How do you keep in touch with family living back home, and how often. This is my first time living abroad and although I have kept in touch with certain members of my close family due to the time difference I have found that some member of my family it is quite hard.
2007-06-21 15:32:17 · 6 answers · asked by Petra 5 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
The time difference can really wreck havoc with keeping in touch. This is what I did while being on an expat assignment in China.
1. Get Skype (free computer to computer communication service www.skype.com) and get a cam and invite your family members to do the same (other services for computer to land phones available at minimal cost for those non computer savvy friends)
2. I sent out emails to my friends and family. I told in a humorous manner about my everyday life, the culture and my travel experiences. Adding a few pictures added a nice touch. Writing made me see my sometimes difficult situation in a much lighter tone. It also kept everyone in the loop of my activities and no one felt left out. My emails were the talk of the town when they all got together.
3. To keep your sanity (family and friends will not always be there for you) find the expat community in your area. Even one friend in the same situation becomes a life saver.
Good luck in your new adventure.
2007-06-21 15:42:26 · answer #1 · answered by lily 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hiya. I have just moved from UK to USA. Yeah it is pretty hard to keep in touch sometimes. I just recently started a skpe account so I can talk for free with them, usually this is at weekends so everyone is off work and available.
Also I got a pay as you talk phone so that i can send text messages to the UK even when we are out and about. That way it doent matter what time it is, same with emails.
Just keep in touch when you can, soon you will make new friends and open up a social circle here, but yes it's not the same.
2007-06-21 15:39:00 · answer #2 · answered by Chocolate Bunny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest that you call every week. I always enjoyed getting a letter from my family so I wrote them quite often. This was before the internet. There is just something about having that piece of paper or card in your hands and being able to read and reread it when you wish. The first couple of months are the most difficult so keep busy. Don't be surprised when you return to your family and they seem different. You will be also. It is just part of maturing. Enjoy...
2007-06-21 16:26:52 · answer #3 · answered by In the Kitchen with Dinah 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son & his family live in Europe, we live in US. We get frequent emails & pics and can watch our grandson grow. Our son sends these emails to all relatives, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and his close friends from here. We also talk on phone once per week.. We know each other's time schedules. I work 2nd shift and am just getting home when they are waking up. We have stayed pretty close. But it's hard not to be able to hug them.
2007-06-21 15:41:24 · answer #4 · answered by old beatnik 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I use email, and am in weekly contact with family and friends who are important to me. You will find out soon who is really important to you and who isn't.
2007-06-21 15:37:03 · answer #5 · answered by arlene k 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
emails, texts, send them photos of yourself, occasional post cards, sometimes snail mail is appreciated...hand written notes are nice to get.
2007-06-21 15:36:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋