Congratulations, you're now on the cusp of sailing towards new horizons, embarking on a new personal and professional life, with all the administrative and logistical details of your expatriation sorted... But it's also crucial to prepare yourself psychologically for the departure to avoid stress, bouts of melancholy, and acute homesickness !
Connect with a francophone community
While the essence of expatriation lies in discovering new cultures, finding comfort in knowing fellow countrymen reside in your new city can be reassuring. There's likely a French community full of expatriates ready to offer advice and help you adjust locally :
- Union of French Nationals Abroad
- International Federation of French and Francophone Welcome Services Abroad
- The French Nationals Abroad House
Keep in touch with your homeland
The internet remains your constant link to your home country. Consider setting up a generic email account with providers like Yahoo! or Gmail, accessible globally on any connected device, ensuring you're always in touch with loved ones at any moment.
Also, connect with French news websites such as TV5, France 2, or France Info. Thanks to replays and live TV on French channels' websites, you can continue enjoying your favorite series or shows in your native language ! For phone calls, services like Expat Telecom or CheapCalls can connect you with anyone worldwide at very low rates.
Embrace your host country's culture
Be wary of completely refusing to immerse yourself, as staying within a French expatriate bubble could hinder your integration and new life.
Go out, explore the local population, be eager to learn their customs, language, culinary arts, and architecture. This will help you better understand your new environment and integrate quickly.
If homesickness persists and it's feasible, the most effective remedy remains: catching the first flight back for a refreshing visit to your family and your life before departure.
