Immigrating from Abroad? How to Connect With Your New Community in the U.S.

Relocating to another country is exciting as well as challenging. Because of language and cultural barriers, many immigrants find it difficult to communicate with the people around them and make meaningful connections in their new communities. 

It’s no different in the United States. This country has much to offer newcomers, but it has so many different cultures and subcultures that it can take a little while to adjust. 

So, how do you adjust to your new life in the U.S. and connect with your community without losing contact with folks back home? Michael Thal has provided a few practical tips to help you along your journey: 

Find Ways to Support Loved Ones             

First of all, if you have friends and relatives living back home, make sure you maintain those relationships as best you can. Write letters or emails to the most important people in your life. Take advantage of social media, even if it’s just to keep tabs on those back home and what is going on in their lives. If you want to go the extra mile, put together a care package of items your loved ones would appreciate.

Another way to support those back home is to send them money after you have settled in and are financially stable. There are several ways to send money back home, but one of the most secure and easiest methods is to use a reliable transfer service. For example, remittance service such as those offered by Remitly will let you transfer funds to places like Nepal reliably, safely, and quickly. And you will likely pay low fees if any at all.

Study the Cultural Essentials

Any time you move to a different country, you will meet a new set of norms and customs. The U.S. may be quite different than what you are used to. The key is to learn about American culture so that you can adjust. 

For example, tips at restaurants and bars are not included in the bill. But servers rely on tips for their income; most people leave 15-20% of the bill’s total as a tip. Also, Americans generally value personal space more than people in other cultures, so try to stand at least two feet from strangers. And know that small talk is common and considered polite, and most people in the U.S. speak only English.

Look for Fun Activities      

To settle into your new community, look for activities you will enjoy. It could be an activity you engaged in back in Nepal or something different. The key is to add something fun to your routine. 

Maybe you could take an exercise class at a local gym or try your hand at a cooking class. Perhaps you could volunteer for a local charity or start playing a recreational sport. Along with giving you something to look forward to, finding activities can allow you to make social connections with like-minded people.

Take an English Class

The easiest way to adjust to American life is to master English. There are English as a Second Language (ESL) classes available to adults at community centers or colleges where you live. But many apps can help you quickly learnEnglish.

Be Outgoing      

Moving to another country is an act that requires stepping out of your comfort zone. But if you want to connect with your community, you will need to step out a little further. 

Rather than being shy, be intentional about starting conversations with people and inviting them to hang out. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it, whether it’s directions to a grocery store, how to read the signage on a business, or anything else.

You have a thrilling and challenging journey ahead of you as you move to the U.S. You can make the most of it by studying American culture, finding fun activities to engage in, and learning the English language. Remember to be outgoing as you settle into your new community and determine how you can best support loved ones back home.

About the Columnist

This is Penny Martin’s fifth blog post on Pop’s Blog. She’s a huge advocate for rescue dogs. Her goal is to inform people of what to expect and how to react to their dog so that the relationship always retains love. She created fureverfriend.info to help new owners prepare themselves for new furry friends.