Moving overseas can be the adventure of a lifetime. You get to experience a different culture, possibly live in a warmer climate and see sights that you wouldn’t get to see at home. If you are going to be living overseas, how can you get to know and become acclimated to your new surroundings?

1) See the Sights

Before you move to your new city, you should take some time traveling abroad to as many new places as possible. This will get you comfortable with the idea of being in a foreign country surrounded by people who don’t speak your language or share your culture.

2) Get Lost in the City

When you arrive at your destination, take some time to simply get lost in the city. Take a bus or a taxi to a few random spots to help you get your bearings. By seeing as much of the city as you can in your first week there, you will quickly learn where everything is and the fastest ways to get around.

3) Try the Local Cuisine

You can’t call yourself a local if you don’t eat the local cuisine. While you don’t need to have cold soup or curry with every meal, you should at least try what the locals eat on a regular basis. You may find that you actually like the food more than the what you eat at home.

4) Make Friends

Making friends with those who live in the area can help speed up the process of learning about your new surroundings. When you make friends, you are more likely to visit local nightclubs, go to sporting events and do other things that are customary in your new city.

5) Live in the Heart of the City

You won’t be able to do any of these things if you don’t live where the people are. Instead of living in a big house on the outskirts of town, get an apartment in the heart of the city. This will force you to immerse yourself in the local culture and get to know people right away.

Once you get comfortable in your new surroundings, you will start to feel safe and start to embrace your overseas adventure. Whether you are moving for business or for family reasons, you should act like a local as soon as possible to get the most from your experience in a foreign land.