NEW LIFE! :)

[RoyaleT 0]

Hi Friends,

I am goin to U.S.A next month on K1 Visa. I am a doctor by profession..So is my fiance. So basically, from next month, after wedding , i am starting a brand new life. I think i 'll manage on all the things, except the fact that i 'll be badly missing my parents. All those who have been through the journey, please tell me how to adapt to the wholly new culture, country. Is it really tough? I 've lived a very comfortable or rather quite luxurious(if i may say so, modestly) life in my homeland. Will it be difficult to adapt? What are the most common hardships faced by newcomers? I m trying to mentally prepare myself.

[canadian_wife 1,827]

Congrats!

I found adjusting difficult and I am from Canada! I just found it hard to be away from my family and the language (yes the language from Canada to Georgia is different). I was a novelty for a while. I had to get used to the food, the way of life, the culture.

The biggest difficulty I found was finding a job. A LOT of employers see you're from another country and don't waste their time with you. This recession has certainly put a "hire American" sentiment in Georgia. But as a doctor, I'm not sure you'll have that problem (are you board certified in the US?)

The biggest thing I found helpful was getting involved and meeting new people, espeically other people from Canada.

Good luck.

[Moksha 1]

Hi RoyaleT,

I know when my husband (then fiance) came over to the States on a K-1 the hardest part for him was not having a job for so long. It wasn't even about finding a job, but more about you can't even get a job until you marry, file for your green card and receive EAD. It took about 4 months from when he got here for him to receive his EAD card, so that was 4 months of him basically sitting at home. I work, and currently we only have one car (he just got his US driver's license) so he was basically stuck. With that also comes the lack of freedom. He is very independent, so it was hard for him to not be able to work or go anywhere. I honestly think that is the thing you need to mentally prepare yourself for the most.

He adapted fine to the language, time, and all-around culture. There are plenty of places to find Indian foods and spices, and even ways to find Indian Communities, but the lack of independence part was really hard. Eventually though, when things start to progress, it will get better. Enjoy your time with your fiance, enjoy learning the new places and foods and don't worry so much about "adapting," it all comes with time

If you need anything or any suggestions feel free to PM us!

[Miranda&John 0]

I've been in the US for almost 4 months now. I have an internship here, so I'm not sitting around at home...

But I think the biggest thing for me is a general sense of alienation. I don't know if it's because of the conservative area of the state that I live in, or what the deal is. I just feel like the majority of people I meet are... not unfriendly... but anti-social. I don't know, it's hard to explain. I'm very glad for my husband's female friends who have reached out to me, I think I would be pretty depressed otherwise.

[Dakine 26]

Hi Friends,

I am goin to U.S.A next month on K1 Visa. I am a doctor by profession..So is my fiance. So basically, from next month, after wedding , i am starting a brand new life. I think i 'll manage on all the things, except the fact that i 'll be badly missing my parents. All those who have been through the journey, please tell me how to adapt to the wholly new culture, country. Is it really tough? I 've lived a very comfortable or rather quite luxurious(if i may say so, modestly) life in my homeland. Will it be difficult to adapt? What are the most common hardships faced by newcomers? I m trying to mentally prepare myself.

Set up your parents with a PC and cam. Helps a LOT with hmesickness.

[Brent and Paola 0]

Hi! I ´ve been here for six months now and I clearly understand your worries!! In my case the most difficult part has definitely been the job part. I used to be a language teacher in my country and fortunately I got a part time -volunteer based job in a school here, I am very happy and enthusiastic for been there but I can feel 100 % that people don´t take me too seriously, and it´s been very hard to deal with it because I used to be a little respected and taken into account in my preious jobs there in my country.

Also sometimes I have language issues (_I felt I spoke good english but there are moments in which I just can´t go further in some conversations and it´s making me feel really frusrated )... Freedom to get to places you want and need to go is also hard, and relationships are different and hard to build too, I am sure every case is different but your question gave me a little space to vent I would say to you: The important is to be opened to the change, learn to enjoy, learn and don´t let yourself to feel down because it´s "normal".

[K.D 0]

same here ... i came here 4 months back . but i have trouble finding job...... back in my country i was chemist.... it was really frustrating when i came here.. as i am bachelor of pharmacy , i am not eligible to get job in my field until i get certification.. still i am searching any possible job but they dont consider me as i have foreign degree.. and plus bad economy...

still adjusting here...

[Mike's Lucy 14]

I agree. Been here for 4 months too and i miss my family everyday especially my niece and the only thing I can do is talk to them on ym with webcam. Aside from homesickness, you will also be fighting against boredom. I used to work in Japan before coming here, I worked hard everyday and I must say, I did have a luxurious life before too, Earning big and used to send money every month back home.

I am just so blessed to have a very loving, understanding husband. He is really doing things to make me feel home here and I have great Filipino friends here too. For now i just hope i could find work soon.

You are a doctor, so it won't be difficult for you to do volunteering.

Hi Friends,

I am goin to U.S.A next month on K1 Visa. I am a doctor by profession..So is my fiance. So basically, from next month, after wedding , i am starting a brand new life. I think i 'll manage on all the things, except the fact that i 'll be badly missing my parents. All those who have been through the journey, please tell me how to adapt to the wholly new culture, country. Is it really tough? I 've lived a very comfortable or rather quite luxurious(if i may say so, modestly) life in my homeland. Will it be difficult to adapt? What are the most common hardships faced by newcomers? I m trying to mentally prepare myself.

Set up your parents with a PC and cam. Helps a LOT with hmesickness.

Same here K.D., I am an chemical engineering grad, can't practice my course here but i really don't mind, I just wanna have a decent job and I don't want to work as hard as I was in Japan. I'm too old....

same here ... i came here 4 months back . but i have trouble finding job...... back in my country i was chemist.... it was really frustrating when i came here.. as i am bachelor of pharmacy , i am not eligible to get job in my field until i get certification.. still i am searching any possible job but they dont consider me as i have foreign degree.. and plus bad economy...

still adjusting here...

[jjbandero 39]

Perhaps volunteer at a local charity/non-profit organization? It will keep you busy, help the community and will look good on your resume while you're waiting or looking for a permanent job.

Cheers

[RoyaleT 0]

Hi Friends,

Thanks a ton for your replies...I would like to meet each of you in U.S;)...

I 've stopped worrying about adapting and all...Just left that part to God..

I have one more query..Is it a good idea to buy a pre paid AT &T or such sim card in india nad get it activated in the U.S? or shall i purchase it in U.S itself? What are the good phone plans for calling india(north)?

I was planning to get AT&T in india and get it activated the minute i land in U.S. Any suggestion is welcome.

[movingsoon2 0]

I think everyone faces their own challenges, no matter what they are, they can be painful. For me, the job part has been enjoyable, I am teaching just like I was in Canada. I live in a fairly affluent community. For me the challenge has been adjusting to married life. I have the most caring husband, yet it's still hard for me getting used to being married.

As for at&t, purchase everything in the us. I am from Canada and phone plans are not compatible here in the us.

Edited October 20, 2009 by movingsoon2