One last gathering...
Organizing a party before going abroad is a good way to see all your loved ones one last time and have a good time together. You can take the opportunity to introduce the country you are going to settle in or your travel itinerary if you are going on a world tour or a traveling trip.
The children will be happy to welcome their friends one last time. It is a ritual that will keep their minds busy and can help them better accept the departure. It is a good time to take a few pictures which they will be able to look at later to cheer them up. It is a good idea to get your guests to leave a few memories in a notebook which can always help when you're experiencing expat blues.
Proper presentation of your expatriation project
Being well prepared for your project will help defend it in front of relatives who might be reluctant. Moreover, it will help you be more confident in your project and stand up to the concerns and reluctance of your relatives should there be any. Being well prepared would also mean you will not give in to the panic induced by your relatives.
If friends and family find that you are well informed about your host country and you already have contacts to find a job, or, even better, already have a job on the spot, they will probably be less worried. The Expat.com site provides a plethora of information as well as contacts already on site. One can also check official sources like the site of the embassy of the country.
Manage guilt and regrets
"I wonder if I should blame myself for not doing enough for my parents. I do not think I'm the only one in this case. And this idea brings me a strange comfort. A cocktail of guilt and doubt, mixed with an unhealthy dose of self-pity: that's what I bathe for a good part of my daily life "says an Indian expatriate based in Dubai in Gulf News.
Many expats face this feeling of guilt and doubt. Some worry about moving away from their aging parents, others will feel they are depriving their children of their grandparents and vice versa, when others will regret not being able to visit their parents or attend family celebrations as well as certain events such as weddings or burials.
It is important not to let these feelings take over every day, as they may hinder your integration and prevent you from making the most of everything your experience abroad has to offer. If the weight of the guilt is too heavy, you can turn to a psychologist specializing in expatriation. Nevertheless, it is also necessary to allow time to do its work, as much for oneself as for one's relatives. Becoming accustomed to a new country or the absence of a loved one requires a period of adaptation during which it is normal to have empty passages.
Use the Internet to keep in touch
Emails, messaging apps and social media has made communication so much easier these days and you're going to have to find a much better excuse not to keep in touch with your loved ones. Even if some countries still have limited access to the internet, one should be able to manage to find connection at least once a week wherever one is on the planet. Point to note: The WiFi Finder app helps to find WiFi networks close to you everywhere on the globe.
Those who like to write, take pictures or capture videos may consider starting a blog. Their loved ones will feel like traveling with them a bit and will be able to check the blog whenever they want rather than waiting for news.
