Tips from IntlMOVE: Help your Kids Deal with Culture Shock

Posted by IntlMOVE on September 26, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

IntlMOVE has put together some tips for helping your children move overseas.

Everyone experiences some level of culture shock when moving abroad, but it is your job as parents to help your children deal with moving overseas.

Most children thrive in international environments and there are many benefits that your children will experience. 

The term culture shock is a bit unsettling.

A better way to explain what is happening is adjusting to your new surroundings.

The unfamiliar sights, sounds and sometimes language can be a bit overwhelming at first.

Take it slow and learn to adapt to your new country one step at a time. 

In addition to getting used to a new job, new neighbors and new friends, your family will also have to adjust to new routines.

Children can have a difficult time because it is hard for them to understand that family and friends are only a phone call or plane ride away. 

You might be living in a small apartment in the city instead of a large house in the suburbs.

Your children might attend a private school that teaches in an unfamiliar language.

They may even have to wear uniforms to school instead of their regular clothes.

The weather, food and even the customs will be different than in their home country.

All of these changes can be scary for young minds, but preparing them for the move ahead of time will help. 

The first few weeks, you will likely not notice any changes in your children.

They are taking in all of the changes and differences in their new country.

You will know culture shock is starting to set in when you start to see your children become depressed, anxious and unhappy or if you notice changes in their eating or sleeping habits.

Don’t panic because these are temporary behavioral changes for most children moving overseas. 

Advance Preparation for Moving Children Overseas

The first thing you will want to explain is that moving overseas does not mean they will never see their friends or extended family again.

Let them know they can keep in contact through Skype and through visits you plan on making to your home country.

The thought of moving overseas becomes much less daunting when your children know they do not have to let go of their current life. 

When you and your family decide to move overseas, enroll your children in language classes as soon as possible.

If you are moving to a new country with a new language, your children will need to speak the new language to fit in with local children.

Show your children pictures of their new city, their new school and their new home.

Get your children excited about their new move so it is less foreign when they finally arrive.

If possible, have your children’s teacher send a picture of the kids in the class and find out if your children can email some of the students in the new school.

Your children will be excited about meeting their new friends face-to-face when you finally arrive in your new country. 

Before you move, find restaurants in your home country that serve the cuisine of your new country.

Have your child try many of the different dishes, so the dishes will be familiar when they move overseas.

Also, try to explain all the differences you have anticipated.

No matter what you do, always talk about your upcoming international move with excitement. 

Arriving in your New Country and Culture Shock

When you arrive in your new country, try to take your children to familiar stores and find some familiar food.

Take your children to McDonald’s or Starbucks to show them that not everything in their new country is different.

Try to make play dates for your children with other children who speak the same language.

You can meet other expats at work or through online expat resources.

Your children will learn the new language fast enough, but having a friend they can communicate with right away will help ease their stress.

Your children will have much easier time learning their new language than you. 

The effects of culture shock will fade over time.

The most important thing is to communicate with your children before and after the move.

Talk to them in an open fashion so you can help relieve any fears they might be harboring.

They might be worrying about something that you can easily clear up if you take the time to ask them what they are thinking.

 When you are moving overseas, contact IntlMOVE to help you pack and ship your personal belongings.

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IntlMOVE – Moving to India and Grocery Shopping

Posted by IntlMOVE on September 20, 2010 · 1 Comment 

When moving to India with IntlMOVE, your mind will be focused on getting your household goods shipped to India.

After your household goods and personal effects arrive safely, you will learn that you have to accept a new culture to survive. 

When many people move to India, they wonder what they will do for groceries.

Most people imagine going to kirana stores, which are small neighborhood stores that are about 500 square feet.

These stores are operated by the owners to keep costs down and they usually sell the necessities. 

There are also markets you can visit when you move to India.

There are vendors selling fruits, vegetables, meat and other groceries from stalls.

In addition to food, there are a number of other household goods that are sold at the market. 

However, there are also large grocery stores located in India.

This often shocks many expats moving abroad.

When you move to a large city in India, you will see that you will have many modern conveniences.

Food World, Fabmall, MK Retail and Big Bazaar are just some of the supermarkets in Bangalore. 

Even though there are big supermarkets, you will still have to deal with some differences.

The parking at these grocery stores can be very limited, which makes it very difficult to shop.

One tip is to try going during the week so you can avoid the large weekend crowds. 

The grocery stores are much more crowded and the aisles tend to be much narrower.

It can be difficult to maneuver around the stores with so many people packed into a small place.

If you are looking for your favorite foods from back home, they may be hard to find.

Expat websites can be used to ask other Indian expats if you really need to find a particular food item.

However, it is best to learn about the food and brands of food that are easy to find in India.

You will be sure to find things that you like.

After all, you have moved to a new country and you want to be part of their culture. 

With big crowds come big lines.

When you are ready to check out, you will find that the lines tend to be a little longer than what you might have experienced in the United States.

Don’t get frustrated though because you will soon find your way around the stores and get used to the Indian way of life. 

Most large grocery stores will accept credit cards, but be prepared with cash during your first grocery store visit just in case the store is not set up to accept credit.

Many people still pay with cash, but slowly credit cards are being more accepted. 

One great benefit of grocery shopping in India is that many grocery store chains offer home delivery.

You can pick out everything you need and then leave it to the grocery store to deliver it to your doorstep. 

Moving to India will mean you have to adjust to many differences.

Not all of these differences are bad.

If you keep an open mind, you will even see that the differences are not bad at all, but just distinctive to a new culture.

India will provide you with a very rich and rewarding international experience.

When you are ready to move to India, IntlMOVE can help you ship everything you need overseas.

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IntlMOVE – Moving to India and the Tabla

Posted by IntlMOVE on September 14, 2010 · 1 Comment 

Moving to India with IntlMOVE LLC will be a very exciting endeavor for you.

Many people are moving to India because of the opportunities that the country offers.

The culture of India is very remarkable.

The people, the music, the food and the customs are very unique to anywhere else in the world.

India has one of the oldest civilizations, so the culture and history dates back thousands of years.

Music is very much a part of Indian culture and there are many instruments that make up the traditional music.

A tabla is a small drum that has been used in India as part of the culture for a very long time.

The tabla is made with a pair of drums.

The two drums vary in size to make the tabla able to diversify its playing range.

Teak or rosewood is hollowed out to make the base of the smaller drum.

The larger drum that makes up the tabla is made with copper, brass, aluminum, steel, clay or many other different materials.   

Both of the drums are covered in goat or cow skin.

This instrument is used in classical Indian music. 

The origins of the tabla are widely unknown, but many scholars have theories as to how the instrument came about.

The first time this instrument was officially mentioned was in the 18th century.

Other earlier accounts may mention similar instruments, but Ustad Suddhar Khan of Delhi is the first person who is verified to have played the instrument.

There are many other drums that have been used for centuries that date back to the 6th century.

The tabla is different because of the two single-headed drums that make up the instrument. 

The smaller of the two drums on the tabla is played with the dominant or right hand.

This drum is sometimes referred to as dayan.

The larger of the two drums is played with the other hand.

This drum is sometimes referred to as bāyāñ.

The larger drum has a much deeper bass tone. 

When you move to India with IntlMOVE, you may want to learn to play the tabla.

Gharānā is part of Indian tradition and is a term used to describe a lineage of Indian classical music teachings.

There are two styles of tabla gharānā that are recognized in India.

Dilli Baj comes from styles cultivated in Delhi.

Purbi Baj was developed in eastern Delhi.

Some of the gharānā distinctions have been blurred as different styles are combined to create new sounds.

These playing styles and secrets were once highly guarded, but today, information is spread so quickly through word of mouth and students learning the instrument. 

When you move to India, there will be many opportunities for you to take part in the culture of India.

Even if you do not decide to learn how to play the tabla, you can go to many concerts to enjoy the beautiful sounds of the instrument. 

When moving to India, it is important to learn as much as you can from the locals so India can feel more like home.

Let IntlMOVE ship your household goods to India to offer some familiarity in an unfamiliar place.

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Moving to India with IntlMOVE and Hinduism

Posted by IntlMOVE on September 9, 2010 · 1 Comment 

IntlMOVE is your first choice of international movers when moving overseas.

When you do move overseas, there are many things you will need to learn about your new country.

When moving to India, you will have to learn about different religions.

Although these religions might not play a role in your daily life, they can affect work and social interactions.

For this reason, you should make yourself familiar with Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam which are the three most practiced religions in India. 

IntlMOVE LLC  has put together some information on Hinduism to start your learning process.

Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world and has the largest following after Christianity and Islam.

With over one billion practitioners, Hinduism plays an integral role in the life of many people. 

The religion was founded in India, but has spread throughout the world.

About 90 percent of all practicing Hindus live in Southeast Asia.

The Vedas are the original texts, which have evolved to the modern practice of Hinduism.

There are four Vedas – Rg, Sāma, Yajus and Atharva.

The Vedas led the way for the practice of rituals, spiritual insights and the philosophical teachings.

Practicing Hindus do not relate to specific dominations and there are not doctrinal authorities, like the Pope in Christianity.

There are different forms of Hinduism with slightly different beliefs, but all forms of Hinduism are respected in India. 

There are many beliefs that are practiced when becoming a Hindu.

Peaceful interactions are a very important part of this religion as non-violence is one of the most practices of the religion.

Vegetarianism is a large part of Hinduism, so make sure you are aware of this practice before inviting any Hindus to your home for meals.

Yoga is a practice that plays a very important role in the religion.

Although there are many deities worshipped in Hinduism, most Hindus believe that Brahman is the main God.

Brahman may be worshipped as Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti or Brahma. 

There are major themes you can find in Hinduism.

Dharma, which is the word for Hindu’s righteous duties, is one of the major themes.

Karma is the world that describes the rewards or consequences one receives for one’s actions.

Samsara is another word for reincarnation, which is the continuing cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth into a new life.

Moksha is the liberation from samsara. 

There are daily and annual rituals that you will see being practiced in India.

There are various Gods that are recognized and celebrated that have different meanings.

Many Hindus have temples or shrines in their homes to keep their religion close.

There are many festivals to celebrate different occasions in life and annual events. 

Birth, death, marriage are all very important to practicing Hindus.

You will find that family is much more important in India than in other cultures.

 Your employees and bosses may be gone for many days for these events with families.

These celebrations are very elaborate.

Many Westerners find it hard to believe that celebrations for distant relatives are important, but in India, family is regarded higher than anything else. 

When you move to India, learning about major religions will show that you have a high respect for their culture.

Moving overseas to India will be a culturally rich experience for you if you take the time to appreciate the differences.

When you are ready to move to India to learn about the country, contact IntlMOVE to ship your household goods overseas.

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