How to Nurture Relationships and Stay Connected While Living Abroad
Living abroad, whether for a short duration or for a long period of time, often means leaving loved ones behind in your home country. Some people move abroad without their significant others, and more still become expats without their family and network of friends. There’s no reason, however, that you must put an end to your relationships because you’re changing locations! Read on to find out how you can successfully stay in touch with the people you care about from abroad.
Make an Effort
In the hustle and bustle of working, studying, and living abroad, it can be difficult to find the time to communicate with people who live in different countries and time zones. Identify the relationships that matter most to you and schedule weekly, biweekly, or monthly time to connect with them. While it may feel impersonal to schedule things like this in your calendar, you’d be surprised by how quickly months can pass without ever having a substantial conversation with your loved ones. Don’t trust yourself to reach out in your spare time, set up time in your schedule to ensure you’ll stay in touch.
Instant Messaging
One of the easiest ways to keep in touch with others is by using instant messaging. Although this isn’t the most personal way to communicate, it’s convenient and accessible to almost anybody. For example, using iMessage over WiFi is free if both parties have an iPhone, and options for people without iPhones include using What’s App, a free app for smartphones, and Facebook Messenger, a free instant messaging app created by Facebook that can both be used over WiFi. Avoid paying hefty SMS fees with these messaging options that give you the possibility to “text” for free!
Video Chat
One of the most difficult parts of nurturing international relationships is coordinating face-to-face interaction with people in different time zones. Enter Marco Polo, a free video messaging app. Unlike other apps, Marco Polo doesn’t require live video chats and users can participate in video chat groups. Record a video message when you can, send it to your loved ones, and they can view and respond when they have time. This app solves the timezone issue and still gives you personal interaction with your friends and family.
Photo Sharing
Staying in touch can look like sharing little parts of your day, which is easily accomplished by sending a picture. While you can use the instant messaging apps we outlined for this purpose, we really recommend Snapchat because it’s quick, easy, and fun to use. In a matter of seconds you can snap a picture, tag your location, add some personal flair, and send it off. Whether you’re updating your family with a selfie or sharing a sunset with your friends, using Snapchat gives others quick peeks into your life that can make you feel more connected.
Another way to involve the people you care about in your life abroad is sending them items in the mail. Letters, postcards, and small packages are meaningful interactions that also function as keepsakes. Sending a personalized post card doesn’t require much time or money, but means a lot to the recipient! Old-fashioned though it may be, snail mail can still be a good way to keep in touch.
Social Media
Social media can be a great tool to keep your loved ones in the loop. Regularly updating Facebook, making posts on Instagram, crafting Twitter content, or even creating your own blog and YouTube channel are all awesome ways to document your time abroad and share the goings-on in your life with others. Share posts intentionally and use these free social media platforms to your advantage!
Starting a new life abroad doesn’t mean losing out on the relationships you created in your home country. Which method of communication will you try out? Let us know in a comment!
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