Guest post from Tina ( http://tinatangos.com/blog/) on what its like to be an Expat :)

So we have a wonderful guest post by my girl Tina (Tina Tangos ) ..she'as on my blog list.. on what its REALLY like being an expat...

When the Dust Settles Down



Your first few months as an expat are exciting: you're getting to know your new surroundings, enjoying the language, discovering new foods and feeling very proud of yourself (as you should). It's hard to feel even an ounce of homesickness because everything is so new. You're in love.



Then you become a resident, and life becomes mundane. And this is good! It means you’re on your way to becoming a part of society.



But you know what? It’s hard. It’s boring. And it takes time to make friends so there are lonely nights.



Here are some things I’ve learned in my personal experience for how to deal when the dust settles.



Don’t go back home. I’ve met many an expat, both in Italy and in Argentina, who give up pretty quickly as soon as they start to feel homesick. I’ve had that temptation as well and it’s perfectly understandable. But look at it this way: you’re almost at the summit of the mountain, so just keep going. Feel free to stop to take a break, but you’re almost there. Do you really want to quit after getting so far?



Be patient with yourself. Everything doesn’t come together in the blink of an eye here in Italy. Yes, you had a life – a very full one – back in your home country, but think about it. You had lived there at least for several years, if not your whole life. Once you move to a new city or country, you realize just how much is involved in building a life that you once took for granted. It takes time.



Make friends with other expats. I love my Italian friends. I really do. They have been instrumental in getting me settled here, and really it doesn’t matter where someone is from; if we have a connection, I'm happy. But gosh, there are some things that a local would never understand. Sometimes you have to get your information or moral support from people who have been in your shoes and walked the same road as a foreigner. It takes the edge off in a big way.



What are your methods for dealing with the post-honeymoon phase?



Tina Ferrari is a translator, writer and tango dancer based in Umbria. She can be found at her own blog, Tina Tangos as well as AffordableCallingCards.net. **If you're an expat blogger in Italy, stop by and enter the Blogging from the Boot contest! There’s still time!**






Tina Tangos



AffordableCallingCards.net



Blogging from the Boot

Tina :)