hardest parts of adjusting for mena peeps

[StupidJourney 0]

My fiance has only been here a few days. He told me the other day to forget about making him feel "at home" he is at home and this is his country now. Oh and the smoking, I warned him, but he didn't believe me about not being able to smoke most places. Also, clothes - he thinks americans have old-fashioned style.

The clothes thing made me laugh - my husband hates American shoes. He actually had his mom bring shoes with her for our wedding!

[irahaymeh 0]

I found all of the halal store locations before he came so it would be easy to find the things he likes. We can also get the Mid East satelite from the same merchants that run the halal store. So we'll be getting the arab tv stations soon. He thinks it's so strange to see Animal Hospitals on every corner here.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

Ahmed isnt here yet but the animals made me think, i had mentioned taking my dog to the vet and groomers. He mentioned how strange people there need doctors so bad and here we take the dog.

[Alex+R 0]

Punctuality. People here actually expect that you're going to do something when you say you're gonna do it. Meet me at 5 does not mean meet me sometime between 6 and 7. Due dates are not suggestions. After growing up in Morocco and then 5 years in Italy, which I dare say is worse in that regard, it's been a shock. Personally, I prefer life on Italian time, but no such luck here.

if you were gonna move back to Italy.. where would you move?

Back to Genova. That's where all our friends are and I just fell in love with the Italian Riviera. Miss it so much.

Hey, Jenn, my family is having an Italian 'exchange' student (sorta, more like family friends of family friends' son) from Genova. He's 17 and my mom wants Rey and me to do a lot of the "showing him around" stuff. I'm excited. What kind of culture is he coming from in Genova?

[Aymerlu 3]

My husband misses his sisters and friends, and transportation (he does not drive yet) He also misses the fact that he cannot teach yet here....he needs to go back to school which we just cannot afford right now. He did just start a new job last week that so far he is vry happy with. He actually loves the food here (which I like egyptian food better).

Punctuality.....yes Jenn.....this is soooo true! He never understands why I want to be somewhere when I'm supposed to be there.

I'll have to ask him later about some others.

[sara535 15]

The biggest adjustment for our situation has been employment. I think my husband got here thinking he was going to land some great high paying job right off the bat and that has not been the case, as I am sure many of you who already have their spouses here can relate to. Education and prior job experience dont transfer very well and Adnan was unpleasantly surprised at the actual choices he's had as far as jobs go. I know he would love to be the provider of the household but at this time I am still the 'primary' breadwinner and while we are both happy that I have a job that supports us I know it eats at his pride and he is counting the days until he can offer me the option to stay home ( not sure I would take it, but thats a different conversation...)

[~Jackie~ 30]

Hi Sara! Congrats on the pregnancy! I agree with you. Mohammed's hardest adjustment was the employment issue.

Jackie

[Michaela_Hassan 1]

I found all of the halal store locations before he came so it would be easy to find the things he likes. We can also get the Mid East satelite from the same merchants that run the halal store. So we'll be getting the arab tv stations soon. He thinks it's so strange to see Animal Hospitals on every corner here.

That's funny, Hassan actually is working at an animal hospital now, and when he told his friends and family they all cracked up over it. Adjustments...hmmm I think the employment, the taxes get him, also he found a big difference in peoples care for one another, if someone gets sick there the whole neighborhood will come to check on you, here you get at best a phone call, if anything at all. He adjusted to the food just fine...gained a few pounds lol.