Has anyone ever moved to another country?

Question

I'm planning on moving from the U.S. to the UK (not sure which part yet, England or Scotland.)

How hard was it? Do you regret it? Do you miss home? How did your family take it? Etc etc.

Answer 1

I moved from the US to Canada.
All of my family lives in the US, parents, kids, grandkids, and I do miss them all, though I am fortunate to be able to visit every few months.

My parents didn't want me to move so far away, but they are coping with it (they are elderly). My kids are glad that I am happy, though I think sometimes they wish I lived closer.

Even though the US and Canada are similar in ways, there are a lot more differences than people tend to realize. Also, where I live now is very culturally diverse, which is great, but I have a hearing problem, and trying to translate what ESL speakers say can be difficult, and most anywhere I go, shopping, restuarants, etc, it is non-native english speakers.

Sometimes I just miss the familiar things, but as time goes on, it happens far less. I love Canada, it is beautiful, serene, and feels "cleaner" to me. If anything ever happens to my husband (whom I moved here for) I will have a tough choice deciding whether to move back or stay.

I would highly recommend the experience! You can alway smove back if you decide to, but you will always have the benefits of the experience!

Answer 2

Yes, several times. It didn't get easier, just that I learnt how to cope.

Your first one to six months, you'll be in culture shock. You'll keep comparing the new and the old. You may feel depressed. Miss your old country and ways. If you can survive these first few months, you'll do OK and gradually start adjusting and adapting. Don't give in to the great desire to forget it and return home--a feeling you'll get after a couple of months. After six months or so, if you then returned to the US you would again experience culture shock--in reverse.

There are many different kinds of culture shock. There are many things you'll miss, but they'll gradually fade away, and only occasionally will you get really nostalgic about "home". There's physical culture shock--just the difference in the way things are laid out physically and how you have to adjust your walking and physical habits. There are also psychological, linguistic, intellectual, cultural shocks. And the gestures will be different. The beer will be different. The idioms will be different. At times you'll feel like an alien in an alien land, far, far from home, and no direction home.

I find that what I miss most of all after a while are some little things, like a hot pastrami on rye with a half sour, long showers, and the newspaper.

Answer 3

I moved with my family from the UK to Canada, plus I had relatives here but it is tough.
We have been in Canada for nearly 32 years and I don't regret it
although there are still things British I miss.
I was back in the UK for a month earlier this year ('06) and I found the drivers there idiotic in the way they drive and the roads are very very busy, don't forget the Brits drive one the other side of the
road which can cause some real problems if you intend driving over there.
Marty

Answer 4

LOL I moved the other way around tho...........my husband said it was just too cold for him, and o be honest he is probably right if I am being really fair.

It was very hard at first leaving my home, job country everything behind BUT after much soul searching we all knew for us this was the best thing to do, I do miss my mum and dad BUT they get here as much as possible [lucky they can afford to come over more or less when they want to] my parents wished us all their love and luck, they knew it was right for us.

I miss home a little bit some times but I REALLY miss certain food items from there, personally would not do it if it had not been for my husband so I hope you have a good support system else you will find it very lonely and you need to decide on exactly where you want to be and try to find a yahoo group for that area

GOT to ask why do you want to move so much?

Answer 5

I moved from the US to Canada...But I was moving in with my boyfriend so at least I knew him and his family...The hardest part is waiting for the VISA department to process all of your information so you can live and work legally.....Just talk with your countries cousel in the U.S. and they will send you the info or you can go to the U.S. governments website on Immigration and get the forms you need printed out to fill out and send in....At least that will give you a head start!

ANd, a word of advice: Make sure the reason you are moving is STRONG enough that you will not have any reasons to look back and regret it!

Answer 6

I lived in the Dominican Republic for a year. It was an amazing experience, and I don't regret a bit of it. I learned so much and had so many experiences that jelped shpe me into the person I am today. My family and I went together, and yes, I did miss home. I was pretty young, so it wasn't too hard though.

Answer 7

I live both in germany and the US. you miss a lot of things when you are in a different country for a longer period of time. especially when it comes to food (for me). but you figure out ways to compensate most of the things that you don't have anymore. Be careful moving to the UK. People are less friendly there (no offense, but its a fact). you will definitely have days, even weeks when you are 'homesick'. it'll pass by, be strong. support your family. but kids usually don't have as much trouble with adjusting.

Answer 8

i moved from UK to USA
it was realy realy hard
i missed home and i even missed the people i didnt like so much
it was realy hard for my family
but now im planning to go back

Answer 9

think about this one very carefully. i am now paying the price for coming to live and make my life in the states 26 years ago. when your parents get near death and you feel torn as you feel that you should be with them but your other family IE kids and grand kids are here plus bills and a job of course. so you see it does catch up with you in the end.

Answer 10

I moved to U.S. from Canada in 95...I miss home soooo bad...
If I could turn back the hands of time...