areas offer new opportunities for discovery and comfort. As the initial unfamiliarity fades, those who enjoy traveling abroad will find peace in the endless possibilities for adventure. Use this time as an opportunity to study the region thoroughly. Memorizing key destinations can help ease the anxiety of getting lost.

4. Engage Every Day

Don’t become discouraged or withdrawn; instead, continually immerse yourself in new local activities. By staying consistently outgoing, you can learn to thrive in your new environment. Keep pursuing new avenues for living and exploration.

5. Pack Sentimental Keepsakes

Professional international movers will keep your treasured possessions safe, so don’t hesitate to bring comforting reminders of home on your journey. Heirlooms and mementos can soothe emotional loneliness and ease the sense of separation.

6. Stay in Touch with Home

Ties to home are uniquely important after an international move. Use social networks to communicate often, and request care packages from friends and family. Support from home can ease a great deal of unnecessary uncertainty.

7. Keep Routines

Maintaining some semblance of a schedule can reduce the stress of being immersed in an unfamiliar culture. Routines provide psychological stability when everything else feels chaotic. After moving internationally, a balanced calendar can promote clarity and a sense of security.

8. Be Spontaneous

Your schedule should be flexible enough to allow for spontaneous adventures. A rigid lifestyle can hinder adaptation, so embrace occasional whims. This openness encourages new experiences and friendships.

9. Find Something to Appreciate

Develop a sense of connection with the new culture by enjoying local amenities regularly. By actively experiencing the region in a variety of ways, you can assimilate with different niche communities.

10. Have Patience

Time is the best remedy for culture shock, and while extra effort can help, it can only speed the process so much. It may take up to a year for all the effects to fade—but the resulting integration is well worth the patience and perseverance.

Although moving overseas can feel overwhelming, there are many ways to make the transition smoother. By getting in touch with SDC International Shipping, our team can help make your move much easier. We’ll pack your belongings, ship them, and deliver them to your new home—while answering any questions you may have.