I wanted to pick up on a forum topic that was started in Expat Exchange and continue suggestions for the newcomer
I too am a newcomer (by 3 months) and despite all the research I did prior to coming to Nicaragua, nothing prepared me to understand the impact of my decision. Being here quickly taught me “how it is”.
Marilyn’s (my roommate) expectation was “to be happy here.” My only expectation was to be free of living on a budget that was too small for ‘comfortable’ US living and find a way to ‘live’ … not just exist. I was too nervous / scared about moving to another country (with no Spanish speaking skills) to think beyond that goal. I saw Nicaragua as an “opportunity” to ‘live’.
CHALLENGE: letting go. Let go of the ‘standard’ that you are used to in your country of origin and embracing the different. SUGGESTION(S): (1) decide that what you are used to in your country of origin does not exist in the new country. If you discover similarities, that’s great! Just don’t expect it to be the same. (2) avoid comparing your new country to your country of origin. (3) accept that the way of doing things in your new country as the norm, not the exception. (4) learn to ‘go with the flow’. Learn to shrug your shoulders and ‘relax’. What’s the big deal anyway?! Patience is hard-won but a necessity when creating a new life for yourself. (5) Gently remind yourself that this was your decision to move and to experience a new way to live and it doesn’t come with an instruction manual. So, you learn by doing / experiencing and move on to the next adventure, with no expectations and with an open mind. Repeat: OPEN mind. I think ‘open mind’ is more challenging than patience … for what it’s worth.
I hope this will invite other expats to write their ideas of “challenges and suggestions” to keep this thread going for all those new expats out there that are looking / searching for information / help.
I too am a newcomer (by 3 months) and despite all the research I did prior to coming to Nicaragua, nothing prepared me to understand the impact of my decision. Being here quickly taught me “how it is”.
Marilyn’s (my roommate) expectation was “to be happy here.” My only expectation was to be free of living on a budget that was too small for ‘comfortable’ US living and find a way to ‘live’ … not just exist. I was too nervous / scared about moving to another country (with no Spanish speaking skills) to think beyond that goal. I saw Nicaragua as an “opportunity” to ‘live’.
CHALLENGE: letting go. Let go of the ‘standard’ that you are used to in your country of origin and embracing the different. SUGGESTION(S): (1) decide that what you are used to in your country of origin does not exist in the new country. If you discover similarities, that’s great! Just don’t expect it to be the same. (2) avoid comparing your new country to your country of origin. (3) accept that the way of doing things in your new country as the norm, not the exception. (4) learn to ‘go with the flow’. Learn to shrug your shoulders and ‘relax’. What’s the big deal anyway?! Patience is hard-won but a necessity when creating a new life for yourself. (5) Gently remind yourself that this was your decision to move and to experience a new way to live and it doesn’t come with an instruction manual. So, you learn by doing / experiencing and move on to the next adventure, with no expectations and with an open mind. Repeat: OPEN mind. I think ‘open mind’ is more challenging than patience … for what it’s worth.
I hope this will invite other expats to write their ideas of “challenges and suggestions” to keep this thread going for all those new expats out there that are looking / searching for information / help.
