介绍:
Five years ago this month, my new bride and I stepped off a China Eastern flight at Pudong International Airport in Shanghai and into our new lives.
We were exhausted from wrapping up our lives back in the US state of Florida, and at first felt like we had been dropped into a different dimension. It’s interesting to see other “newbies” go through some of the things we did.
I can say without hesitation that moving to China has turned out to have been a very good decision. We have changed and grown as people and experienced some wonderful things. But life abroad is not for everybody, whether you’re a Floridian living in Beijing or a Beijinger living in Florida. For those considering such a move, I can offer a few words of advice:
1. Do lots of research, and visit first if possible. This is especially true if you’ve never lived abroad before. After your move, keep learning. Ask local folks about things you shouldn’t do or places you shouldn’t go.
2. Simplify. Try to minimize what you leave in storage back home. Storing too much is an expensive mistake a lot of us have made. Bringing a few mementoes from home helps, but be very selective there, too.
3. If you work, don’t imagine your life abroad as a vacation. Sure, you get to do some amazing things, but work is still work, bills are still bills, and ask not for whom the alarm clock rings. It rings for thee.
4. Flexibility is a must. If you’re inflexible, stay home. Understand that “the way they do it back home” is not always the way the rest of the world does it. Stay loose. Listen. Learn. It will make you a better person.
5. Be respectful of your host country. You can show respect and remain genuine at the same time.
6. Diligently study your host country’s language, but give yourself a break, too. I know I’m much too much of a perfectionist and it hasn’t helped. Use your new language, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
7. Having fellow expat friends is fine, and longtime expats in your host country can help show you the ropes. But avoid the expat bubble. Open yourself to having contact with a variety of people abroad.
8. Expect ups and downs. Even if you’re having a frustrating day, it’s probably just temporary, and if you’ve done a good job choosing your host country, you’ll have many more good days than bad. People are pretty much the same everywhere, so if you run into a bad apple, back away and let it go.
9. Stay in contact with family and friends back home. Prepare all your communications technology before you leave.
10. Understand that the lives of those at home will continue without you. Roll with it. When back home, don’t talk too much about your adventures abroad. It can be boring.
Mostly, enjoy the precious time you have abroad, no matter how long it is.
移居国外应注意的十大要点
五年前的一个周五，我和新婚妻子搭乘中国东方航空公司的飞机降落在了上海浦东国际机场，开启了崭新的新生活。
彼时，我们为打包收拾，告别在美国佛罗里达州的旧时光而倍感疲惫。初到中国，我们觉得仿佛是掉进了一个截然不同的维度。而现在，看着那些初来乍到的“新手”重复自己的经历，我们感觉非常有趣。
我可以毫不犹豫地说，搬到中国是一个非常棒的选择。在这里，我们经历了改变，日渐成熟，还见识了一些有趣的事情。但是移居国外并不适合所有人，无论你是移居北京的佛罗里达人，还是移居佛罗里达的北京人。对于那些打算移居国外的人们，以下有些小小的建议供你们参考：
1. 事前进行充分调查，如果条件允许，则进行实地考察。如果你从未在国外居住过，那更应该重视这一条建议。搬过去之后，常怀学习之心。向当地人询问习俗和禁忌。
2. 凡事应简化。轻装上路，带上一个精巧昂贵的旅行套装以轻减行囊。行李过多是许多人常犯的错误。带上一些家乡的纪念品有利无害，但前提是要有选择性。
3. 如果打算在国外工作，那么不要把你国外的生活想象成度假。当然，你会接触许多有趣的事情，但工作就是工作，该付的账单还是要付，不要等到警钟敲响时才找人求助。
4. 一定要头脑灵活。如果你无法做到随机应变，那还是留在家乡吧。要明白“我们那儿大家都是这样的”并不总是等于世界上其他人也同样如此。要保持轻松愉快的心态，善于倾听，善于学习，这样你会变成一个更为出色的人。
5. 尊重你所要移居的国家。尊重别人和坚持自我并不相互矛盾。
6. 努力学习你东道国的语言，但也要劳逸结合。我知道自己太过追求完美主义，也明白这样毫无用处。多说多练你所学的新语言吧，不要害怕犯错。
7. 可以结交老外友人，而且所在国的一些长期移民更有利于帮助你融入当地环境，但注意不要将自己限制在移民圈中。保持开放的心态，广泛结交各种各样的国外人士。
8. 要明白人生有起有伏。即便当下的时光糟糕至极，但也很可能只是短暂的乌云。如果你选对了国家，那么精彩的日子将远远多于糟糕的日子。无论在哪里，人们总是相似的，如果你遇到了坏人，不要往心上去，退一步海阔天空。
9. 和家乡的亲朋好友保持联系。在出发前准备好所有的通讯手段。
10. 要明白家乡亲友的生活没了你依然会继续。顺其自然。返乡时，注意不要一而再再而三的谈论海外的奇闻异事，以免使人厌烦。
最重要的是，不论时间长短，好好享受海外生活的珍贵时光吧。
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