At OffToCollege, we know that anytime you move to a new place, getting settled into your new community while staying connected with loved ones you left behind is an important, but sometimes difficult, balance to achieve.
When you’ve immigrated to the United States from India for school, this challenge can be intensified by culture shock and distance from family.
However, if you’re one of the approximately 1 million people who go through the multi-step process of immigrating to the U.S. each year, chances are you possess the strength and ingenuity to adjust to a new place and continue supporting loved ones no matter where they are in the world.
It also helps to take advantage of programs and services that benefit immigrants and local communities.
Check Out Local Community Groups
Beyond campus groups, organizations that exist in service to others can provide assistance if you need it, and they also offer opportunities to get to know neighbors and community leaders near you, to help others, and to feel more at home in a new place.
Public programming and participation can make a real difference in helping towns of any size welcome newcomers. One report shows that in two rural towns in Nebraska, growing populations of immigrants live harmoniously in their communities, thanks in part to school programs that engage both kids and parents.
Connecting with your new community through volunteering and community activities is a meaningful service, and it can benefit you personally in many ways, as well.
Share Meals
Food is something that everybody needs; it crosses national borders and dwells freely all over the world. The movement and sharing of food are closely linked with immigration, both today and historically.
One way to stay in touch with your own upbringing and heritage while also connecting with classmates from different backgrounds is to cook and share meals that you cherish. This could be as simple as making a simple dish and dropping it off as a way to say hello to someone next door, or as involved as throwing a global potluck.
Whichever country you were born in, it’s almost certain that American food has been affected by your nation’s cuisine — this is a premade connection between immigrants and U.S.-born citizens. Everybody eats! And the fact is, Indian cuisine is one of America’s favorites.
other related articles of interest:
Helping Others While Helping Yourself
4 Obstacles Foreign Language Speakers Face When Applying to American Colleges
Keep Supporting Loved Ones
Sending financial support to relatives in other countries is a widespread practice, and in some countries, money sent by individuals working abroad makes up nearly a third of the nation’s gross domestic product.
If you’ve been working to help support family back home and need to send funds, finding a reliable transfer service is definitely worthwhile — the right service can benefit you in several ways whether you use it every month or only for special occasions or emergencies:
- Security you and your family can count on when sending and receiving money
- Short wait times — as little as four hours through a service like Remitly
- Low transfer rates and minimal fees — zero fees for transfers of over $1,000 to India
Moving to the U.S. as a student is a massive life change, but it doesn’t make your relationship with family members any less important. These tips should help you maintain connections with those you love anywhere in the world while living life to the fullest yourself.
Image Credit: by unsplash.com
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