Emotional challenges when working abroad

When the time comes to move to another country for the first time, there are a lot of things to consider. On one hand, there's the excitement and passion of discovering a new city, but at the same time, you might face doubts and challenges that you'll gradually overcome.

 

We've gathered the experiences of our co-living community members who've embarked on their journeys as digital nomads, and we want to share with you the emotional hurdles they've encountered and how they've dealt with them.

 

Dealing with Uncertainty

This is the first challenge that many of our co-livers have brought up. It starts before the journey itself, as you begin to think about what will happen when you arrive.

 

Often, questions arise about how well you'll adapt to your new destination, where you'll live, and whether you'll make new friends easily. In our co-living spaces, the common response to this uncertainty is to gather as much information as possible about the country or city before you travel and let yourself embrace the experience. Most of the time, our worries don't materialize since they're primarily in our heads. Venturing to experience it for yourself helps overcome the fear of the unknown.

 

Missing Home

It's quite common that when you arrive at your new destination, you'll start missing your family and friends, especially during the initial weeks of adjustment. Those who've felt this way in our co-living community recommend a few things to make it easier. First, make the most of technology to stay connected with your loved ones, allowing you to share your experiences and stay in touch.

 

Engaging in activities and getting to know new people will also help with homesickness. Barcelona is an open and vibrant city where you'll find numerous activities and communities to join.

 

Emotional Rollercoaster

Experiencing various moods throughout the day is quite typical when adapting to a new country. On one hand, you'll be filled with excitement as you explore a new place and its culture. New experiences often bring happiness and intensity. On the other hand, you might also feel emotions like nostalgia, fear, or loneliness.

 

This fluctuation is part of the process during the first days of adjusting to your new home.

Loneliness

If you're traveling alone, you might experience feelings of loneliness, particularly if you feel like you lack a support system in your new city. We recommend participating in activities and finding places to meet new people to build a new support network. Our co-livers have found that joining the Viu community has been helpful in creating a network with like-minded people who share your interests and concerns. 

 

If you're coming to Barcelona and want to be a part of the Viu community, you can find all the information about our co-living and co-working options here.