How do I find a
place that fits my lifestyle?
Assure your
social survival
Much like checking out the financial situation - you
need to carefully investigate the social situation where
you hope to go. A lonely life overseas is no fun at
all.
Ask, Ask, Ask
Again, go to
ELT World and
TESALL discussion boards and ask about lifestyle
issues. Are the local people friendly or xenophobic?
Will you find yourself isolated or quickly absorbed into
an active local or expatriate community?
I
lived for three years in a smallish community in Korea,
but because of friends, had a great social life. Others
find themselves in small towns, lonely, isolated, and
quite unhappy.
It
might be best, with your first job, to avoid smallish
towns or cities, particularly in countries where
foreigners are not quickly accepted - or in communities
where there is not an expatriate community.
The
Expatriate Community
As
much as we would all like to live in, adjust to, and be
accepted by the people of a foreign culture, it is often
more difficult than it might seem and it can take some
time. A strong expatriate community can provide good
support during your initial days, when you don't know
the language and need to sort out your living
situation.
Fresh in a new community, it can even be difficult to
figure out where to find food that you are familiar
with. Other issues that you might need help with:
getting a telephone, cable or satellite TV, a computer
and/or Internet connection, driver's license (some jobs
will require this), a car or motorcycle. Even getting
drinking water delivered to your house can be
problematic.
These are just the beginning issues - what
about going to immigration and getting a resident visa,
a work permit and whatever else may be required on that
side?
Often your employer or coworkers can/will help you with
these issues
- but not always.
Ask
on the boards about the kind of support you might expect
to find in your new community. Also ask about any
lifestyle issues you may be unsure about.
It's better to know - before you go.
