How to avoid being homesick

Portugal has become one of the trendy places for foreigners. Things are changing rapidly, and Portugal is rising as an emerging economy. Moving to Portugal might be the best decision that can change your life for good. Portugal has been getting significant buzz for the last few years due to economic revival and the increasing number of startups here.

Just like any other country, the lifestyle, culture, and social values are different here in Portugal from your motherland. Sudden immigration to Portugal is not going to be easy. Cultural shock is a reality and overcoming it is critical for you to survive and thrive in cities like Lisbon where cultural diversity is the new normal.

Spending a Year in Portugal

With renowned cuisines, historic cities, spectacular beaches, and emerging markets, Portugal has a lot to offer for foreigners who want to spend a year abroad or to move to Portugal permanently. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and living here is surely a fantastic change in life. You will experience the city life and be able to spend time at the sea or even taking surfing lessons after work. To make it less stressful, to move to another country we have gathered some information in this blog post about what to expect.

Cultural Shock?

We all have been raised in different regions and have been taught different concepts about life. Whether it is about conflict in the workplace or your sense of humor, cultural shock is going to impact your life abroad in some aspects. The manifestation of cultural shock is different for everyone. Here are the five stages of cultural shock that you might experience while working in Lisbon:

1. Fascinating or honeymoon stage
2. Frustrating stage
3. The Doable stage
4. The Enjoyable stage
5. The Longing stage

Dealing with cultural differences in Lisbon will take some time so you need to be patient during the first weeks of your stay in Portugal. With the right strategies and mindset, the impact of cultural shock can be mitigated. Here are some practical tips on how to overcome cultural shock in Lisbon:

The adjustment will take time

Being homesick is a normal thing because everything is new, and the first few days will make you feel exhausted. Eventually, you will settle but it will take some time. The good thing is, being at work and getting to know people will make it easier to adjust rapidly.

Focus on the positive

Lisbon is a beautiful city with countless growth opportunities for talented individuals. Stay here for a year and get to know life better, you are going to love the promising life in Lisbon. And if you are worried just keep in mind that you have the possibility to return home at any time.

Understand your expectations

Apart from lifestyle, the professional and academic systems are also different. It might be different to what you are used to from home. Realizing the change in every aspect of life can make the cultural shock easier to handle. It is best to set realistic expectations before making such an important decision as moving to another country, to avoid disappointment.

Accept the realities

Being homesick, missing your motherland, and being frustrated are normal at first when moving abroad. Stay connected with your loved ones and make connections here in Lisbon. The locals are friendly and welcoming so socializing can make the adjustment process smoother. Also, the work environment gives you many possibilities to connect with other people from over 84 countries. If you still worry about being homesick, you should read our post on what to do on a night out in Lisbon, because there is so much to discover, and you will probably be out and about most of your time.