What are some ways to stay in touch with friends and family back home when living abroad? It is not always easy to find the time for a chat, but there are many other options.
Communicate via Video Calls
Video calling is one of the best ways to communicate because it allows you to see your loved ones in real-time. Video calls are also much better than phone conversations. They allow you to hear everything clearly and make sure that there aren’t any misunderstandings about anything said over the telephone line.
Video calls are also much more convenient than traditional phone conversations because you can do them anywhere. Whether it’s on your laptop, tablet or smartphone, video calling is available to users of all devices and platforms. There isn’t any difference between making a call via Skype, Messenger or Facetime; the only real difference comes down to what device you want to use for that specific conversation.
Go on Virtual Dates With Friends
If you live abroad, one of the biggest challenges is missing out on important events with your friends and family back home. In addition, these times can be challenging if you’re dating someone who lives at home because they won’t be able to join you for holidays or special occasions that will take place during this time.
If that’s the case, then there are several different ways to keep in touch with them so they won’t feel left out. One way is to set up video chats where everyone can join. Since your partner can participate, it’s almost the same as sitting next to each other instead of thousands of miles away.
You can take turns visiting each other’s houses through Google Hangouts, where you can show the other person your house, ask questions about their day and catch up. And you’re not limited to Google Hangouts—join in on Skype dates or visit each other through Facebook video chat.
Send Your Parents Money and Gifts
You can send your parents money and gifts by using a remittance company. Doing this allows you to remain in touch with your parents and ensure they have what they need.
To choose a remittance company, consider the fees associated with each company and how long it will take for them to receive their money. You should send gifts or cash regularly so that your parents know that you are thinking about them. Remember, if you want to send money to a specific region, different fees will apply.
Chat on Social Media
Social media is the easiest way to connect with people who are back at home. It gives you a chance to share life experiences, check in on friends and family, see what’s going on around them. Then there are benefits for your friends and family back home too!
They get notified whenever something happens, or you post new content. By doing this, it’s like you never left home in the first place. You can continue having conversations as before, and it’s easy to communicate with people on social media.
Send Postcards When You Can
Postcards are a great, easy way to stay in touch with friends and family back at home. They’re cheap, small enough to fit into your bag or jacket pocket easily, and you can find them almost everywhere once you arrive.
If you want to get creative, make your postcard. It can be a handwritten note on any piece of paper or whatever photo you’ve taken that day and slapped onto the card back with some double-sided tape – whatever brings happiness! Just don’t forget to include where you’re from in the corner, so it gets sent back to you.
Start a Blog
It is a great way to share your journey with friends and family. Not only can they read about what you are doing, but if there are any questions or concerns, it allows them to contact you directly without waiting for an email response from someone else.
You may want to have one blog just for those back home so that they can get all of the information they need. You can also use your blog to chronicle the things you have been doing, places you have visited, and the people you have met.
It is an excellent tool for those back home because they can follow along with what has been going on in your life without having to wait until someone sends them an email or posts a picture from their phone.
See Each Other at Least Once a Year
When you live abroad, you should stay in touch with your loved ones back home. You can do this if they know when and where to see each other at least once a year! If this happens yearly, there’s no doubt that time will pass without noticing anything.
That’s why it is so important to plan and choose an annual meeting point where everybody can go. Doing this will help you avoid missing out on each other during the rest of the year, especially if time zones are not in your favour!
Also, it might be a good idea for some people to have more than one meet up place or day of the year, depending on how far away they are from each other.
Create Social Groups
Embrace your new local communities. It is crucial to find a group of people that you can connect with and call friends. If you are not able to find a group of people that share your interests, create one!
There are many Facebook groups where you can connect with other ex-pats in the same situation as yourself. These also allow you to expand your network and meet new friends outside of just your local community.
Reassure Your Family You Love Them
Even if you live overseas, it is essential to reassure your family that you love them. While social media can be a great way of keeping in touch with friends and family while abroad, nothing beats the feeling of communicating directly through talking or video calling.
Before moving overseas, there should always be plans to contact family and friends back home; this could be through weekly communication or simply staying in touch with email and social media updates.
Although it might seem like there is too much to handle when moving abroad, communication will always remain paramount if you want to stay close with those who are essential back at home.
Conclusion
There are many reasons to consider living abroad, but staying in touch with friends and family back home is one you shouldn’t overlook. There’s no reason you should have to cut ties or lose contact simply because there’s an ocean between you and them. Furthermore, with the internet providing numerous ways for people from all over the world to communicate, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to stay connected.