<p>When you are young, it’s easy to adjust to new environments. But as you grow, start having an existence of your own independent of your parents, you begin to put down “roots”. In other words, you go to school, play at the local park, swim at the club nearby, hang out in friends’ houses,and before your know it, your favourite places, people, things to do, all become like habits – hard to be without. And these roots have a way of digging themselves in very deep without you even knowing it.<br /><br />When the time does come for a move, these roots are neither easy to dig up nor to transplant. How many of you have had that sinking feeling in your stomach when one day your parents sit you down and say, “we are moving”?<br /><br />Here are some things you can do to help make a move less hard.<br /><br />1. Learn the name of the new city you are going to. If you are allowed to, Google it and learn about the people, languages, population, things to see and do. Yes, it sounds like advice for a tourist, but at the beginning that is what you will be!<br /><br />2. Talk about it. Moving doesn’t necessarily have to be a sad thing. When a whole family moves together, it can be rather exciting. Not many have the luxury of the security of their loved ones while exploring a new environment. So have family discussions about what you will do when you move!<br /><br />3. Ask questions. Rather than push the scary thought of a new home to the back of your mind (where it won’t stay), ask your parents all about it, ask your teachers what they know about it, and ask your friends what they think.<br /><br />4. Say goodbye. Don’t hide away from your friends and family – there is nothing to be ashamed of. You are not deserting them. Let everyone know you will be in touch (and mean it). Let them know how much they mean to you and that you will never forget any of them.<br /><br />5. Take pictures. Take photographs of all your favourite people and places with you in the frame too. These will help you in times of loneliness.<br /><br />Being emotionally prepared is something many may not think about. But it is so important to feel as comfortable as possible about where you are going. After all you are not going on vacation. You are, most likely, moving for good.<br /><br />And when you do get to this final destination, there is much you can do to make sure you settle in without too many hitches.<br /><br />1. Unpack. Your old, familiar things will bring immediate comfort in a new environment. Keep your favourite things (photos, gifts, books, toys, clothes, etc.) all around you – next to your bed/ on your walls/ on a shelf.<br /><br />2. Explore. Make an effort to explore your new neighbourhood or apartment complex. Find out where the nearest park, swimming pool or playground is. Who knows, you might even make a new friend (or two) on your way!<br /><br />3. Try new things. Go with your family and try out the food available, see what the shops sell, see and learn what people here do in their free time and see if you might be interested in these things.<br /><br />4. Talk to people. You’ll find that most people are always interested in new things; ergo they will be interested in the new family! Tell them about where you come from, your culture, people back home. You’ll be sharing your past and simultaneously teaching them something new.<br /><br />Settling into a new place is all about putting down new roots. Some of you who have changed homes often may know what that’s like. Undoubtedly, it can be hard to constantly be uprooted, but if you have the power to transplant and absorb the richness of new soils, adapt and manage change in your life, moving can and will be a whole lot of fun. You will also have the rare opportunity to make several friends from several different places – yours for a lifetime.</p>
<p>When you are young, it’s easy to adjust to new environments. But as you grow, start having an existence of your own independent of your parents, you begin to put down “roots”. In other words, you go to school, play at the local park, swim at the club nearby, hang out in friends’ houses,and before your know it, your favourite places, people, things to do, all become like habits – hard to be without. And these roots have a way of digging themselves in very deep without you even knowing it.<br /><br />When the time does come for a move, these roots are neither easy to dig up nor to transplant. How many of you have had that sinking feeling in your stomach when one day your parents sit you down and say, “we are moving”?<br /><br />Here are some things you can do to help make a move less hard.<br /><br />1. Learn the name of the new city you are going to. If you are allowed to, Google it and learn about the people, languages, population, things to see and do. Yes, it sounds like advice for a tourist, but at the beginning that is what you will be!<br /><br />2. Talk about it. Moving doesn’t necessarily have to be a sad thing. When a whole family moves together, it can be rather exciting. Not many have the luxury of the security of their loved ones while exploring a new environment. So have family discussions about what you will do when you move!<br /><br />3. Ask questions. Rather than push the scary thought of a new home to the back of your mind (where it won’t stay), ask your parents all about it, ask your teachers what they know about it, and ask your friends what they think.<br /><br />4. Say goodbye. Don’t hide away from your friends and family – there is nothing to be ashamed of. You are not deserting them. Let everyone know you will be in touch (and mean it). Let them know how much they mean to you and that you will never forget any of them.<br /><br />5. Take pictures. Take photographs of all your favourite people and places with you in the frame too. These will help you in times of loneliness.<br /><br />Being emotionally prepared is something many may not think about. But it is so important to feel as comfortable as possible about where you are going. After all you are not going on vacation. You are, most likely, moving for good.<br /><br />And when you do get to this final destination, there is much you can do to make sure you settle in without too many hitches.<br /><br />1. Unpack. Your old, familiar things will bring immediate comfort in a new environment. Keep your favourite things (photos, gifts, books, toys, clothes, etc.) all around you – next to your bed/ on your walls/ on a shelf.<br /><br />2. Explore. Make an effort to explore your new neighbourhood or apartment complex. Find out where the nearest park, swimming pool or playground is. Who knows, you might even make a new friend (or two) on your way!<br /><br />3. Try new things. Go with your family and try out the food available, see what the shops sell, see and learn what people here do in their free time and see if you might be interested in these things.<br /><br />4. Talk to people. You’ll find that most people are always interested in new things; ergo they will be interested in the new family! Tell them about where you come from, your culture, people back home. You’ll be sharing your past and simultaneously teaching them something new.<br /><br />Settling into a new place is all about putting down new roots. Some of you who have changed homes often may know what that’s like. Undoubtedly, it can be hard to constantly be uprooted, but if you have the power to transplant and absorb the richness of new soils, adapt and manage change in your life, moving can and will be a whole lot of fun. You will also have the rare opportunity to make several friends from several different places – yours for a lifetime.</p>
