When it comes to good mental health, social support is one of the most important tools out there. For immigrants new to the United States, however, sustaining a healthy social network can be very challenging. Not only are they working to maintain bonds with loved ones far away, but they’re also learning how to acclimate in their new community.
As a way to help new immigrants assimilate while also staying connected to loved ones, Compendent shares some tips and advice immigrants can use to build the support network they deserve. Here’s a look at some ways to sustain relationships both near and far.
Connecting Back Home
Even if you find a community in your new country right away, it may still take a while for you to really feel like a part of that social network. During this time, the bonds you have with people back home can help combat loneliness and remind you of how much you have to offer. Moreover, establishing strong communication practices from the start can prevent those bonds from weakening once you have fully settled in in your new country.
Regular phone calls, video chats, and text messages can help you stay in touch with people no matter where they are. Whether it’s a daily conversation or several times a week, make an appointment to talk with family members so you can keep close ties and still feel involved in their lives.
Our ability to connect digitally also provides the means to lend financial support to loved ones back home. To expedite this process, you can use a remittance service to send funds. If you’ve never used a transfer service before, find a platform that offers security, reliability, and the option to send money anywhere in the world. Platforms like Remitly, for example, make it easy to send funds to countries such as the Philippines. Best of all, Remitly offers competitive exchange rates, transfer speeds that range from four hours to five business days, and a set cost of $3.99 per transfer under $1,000. Showing your support financially gives your loved ones back home a clear and actionable sign that you’re still thinking of them.
Finding a Community
There are several effective approaches you can take to make friends in your new country. For example, you can look into joining a faith community. Classes, community events, and work outings are other great ways to get involved, get to know people, and get a sense of your new environment.
However, the simple act of showing up isn’t always enough to foster strong bonds. If you’re looking for a support network to rely on, the best technique is to ask for and offer help. Working together to achieve a common goal – even if it’s something as simple as hanging up a painting or tending to a garden – can help ingratiate you to others quickly. Community depends on a mutual willingness to help and be helped, so this is a fantastic way to build the bonds you’ll need to feel at home here in the United States.
Connecting With Your Immediate Family
Finally, if you immigrated with loved ones, don’t forget to nurture the bonds with them as well. It’s easy to take the people who live with you for granted, but you’ve all undergone a major transition, and this can lead to serious tension. This is especially true when it comes to especially close bonds, such as those between siblings or parents and children.
That’s why it’s important to build some quality family time into your schedule. Consider enjoying an outing together to a museum, zoo, or other attraction in your new city. You’ll have the chance to do something fun and enriching together while also getting a better sense of your surroundings.
Major transitions like moving to a new country can take a serious toll on your well-being. However, a strong support network both near and far can make this process much easier. We hope this article gives you the resources you need to thrive in your new environment.
