2020-12-16
The ultimate
goal of any expat is simple: wherever they may be moving to, you want to be
able to call your destination of choice “home”. From enjoying the local food to
spending your free time getting to know your new city, you will be acquiring a
sense of comfort and belonging that cannot be bought (it’s more than simply
buying the right furniture).
That’s why
such a feeling is often induced by the interactions that you could have with
locals. Small things, like ordering coffee or having a successful conversation
with someone in the local language are steppingstones towards a more general
feeling of integration that will become strong, the more time that you spend in
a new place.
These small,
everyday changes to your lifestyle can me made with sustainability in mind. And,
if we think about it, we can recognize that many of these changes serve a dual
purpose: when you act in the best interest of the planet, you will often find
yourself acting in the best interest of your local community, too, giving back
to the people that have welcomed you, and helped you to settle in.
For example,
shop local. We’ve seen it everywhere and even more now since the pandemic: spend
your money with local retailers rather than with bigger chains. Now is more
convenient than ever to shop in sites that offer one-day delivery but this
convenience creates its own issues: the biggest online retailers have seen
profits boom as people have been encouraged to stay inside. Meanwhile, smaller
companies have been forced to shut down due to financial pressure.
Fortunately,
many of your favorite local shops now have websites, filled with clothing,
accessories, furniture, and food that are more likely to have been produced
nearby. If you can’t find a website, take a walk around the neighborhood to see
what is on offer! Also, shopping locally is an investment in your community,
for the money that you spend here remains largely in the pockets of those who
served you at the shop.
Another example:
volunteer with a local charity or NGO. Maybe you can invest a couple of hours
after work or over the weekend, but spending a bit of time with organizations
which are active within your local community can make a huge difference. There
is almost certainly a group out there looking for volunteers that will suit
your particular interests, and spending some time with them is yet another
great way to meet like-minded people in your local area and learn more about
the city.
So, now we
can see how many of the things that you can do to live more sustainably can
also move you closer to coming to see your new community as a ”home”: they
often lead to more face-to-face interactions with fantastic people living in
your community, who care about their home, and want to encourage you to do the
same.
TAGS: community