SUCCESSFUL SOCIAL INTEGRATION WHEN GOING ABROAD

By Karin Brünnemann, Co-Moderator

When sending you abroad, your company usually offers some preparation in terms of language courses, intercultural training or general knowledge about the target region. Another important factor for making your stay abroad a success is building a social life for yourself, especially – but not only – when you plan to go abroad long-term, and without a trailing spouse/family. Just as you prepare the removal of your household goods, you should plan and prepare your new social life beforehand. Having been sent to five countries already, here are some tips I would like to share with you:

1. Get in touch with your future co-workers or co-students before you arrive. They surely have some advice for you, and almost certainly, they are willing to take you out and introduce you to some people who might become your friends.

2. Inform yourself about activities and clubs that you could join. This could be related to your favourite sports or any other pastime you like to engage in.

3. Use Xing. People are members of Xing because they want to maintain and extend their network, so they are usually open and welcoming. Search for groups in your target city/region, announce yourself to the group and ask for advice and social contacts. Some groups have regular get-togethers where you can actually meet people. It is also ok to directly approach specific people on Xing who live in your target city and have the same interest as you, as long as you are not obtrusive. Some of the people I got in touch with in that way are now amongst my best friends.

I found it rewarding to make friends with the locals instead of hanging out with other expats. The locals will help you learn the language and share their culture with you. And unlike other expats, they will stay and not go back to their country after six months.