Finding your Community
There are many reasons why people are drawn to live in another country; work opportunities, school, wanting a fresh start, etc. Whatever your reason is, it is safe to say that being an Expat takes a lot of strength, resilience and determination. It is hard to relocate and start over. Discovering a new way of living can be exciting but it can also be overwhelming and definitely comes with its own challenges. We adapt and learn to do things differently and find a new balance in how we live our lives. And although we may enjoy living in a new country, there are still moments that can bring us back to thinking about home.
Summer growing up and into my adulthood involved lots of outings and events outside with friends and family. The community and sense of belonging that can sometimes not feel present when you move to another country. Community is such a vital part of integrating into a new place and it often is one of the most challenging aspects of being an Expat.
I wanted to share a few thoughts and ideas of creating a community here as an Expat:
(1) Stepping outside your comfort zone: As an introverted person, pushing myself to go out and meet new people can seem like trying to climb Mount Everest. My batteries charge when I am alone- which is fine! However, that can make meeting new people a bit more challenging. I try to make sure I am scheduling in time to meet and socialize throughout the month. By scheduling this in advance (I love the planning in the country!) I allow myself to mentally prepare for these occasions and also for the down time I need afterwards. Remember, you don’t have to do all of the events and stay the whole time- make it work for you. Going to an event for 2 hours and meeting a few people is a big deal!
(2) Seek out activities you love and find your tribe: What were some hobbies that you enjoyed back home? Are you able to find those here? Back in the States I did yoga and fell in love! When I moved here (and got settled in) I found a yoga studio close to my house and ventured to my first class…alone. It was scary and a bit overwhelming but the community there was extremely welcoming and with some time, I began building small interactions with some of the other yogis. Remember, it takes time to find connections, but if you are already doing something that you love, it makes it a bit easier.
(3) Finding the joy with technology: I am amazed by the support and compassion that I see in various FB Expat groups. People genuinely reaching out for guidance on questions, vent frustration, or simply to see if anyone wants to grab a coffee. The online community can be a great place to safely discover things to do in your new home and events that bring other Expats together. If you have not joined one of the FB Expats groups, it might be a nice place to start.
(4) If you have ideas for events, share them: A colleague of mine, Mattaya Parker, and I created AMP Community- A community focused on mental health and wellbeing for Expats in and around The Hague. Both of us being Expats, we feel that this was an area that needed some attention and love so earlier this year we begin hosting events tailored to building this community together! If you have ideas for events that you think could be beneficial and fun, please let us know! We are taking this summer to focus on how we can better support our fellow Expats and we would love to hear from you! We will be hosting our second Smash Event in the fall where we provide plates and glasses and you write frustrations on them and smash them to pieces! If you are interested in this event or have ideas for other community events, please reach out ampcthehague@gmail.com You can also follow up on IG ampc.thehague
Most importantly, remember to be kind to yourself; finding your people and community takes time. Small steps and actions towards your goals will get you there!
Have a beautiful and safe summer!
Photo by Chang Duong on Unsplash