Staying Connected While Living Abroad

Moving abroad as an expat, international student or a global professional is exciting. However, you may experience homesickness or disconnection from loved ones, especially when you first move. Maintaining strong ties with your home country, friends and family can alleviate these feelings and ease the relocation transition. 

This guide explores how to stay in touch with friends and family while living abroad. Discover tips for maintaining communication and celebrating important moments while overseas, enriching your international adventure. 

Leveraging Technology to Bridge the Distance

Technology has made communicating long distance more convenient. Use these methods to update loved ones on life abroad. 

Staying in Touch via Video Calls

Video calls present a great opportunity to see your loved one’s faces while catching up on what’s new. You can make video calls through communication platforms, such as Skype, WhatsApp and FaceTime. 

Navigating time differences is one of the biggest dilemmas of keeping in touch while living abroad. Consider each person’s time zone when scheduling calls, ensuring you aren’t calling too late or disrupting their routine. Use video calls for activities you can’t do via text or phone call, such as giving virtual tours of your living space or planning long-distance game nights.

Sharing Your Life Through Social Media

Posting on social media can help update friends and family on your adventures and activities abroad. Instagram is ideal for sharing photos and reels, while Facebook is useful for posting statuses about recent accomplishments or links to your travel blog. 

Most social media platforms also offer direct messaging, enabling loved ones who don’t have your number or a phone plan that allows international communication to contact you. If you want to limit who can see your posts, consider making your profile private or creating a members-only Facebook group. 

Keeping the Personal Touch

Nothing beats the personal touch traditional mail offers. Discover unique ways to show loved ones you care. 

Sending Handwritten Notes and Postcards

Send your loved ones handwritten letters documenting your experiences or postcards of interesting places you’ve visited. You can also mail friends or family souvenirs with heartfelt messages explaining how those particular items made you think of them. 

Physical letters and gifts carry sentimental value that digital communication can’t quite match. They show a higher level of commitment to staying connected with life back home.  

Exchanging Care Packages

If you’re deciding how to keep in touch with family and friends, consider exchanging care packages. This enables your loved ones to send meaningful items from home and allows you to share cultural artifacts from your new country. 

However, some countries restrict mailing certain items, such as perishable foods, alcoholic beverages and plants. Check international mail regulations for your country and your loved one’s country before creating your care package. Safe items to consider include:

• Books
• Nonperishable snacks sealed, labeled and stored in original packaging
• Clothing or socks
• Candles
• Artwork
• Souvenirs, such as mugs or keychains

Bridging the Cultural Divide

Moving to a different country involves learning about a new culture with customs and traditions you and your loved ones may be unfamiliar with. Embrace new and old traditions to bridge the cultural divide. 

Introducing Your Host Country

Introduce your family to local cuisine, traditions and activities you’ve enjoyed in your host country. Send pictures or website links via text or social media to supply more information. You can also create and share virtual tours of significant places or videos of you participating in cultural events. 

If possible, invite your family and friends to visit your host country. An in-person visit can help them experience your new life firsthand, creating fond memories you can cherish.

Celebrating Milestones and Holidays

When holidays or special occasions roll around, your homesickness may escalate. But living abroad doesn’t mean you can’t partake in festivities back home. You can mail cards or gifts and schedule a video call with your loved ones on special days to celebrate virtually. 

If you have the means, consider traveling back home or inviting your family to visit you for an in-person gathering. Decorating your living space or preparing your favorite holiday recipes can help you stay connected with certain family traditions. You could also send pictures or videos of what you make to show relatives you’re thinking of them during this special time. 

Scheduling In-Person Reunions

While technology and mail help you stay connected with loved ones, they can’t replace in-person visits. Explore tips on planning reunions. 

Planning Visits Back Home

If you’re worried about keeping your friends when you move away, make an effort to organize trips back home. Consider these tips when making international travel plans:

• Coordinate travel dates according to your loved ones’ schedules.
• Book flights and any necessary accommodations early.
• Budget for meals, activities, transportation and gifts or souvenirs.
• Gather relevant travel documents, such as a valid passport, a visa or health-related forms.
• Create a detailed itinerary of friends and family to visit and activities or events to attend.

Hosting Loved Ones in Your New Home

You can also host your loved ones for a family reunion or a fun international vacation. If you have space to accommodate visitors, prepare your guest room or convert your living room into a sleeping area. Consider creating a welcome package with cozy items or snacks your guests might enjoy. 

Once your family arrives, give them a tour of your home and neighborhood. If it’s your loved ones’ first time visiting that country, they may not know about certain cultural norms, etiquette and activities. Offer resources or give advice on how to navigate these elements to instill a sense of belonging and familiarity. This can make the trip more fun, stress-free and comfortable for everyone. 

Maintain Strong Connections With Loved Ones While Living Abroad

Keeping in touch with loved ones while living abroad doesn’t have to be difficult. Technology, such as video calls and social media platforms, has made communicating overseas easier than ever. 

For a more personalized touch, mail handwritten letters, postcards or care packages to show your friends and family you’re thinking of them. If these strategies don’t fully alleviate your homesickness, try planning in-person reunions, giving yourself something to look forward to. 

At Atlas International, we want your global move to be as seamless as possible. We offer comprehensive international relocation services to support expats, international students and global professionals through their overseas journeys. Contact us today for a free quote to see how our moving and relocation services can assist you every step of the way.