Staying Connected with Family While Living Abroad

It can be challenging to stay connected with family members while you live in another country. With time differences and busy schedules, it can be hard to find time to talk. Staying connected with family is an excellent way to feel at home while living in a foreign country, and it also allows you to strengthen family relationships despite the distance.

However, you can do a few things to stay connected with your loved ones. 

Set aside time each week to talk on the phone or via video chat.

The importance of setting aside time each week to talk to the family cannot be overemphasized. When living abroad, feeling isolated and disconnected from loved ones back home can be easy. But by concerted effort to stay in touch regularly, families can help maintain that vital sense of connection.

Whether it's a weekly phone call or a Skype session every other Sunday, regular communication helps keep everyone updated on each other's lives. It also provides an opportunity for shared laughter and emotional support, which is so important during times of stress. In short, staying connected with family while living abroad is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships and ensuring everyone feels loved and supported.

Exchange pictures and stories regularly.

Exchanging pictures and stories is a great way to stay connected with your family while living abroad. By sharing photos and updates, you can keep up-to-date on all the exciting things you're doing, and they can do the same for you. This helps to build a sense of connection and shared experiences, even when you're miles apart. Plus, it's a lot of fun to see the different things your family is up to!

You can also ask them to send a package from home containing items that you miss. This can be anything from your favorite food to things that remind you of home. This is a great way to get a little taste of home while living abroad and help you feel closer to your family.

Make an effort to visit each other when you can. 

Making an effort to visit each other is one of the most important things you can do when families are spread out. It helps you stay close to them and allows you to catch up on what's been going on in each other's lives. It can be tough to make time for visits, but it's worth it.

But before your family makes travel plans, you should check if the country you're staying in has travel restrictions. Even though the situation is better than when the pandemic started, some countries may still impose restrictions on incoming travelers. Make sure your family understands these restrictions and follows them before finalizing their plans. For instance, China still requires mask wearing in all public transport, PCR tests, and a seven-day quarantine period. On the other hand, France does not require mask-wearing or has no quarantine period for incoming travelers.

Stay involved in each other's lives.

Families can struggle to stay connected when one or more members live abroad. But, it's essential to make an effort. By staying involved in each other's lives, you can maintain strong ties that will last even when you're not physically together.

You can keep in touch with family members via phone, email, social media, and other online platforms. You can also plan get-togethers, whether a video call or a physical reunion. No matter what method you use, stay in touch regularly and share updates on what's going on in your life.

This connection is essential not just for emotional reasons but also for practical ones. You can support each other through good times while working together. So don't let distance get in your relationship - stay connected and strengthen your bond!

Keep communication open.

The importance of keeping communication lines open while living abroad cannot be overstated. Whether you live in a foreign country for work or pleasure, staying connected with your loved ones back home is key to maintaining your sanity.

If something is bothering you or you need some advice, don't hesitate to reach out to your loved ones overseas. They will be more than happy to help you out and offer their support.

There are many ways to stay connected with your family while living abroad. Here are a few of the most popular:

• Social media - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.- are great ways to keep in touch with your loved ones. Just be sure to set some ground rules before you start sharing too much personal information.
• Video calls - Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, etc.- are great ways to "visit" with your family without traveling. Just be sure to schedule calls in advance so everyone can plan accordingly.

Although it may be difficult, it's crucial to put in the effort to stay connected with your family members who live in another country. Utilize technology, be proactive about communication, and take advantage of opportunities to see each other in person when possible!