Planning Your Move Abroad, Part 3: Arrive & Acclimate
- Elizabeth Pinkerton
- May 2
- 5 min read
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” — Neale Donald Walsch
I remember my first day in Barcelona, sitting on a bench in the middle of the city, watching people and cars go by. I had just arrived from the U.S. that morning, I was jetlagged, and the impact of what I’d done was beginning to sink in.
I was in a new land where I barely spoke the language. My belongings were being shipped across the ocean. I was all in. Questions crept into my brain: Would I like it here? Would I be able to adapt to life here? Would I thrive?
Fortunately, I didn’t leave my transition to chance. I had already been in touch with a Spanish language school, and had an appointment to meet the owner the following week. I had made connections in Barcelona over the past several months and scheduled coffees and lunches in advance. And, I had researched where I could volunteer with animals since that was something I enjoyed doing back in the U.S. In short, I had an acclimation plan.
About This Series
This is the third installment of a three-part series on planning a successful move abroad. (Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of the series, if you're curious to learn more.)
The framework I use breaks the process into three distinct (and equally important) phases:
➡️Envision – Defining your vision, assessing your readiness, and validating your assumptions.
➡️ Prepare– Securing visas, handling logistics, and making concrete preparations.
➡️ Acclimate – Adjusting to a new way of life, integrating into the community, and building a fulfilling life in your new country.
In this post, we’re diving into the Acclimate phase—because planning for your acclimation can make all the difference.
Why Cultural Acclimation Is Important
When planning to move abroad, it can be tempting to focus only on the tangible aspects of your move—visas, housing, finances. But your long-term success hinges just as much on your emotional and cultural transition. In fact, failure to acclimate is a common reason why expats unexpectedly return home.
Cultural acclimation enables you to:
Effectively navigate daily life. Understanding local customs and cultural norms can create smoother interactions and help prevent misunderstandings.
Foster a sense of belonging. Integrating into the local culture can help you feel more at home and reduce feelings of isolation.
Cultivate personal growth and well-being. Learning and adapting to your new culture can broaden your perspective on the world and reduce expat stress.
Three Keys to Successful Acclimation as an Expat
Create Community & Connection in Your New Home Abroad
It can be lonely as a new expat. You’re far from friends and family, and have yet to establish yourself in your new home. Add in the language barrier, and it can feel intimidating to put yourself out there.
The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities to make connections. Here are some effective ways to start building your community:
Enroll in an in-person language school. You’ll meet local teachers and fellow expats.
Pursue hobbies you enjoyed back home. For example, if you are into running, find a local running club. Engaging in a familiar activity can make it easier to connect with others over shared interests.
Volunteer with a local organization. This is a great way to meet locals while giving back to your new community.
Participate in local events and networking groups. There are a plethora of opportunities to connect with locals and expats alike. This includes Meetup events, language exchanges, Toastmasters, and InterNations.
Research and set up some of these activities before you leave home. By doing so, you’ll feel more grounded and confident when you arrive.
And don’t forget to stay connected with friends and family back home. Scheduling regular calls or Zoom check-ins go a long way toward keeping your existing relationships strong and giving you the emotional support you need during this transition.
Put Structure in Place for Your New Expat Life
When you move abroad, your normal routines often go out the window. Building a new structure will help you settle in faster. And, having regular in-person appointments and commitments will force you out of the house and get you interacting with locals.
Also, keep in mind that if you’re working remotely, especially with a U.S. schedule, your day may skew later. That can make mornings feel long and unstructured. If you’re not working, it’s even more important to plan activities that create a daily rhythm.
Here are some easy ways to start building structure in your days:
Engage in regularly scheduled activities outside of your home. For example, if you enroll inan in-person language school, you will have regular classes to attend.
Find a favorite cafe or restaurant and go there a couple of times a week. This will give you an easy and familiar destination. And you will most likely get to know the people working there, helping you feel like a local.
Get a dog. Okay, this one might not work for everyone, but having a dog that you walk multiple times a day is great for establishing a routine. Not only that, it forces you out of the house, makes you more recognizable in your neighborhood, and fosters connection with other pet parents and animal lovers.
Learn About the Culture & Embrace Flexibility
It goes without saying that moving to a new country requires adapting to a new culture. Some things are easy to adapt to in Spain, like the food, wine, and Mediterranean lifestyle. But other aspects of Spanish culture can require more of an adjustment:
Shops and services that close in the afternoon
Slow and often Byzantine bureaucracy
Late-night meals
Some of it will delight you, some of it will amuse you, and some of it will frustrate you. And that’s okay.
The key is to stay curious, open-minded, and flexible. Ask questions. Learn about cultural norms. Read about the learnings and mishaps of other expats who have gone before you. And try to avoid having rigid expectations about how a certain interaction or process should go.
And remember that acclimation is an ongoing journey. So don’t beat yourself up if things don’t go according to plan. Pause, reflect, and put yourself out there again.
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
Moving abroad isn’t just a logistical endeavor—it’s an emotional and psychological journey too. How you approach the acclimation process can deeply shape your experience in your new country.
By taking steps to build community, create structure, and embrace cultural differences with curiosity and flexibility, you set yourself up not just to adjust but to thrive. The more intention you bring to this phase, the more confident and connected you'll feel as you begin this new chapter of life abroad.
If you’re getting ready to move—or have just landed—take time to think through how you’ll acclimate. What kinds of routines or activities will help ground you? Where might you look for community? What’s one step you can take this week to begin integrating into your new environment?
If you’d like more personalized support as you plan or navigate your move to Barcelona, I’d love to help. You can:
Download my free Ultimate Barcelona Relocation Checklist.
Book a free 30-minute call to talk through where you are in your journey and how I might support you.
Subscribe to the blog for more tips, stories, and guidance on thriving abroad.
Elizabeth Pinkerton is the founder of VidaNova Barcelona, which provides expert guidance to Americans moving to Spain. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she spent many years in the San Francisco Bay Area before making the leap to Barcelona. Now, she helps aspiring expats navigate the transition with confidence.
(Images by Freepik)
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