Preparing for arrival!

[llaz 232]

As the USC I and I'm sure that many others realize that our family members give up a lot to leave their country to come be with us in the United States and want to make the transition as smooth as possible and make them feel at home.

 

What did you do, what are you planning on doing or if you could go back what would you have done to help your fiancée or spouse adjust to their new life? Little or big it all counts and i would love to hear it! 

 

I'll start: Today I am clearing out a space for my fiancé in the dresser and clearing out his closet for when he comes. I've also arranged the room so he has a side table on his side of the bed. I also want to get him some balloons that say welcome home or something for when I meet him at the airport.

 

 

Edited July 22, 2017 by llaz

[Scandi 4,166]

There's a really good thread on the same topic here, many good replies, advice and tips. 

 

 

[Coco8 1,042]

This might be silly, but my husband really remembers the first day he got to the US. He remembers what I got for breakfast, he remembers the lunch I made for him. After a long flight he was tired so I prepared things to be at home that day, and we just went for a walk in the afternoon. 

 

Another thing you could do is think of the basic things he will need to be with you and buy them for him. Besides the usual (shaving stuff, soap, etc.), he will need his own towel set, etc. 

 

I know this sounds more practical, but it was little things that made him more comfortable and keep the routine he already has in his country.

[BadCivilServant 10]

My wife is USC/Cdn and I am CDN so I'm not sure how useful this advice is, but...

 

I wish we could have saved more money while we were planning this. And we had a year and a half to plan it. But there was always "something."

 

In our case, my wife is a low-income earner and I earn a considerably higher income. But she wanted to move to Florida for her health, among other things. So yeah, I gave it all up. Good job, pension, benefits, everything. At least I stocked up on her medication while I could still get it on my benefits plan. 

 

I moved her down here in April. I joined her in late May. I announced my resignation from my job six weeks ahead, and took the last four weeks as paid time vacation time. So I had the luxury of being able to come here (Orlando, Florida), be with my wife while she complies with the domicile requirement, and collect a paycheck LEGALLY for most of the two months that I have been here myself. 

 

But I still wish we had saved more money. Story of everyone's life, I guess. As far as being made to "feel comfortable," I would feel comfortable in the Antarctic, as long as my wife was there. But, of course, that would defeat the process of leaving Canada.

 

Anyway, good luck.

 

(BTW, three minute interview in Montreal yesterday. Approved. Picked up the passport with visa the same afternoon. Crossed the border early the following morning)

[myheart0628 30]

In my case my husband hasn't arrived yet but I am planning on getting a biger channel selection with more international channels. I am also getting the sports package so he can watch soccer while I am at work and school.  But before he arrives I am going to make sure the house is stocked with food. Also going to get him a gym membership. Saving money is also a good idea. We are planning on going on a cruise with money saved.

Edited July 22, 2017 by myheart0628

[cosmonauts 125]

On 7/22/2017 at 0:08 PM, llaz said:

As the USC I and I'm sure that many others realize that our family members give up a lot to leave their country to come be with us in the United States and want to make the transition as smooth as possible and make them feel at home.

 

What did you do, what are you planning on doing or if you could go back what would you have done to help your fiancée or spouse adjust to their new life? Little or big it all counts and i would love to hear it! 

 

I'll start: Today I am clearing out a space for my fiancé in the dresser and clearing out his closet for when he comes. I've also arranged the room so he has a side table on his side of the bed. I also want to get him some balloons that say welcome home or something for when I meet him at the airport.

 

 

You could learn some of the typical dishes and surprise him one day For me, food has been one of the hardest things to accept/get used to in the US.

And like you said, making sure he has a space in the house so he doesn't feel like a guest. It will take time to adjust no matter how much you prepare. Having no friends and no job is very very difficult, especially if you have an active life in your home country.

 

Our cultures are not that different which is why it can be hard to notice/understand certain cultural differences. Just be there for him!