After spotting a small group of people doing yoga in the park, I politely interrupted to ask if I could join. My current attire wasn’t appropriate but I turned up in my gym clothes the next week and was ready to get involved.
The ‘I might as well ask, there’s nothing to lose’ moment has made the world of a difference to my time spent abroad. Small talk develops into a chat before class and strangers soon become familiar faces. That sense of community makes a huge difference to helping you feel at home, even if you don’t know anybody to begin with.
What started as a small group of 5 doing yoga in the park has grown to be a community of people from all over the world who are new to the city, looking for routine, ready to exercise and want to get to know new people.
And it doesn’t have to be yoga! I tried various sports and activities whilst trying to find what was best for me. I didn’t want to sign a 2 year contract at a random gym so a voluntary pay-as-you-go yoga class, was a no-brainer for me. I’ve got so into it that I even do extra practice at home with a friend!
Why not give it a try? Yoga, running club, or whatever it is you may be interested in. The English yoga class I attend is run on Meet Up, a platform with different communities for people to get to know each other in cities all over the world. Take a look for yourself and see what you can find in your area. Who knows what friendly faces you’ll meet 🙂
Alisa Jordan Writes 
Dear Alisa Happy new year! Just writing to commend you on your blog posts. I recently received a job offer for a role in Luxembourg which means I will need to relocate. It is funny, I subscribed to your blog because your sister (Leanne) recommended it on her facebook page, long before I received a job offer that would require me moving abroad. Reading your blog has helped unnerve me about the move and I am looking forward to a life overseas. Thank you. I hope, I will, one day get the opportunity to meet and thank you in person.
Wishing you and yours a great 2018. RegardsRuth
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Ruth,
Congrats on your new job abroad! Wow, that’s so strange that you had subscribed before you even knew you’d be going, funny how things work out. Thanks for reading my posts and you can always get in touch if there is anything you need along the way. Let me know if you are ever in Frankfurt 🙂
Happy New Year!
Alisa
LikeLike
Hi Alisa, Happy New Year. Another beautifully written piece ….. so simple, yet with so powerful. Your writing articles the message in an easily understood way that makes reading them so effortless – like reading a well-written book.
Already looking forward to your next piece xx
LikeLike
Thanks! Happy new year! X
LikeLike