5 Things You Leave Behind When You Move To Another Country
Often we feel that we don’t really have a choice when it comes to corporate relocation. Even when it’s presented as an opportunity rather than an order from on high, an international move is the sort of opportunity which you simply cannot pass on lightly. Still, as anyone who has made such a move for business will tell you, relocating your work and life can be a tremendous test of character. Often coping with what you’ll miss out on in your new position is as hard as adapting to the new features of your environment. To help prepare yourself, here are the 5 things most relocated employees miss in their new positions.
The Networks
Obviously missing your familiar friends and contacts (in many cases even family) is a huge source of heartache for anyone moving between states or countries. But even in business the connections you make over time and then subsequently lose upon moving are hugely important. It’s an often hard and unexpected blow to no longer have that trusted vendor to call, the friend in a neighbouring department who can give you project updates, or that long rapport with your receptionist which affords you a nice chat to start each day.
The Etiquette
Something else difficult and sometimes embarrassing to adapt to is differences in formalities and etiquette across cultures; if you find yourself suddenly unsure of how to handle yourself in a professional environment or unable to express your discomfort with the local practices.
The Brands
You might think it sounds petty, but especially when you strike out and make a big move alone, having familiar brands of product and service ripped away from you can pile on a surprising amount of homesickness and hurt. Sure, globalisation means there will always be a McDonalds, but if you have to spend time, money and effort finding a good new grocery store, restaurants, bars, beer, milk and so on it can put you under a lot of stress.
The Neighbourhood
We all tend to take for granted the ability to go out and about in public whenever we please, but when you’re starting out as a stranger in a strange city you lose a lot of that freedom (if only because you don’t know where to go). It’s a big thing to give up when you’re already leaving behind so much. Hiring a professional relocation specialist such as Allied will at least save you the trouble of having to get your belongings through the streets – seriously consider the investment if you’re worried about trying to cope with new-city stress. A good moving company will also provide you with details of how to navigate your new environment.
The Workflow
While relocation far away almost always comes with a time limit and a definite goal, it can start to hurt employee motivation when they get pulled suddenly out of their work environment and existing career path to go put out fires somewhere else. If it happens to you, however, just stay calm, constructive, and focus on how much good this will do for your career if you can push through it.
To find out more about Allied's moving services, or to book a consultation, visit www.alliedpickfords.com.sg or call +65 6862 4700.
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How to Enjoy Chinese New Year as an Expat in Singapore
For many native Singaporean residents, the rapidly approaching Lunar New Year represents the single most important date of the year. Also known as Chinese New Year, the spring festival holiday is associated with traditions thousands of years old and is celebrated by communities the world over. Singapore marks the auspicious date with a public extravaganza of light and dance, getting fully into the festival spirit with food, fashion, and public events.
If you’re an expat currently living in Singapore, the advent of such a raucous and colourful holiday might be the perfect cultural experience, but it also could be a bewildering drain on your energy if you aren’t prepared. With that in mind, here’s a short guide to the key facets of Chinese New Year in Singapore.
Paint the town red
One of the most visible cultural foundations of the Spring Festival is the veneration of the colour red, which is simply everywhere in Singapore at this time. Seen to signify luck and prosperity, you will see people buying new clothes, cooking food, and daubing their homes in the colour.
If you plan on celebrating or at least blending in during the festival, it’s a good idea to plan your best “red” look. Buying new clothes – especially ones which are red themselves – is considered good luck at this time of year, so don’t be afraid to splash out a bit in order to look the part.
It’s all about family
Togetherness and family unity are a huge cultural theme of the holiday. One of the central moments of the holiday season is Reunion Dinner, when scattered family members move hell and high water to get home for dinner on the eve of the Lunar New Year. If you’re a lonesome single expat far from home on a night like this, it can be very easy to feel cut off from the celebration and sink into a melancholy homesickness.
Take the opportunity to match like with like; Allied Pickfords recommends looking into local expat bars and social media groups to see if anyone else is partying against the grain on reunion night.
It’s not just about the New Year
In Singapore, the Lunar New Year is traditionally marked by a 2-day public holiday, sometimes 3-day, and the revellers will make those days count. But if the holiday itself is too intense or just not your style, the festive season persists for a good month around this crimson crescendo. Featuring a range of mouth-watering seasonal food prepared only around the New Year, colourful public decorations and a cheerful, relaxed atmosphere, this could be the perfect antidote to frantic New Year’s Eve celebrations. Make sure to witness the legendary Chingay Parade, held 8 days after the Lunar New Year and one of Singapore’s most cherished public traditions.
To find out more about Allied Pickfords’ moving services, or to book a consultation, visit www.alliedpickfords.com.sg or call +65 6862 4700.
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