Despite of where
you are from, at some point, you will feel like a fish that has moved to a
different body of water. The first few days won’t be that bad – because
everything is exciting and fresh. Out here, you could make your own coffee,
pump your own gas. There are toilet papers everywhere. Bathrooms are clean.
Doctor appointments and laundry are not a whole day affair and you could get
almost anything by mail (and it’s fast!). A few weeks will pass and you will
pay more attention on settling down and establishing a routine – the American
way. At times, you will hear a small voice inside you questioning things like why
you have to use a vacuum cleaner when in your country, a broom and dust pan
took care of the job just fine but of course, the house where you now live has
at least one pet and you will realize that it makes sense. Americans like dogs
so get ready to talk about them in parties, sit with them on the couch when
visiting a friend’s house and don’t be surprised to see that they co-sleep with
their owners, or should I say, parents. Then the season will change and you
will be thrilled that the green leaves have turned yellow then later that the
lake has turned into ice. You will develop a child-like amazement at these things
at the same time dread that you now have to bundle up every time you go
outside. As you marvel at mumps and enjoy your apple cider and pumpkin pie, you
will also long for some salted fish or grilled squid. There will be times when
you will crave for a specific food but you cannot find it – and if you are
pregnant, you will just wail and move heaven and earth to make that food. But
as you remember the old friends you have left behind, you will have new ones. And
this is where I give my advice: Reach out. Do not wait for people to start a
friendship with you. Make the first move. As you move to a different country,
your role in life will most probably change too. So, do not hesitate to try
doing new things. Embrace the role you are now called to live. Never stop
learning. Find a grocery store that sells basic ingredients from your home
country and make that food you have been craving for – even if it means
continuous stirring for an hour! There’s so much to learn so I’ll end here for
now as you take all these things in.
