So you have decided to go back to your roots. Excellent!
Being back demands more adjustment than you first did while moving abroad. Even if you are born and bred there, your native place may look different and feel different when you go there after long. However, this euphoria goes on for a few days only. Later you yourself start enjoying the sense of belonging.
Here are some do’s and don’ts for returning residents to handle repatriation with ease and thrive in home with a relaxed state of mind.
Definitely Do Before You Move
1) Plan your return to save yourself from the messy transition later. Since your family will also have their own adjustments from settling in to dealing with emotional side of things to thrive back home, draw a plan for managing its requirements like your kids’ school, your spouse’s workplace, etc.
2) Think about your accommodation back home. If you already own property in your native place, then there is nothing like it. If not, consider your family needs, location of the property, and its proximity to places like your workplace, your spouse’s workplace and kids’ school etc.
3) Enhance your social circle through social networking websites and by joining groups focusing on newcomers to the city. You might even search for a group of expat returnees to help you settle in. Think of visiting your home place before you actually make a full move to look into the things like property etc.
4) Other necessary things you should add in your to-do list are: Giving notice at your current place or working with them on your transition back abroad, ending your current lease or selling your home abroad (if you own it), cancelling your utilities upon leaving your residence, sharing your contact information with all the important contacts.
5) Create a transition fund and update your banks as soon as possible.
After You Return
6) Keep your mind open. People in your home country might say or do things that you are not accustomed to. However, you need to understand that people here are following their own set of rules and values, not yours. Rediscover their perceptions, and try to avoid comparing your host country to your native country.
7) Line up external support you might need for business aspects like accounts management or legal advice.
8) Get in touch with your relatives and old buddies. You can think of arranging a get together with all to celebrate your arrival back home.
9) Discover what you used to love about your native place. This will refresh your old good memories and help you embrace the place.
10) Find out innovative ways to leverage your skills and knowledge. Remember, you have got an exceptional expertise and can even help fellow immigrants to adjust. Forums are an excellent place to share experiences and make expat friends.
Definitely Don’t – Before You Move
1) Scanning documents can be pain especially when you are in rush. Therefore don’t forget to keep a digital scan of all your important documents.
After You Move
1) Do not be upset if you find yourself a bit non-resilient towards the things happening around you.
2) Don’t judge anyone too quickly. Make an effort to understand the thing first as there is always a reason to explain people’s behavior. For example: Don’t be shocked if someone denies giving his/her name whereas people in your host country would have done it. It can be a matter of privacy.
3) Everyone in your circle knows that you have returned from a different country. Therefore, you don’t need to show it to them by being worldly or more cultured. Your friends and family expect the old you, though it might take some time to be re-acquainted to your old customs and traditions.
4) It’s good to share your experience and the amazing things about your host country till the time people want to hear it. So, don’t keep bragging about it all the time. Instead of helping you, it will only add to your homesickness and isolate you from people around.
5) Don’t rush the things, but do calculate the expenses you will incur on important things like: what it will cost you to buy a home (if you will be living separately), and accommodating other necessary things. You may use a cost of living calculator available online to get an idea of the amount required.
6) Don’t indulge yourself too much in work during the first few weeks. Bring back the sense of adventure and spontaneity. Visit the places known for being adventurous back in your native country.
7) Lastly but not finally, don’t be afraid to ask for support from your family, relatives and buddies who have always been living there.
