Sorry for length of this post, it is part of an article and I cut some out but didn't want to take out the useful stuff..hope it helps Louise
1.Celebrate your Achievement
Be sure to take time to realise how much you have achieved. Celebrate your success! With the friends and contacts you have made along the way, celebrate with people who understand and are happy you have achieved your dream. In this time, remember all the reasons you wanted to move, what you will gain, how life will be better, what improvements you are moving towards. Write them down, keep the list to refer to.
2.Be Prepared for More Hard Work
You thought the getting here was tough, the next few months will bring a new set of challenges equally as tough if not harder. Things you did not anticipate or imagine will raise issues and frustrations. The good news is the more prepared you are it, the easier it will be. Things you were not even aware of you knew about from ’home’; getting the ingredients for gravy, how your mail is delivered to your house, what to do with garbage, what to write where on a cheque. Small details, when you are already outside the comfort zone can seem overwhelming. Having to ask someone how to do normal everyday tasks, can leave you feeling obligated and silly.
3.Set yourself daily targets
There will be a growing list to things to do as you begin settling in. Remember tasks may take longer than they did, as you need time to find out how to do them as well as actually getting things done, set yourself realistic targets of what you want to achieve each day. As you check them off, focus on your achievements, how much more you can do, rather than what you still have to do. Break large tasks down into manageable chunks, that way you can deal with each chunk one at a time, its less daunting that way. Also make time to do something enjoyable each day to reward yourself, and remind yourself why you came.
4. Volunteer
People walking along the street are not going to somehow miraculously sense you are new to the area and don’t’ know anyone, they are not going to come knocking at your door. You have to get out and meet them. Offering to volunteer at a local charity, community event, hospital, school whatever, is a great way to meet people, get work experience, learn about local communities and maybe learn new skills. Volunteers tend to be friendly, outgoing welcoming groups of people who are grateful to those willing to lend a hand. Its surprising what you can learn about your new country from casual conversations, what opportunities you can create for yourself whilst helping others too.
5.Get to know the community
Learn about what’s going on, pick up the local paper, read flyers, free publications, even if they are not what you normally read, get a feel for what’s important to local people. You can use your new topical knowledge to strike up conversations, get a ‘feel’ for the local neighbourhood. Is this somewhere you want to settle? What opportunities for activities are there? What do you want to get involved with? Study notice boards, at the library, supermarkets, you will learns lots of little tip bits from what is posted there. Go along to community events, create as many opportunities to meet people and become comfortable in the community. You will meet people every time, not all will become long term friendships but you will be building the foundations and it is amazing what chance encounters can produce.
6.Get Out and About
Go for a walk, or get in the car and take a drive around the neighbourhood. Become familiar with your surroundings, get to know the short cuts, know what shops are good for what. It will make life easier, help you feel more secure, and expand your comfort zone more quickly. Get maps, or follow your nose whatever works for you, make it into an adventure. Enjoy looking at the different styles of houses, the architecture and all the things that made you fall in love with this new place. It will be useful for noting areas you like, good locations near parks, schools when you are looking to move, buy or rent. You will get a sense of where you are within the immediate area, get your bearings and when you return home you will feel more like you are in familiar surroundings. Expand your horizons, expand your comfort zone, it will soon feel like home.