Last Updated on April 15, 2021 by themigrationnews
*Stephanie Haywood
The United States is truly a land of opportunity. But coming to the U.S. as an immigrant is not without its challenges. In fact, it can be very difficult to get started and forge a life in which you thrive. Some of these challenges stem from the way certain things are done in the U.S., while others are a natural outcome of trying to make a new life in a foreign country.
Whatever your reasons for moving to the U.S., it will help to learn as much as you can about the country so that you can begin preparing for your journey. The Migration News: People on the Move exists to inform, educate, and inspire immigrants from all over the world. With that in mind, we would like to share the following 10 things that every immigrant should be aware of before moving to the land of the free:
Preparing For Arrival
Moving to another country is not something you can do on a whim. The stronger the foundation you build beforehand, the more likely you will be positioned to succeed:
1. Being Proactive Is a Gamechanger
As with any major life change, it’s essential to be proactive about your migration to the States. If possible, start learning English before you leave your country. Having at least a basic knowledge of English will help when it comes to interacting with others, getting a job, and finding housing.
Also, list your goals and make a timeline for them. For example, you could make it a goal to find housing within four months. It’s also never too early to begin applying for jobs either. The more opportunities you chase, the more likely you are to find a job that meets your salary desires, educational background, and experience. And whatever you’re doing right now, remember to work hard and develop good habits that can benefit you in the future.
2. Create a Budget for Personal and Familial Expenses
Many immigrants face financial challenges when moving to the U.S. Depending on where you live in the country, the cost of living might be higher than you’re used to. Plus, if you have trouble finding a decent job, then your finances will be even tighter. By creating a budget that helps you plan where your money will go, you can limit some of the stress of financial hardship.
If you plan to provide financial support to your family back home, it’s important to work this into your budget. Also, to limit expenses when you send funds home, use a cost-effective method to transfer money. For instance, if you want to send money home to family in the Philippines, a service like Remitly offers transfers at little to no cost based on the amount sent and how soon the funds are needed. So if you want to send your brother a few hundred dollars but you opt for him to receive pesos, you wouldn’t pay more than $3.99 for the transfer. On the other hand, if you choose to send money home in U.S. dollars, fees will vary based on the amount.
3. Networking and Specialization Is Key
When it comes to landing a good job and enhancing your career, networking with other professionals in the States must be a priority. More than any other reason, people in the U.S. are often hired because of the people they know. So get on LinkedIn, and find ways to meet people in your field.
Speaking of your field, specializing is a big deal in the U.S. A majority of the most successful entrepreneurs and professionals specialize in one particular skill. Instead of jumping from project to project, focus on finding work that falls within the same range of expertise so that you can build a reputation in that niche.
4. There’s a Wide Variety of Workplace Cultures
The U.S. is a melting pot of cultures, and that extends to the workplace. In one job, you may work overtime every week and have a boss who is extremely strict on company policy and expectations. In another, your boss might be more relaxed and only expect you to work reasonable hours. Before committing to any single employer, do your research to ensure their values line up with yours.
Cultural Differences
Chances are you will encounter many cultural differences when moving to the States. Here are a few key aspects to be aware of:
5. Every State Is Different
The U.S. is a big country. With 50 states, there are many regional differences to consider. These differences span the cost of living, laws, religion, politics, and much more. Make sure you understand the culture of the state you are moving to.
6. Keeping Up With Culture Will Help You Connect With Others
Reading up on the news and culture of the day through newspapers, magazines, blogs, and other channels will arm you with topics of conversation when you meet and interact with other people. Also, learning about current events, politics, and history can help you feel more connected to your community as a whole. Immerse yourself in content that’s relevant to the region where you are moving.
7. Tips and Sales Tax Can Get You
This might seem like a minor detail, but knowing about sales tax will come in handy when you’re creating your budget. Remember that in the U.S., tips and sales tax come at the end of a purchase. Since servers rely on tips for the majority of their income, always plan to add 15–20% to the price of your restaurant meals. Likewise, products in stores do not reflect the total price after sales tax. Depending on what state you reside in, you will need to budget for up to 9.55% in sales tax for each item you buy.
Other Things to Know
Along with making good choices along the way and being knowledgeable of cultural differences, here are a few other things to keep in mind for your relocation:
8. Technology Is Your Friend
There are so many ways technology can enrich your experience as an immigrant in the U.S. Be sure to take advantage of social media platforms and communication apps for staying connected with loved ones and in order to meet new people. Look into the wealth of software tools and apps that can assist you at work.
9. Your Goals and Expectations Should Be Realistic
Since relocating to the States is not easy, it’s critical to have clear, realistic goals and expectations before you make the trip. Know that you will encounter various challenges, so prepare as well as you can for those challenges. Then, you’ll be less likely to be disappointed and more likely to enjoy your journey.
10. There Are a Lot of Stunning National Parks
Finally, the U.S. has many national parks that will take your breath away. In fact, there are 412 national parks totaling a whopping 84 million acres of natural beauty. Don’t miss out on visiting these parks, and keep up to date on free-entry days to save some money!
If you’re after a better life for you and/or your family, then the United States is hard to beat. But as with any country, relocation to the U.S. presents challenges. Keep the information above in mind, and continue to research how you can make the transition as smooth as possible. In no time, you’ll be settling into your new community — on your way to a flourishing life!
Would you like to read more helpful content pertaining to immigration? Visit themigrationnews.com today!
*Stephanie Haywood is happy to be living her best life. Personal development and self-care gave her a boost when she needed it most, and now she works to share the gift of self-knowledge, self-care, and self-actualization with everyone who visits MyLifeBoost.com.