Key facts
- A woman moved from the US to New Zealand 10 years ago for love.
- She is happy with the move but identifies seven things she would do differently.
- Regrets include not researching New Zealand before moving and not exploring it like a tourist.
- She also wishes she had networked professionally, found her own friend group, and signed up for in-person classes.
- She advises honoring homesickness and doing iconic local activities.
Ashlyn Oswalt moved from the United States to New Zealand nearly 10 years ago after meeting her partner. She is happy with the decision, is married to him, and has built a life for herself. However, looking back, she wishes she had prepared and transitioned differently. Oswalt suggests treating a new city like a vacation spot and researching it beforehand, as she did not do this for New Zealand and felt disconnected upon arrival. She also recommends giving oneself time to settle in, rather than immediately jumping into a routine, and planning weekends away or taking time off to explore. Professionally, she advises networking even if already employed, as she discovered the importance of connections in New Zealand when seeking a new job. Oswalt stresses the importance of finding one's own friend group, rather than solely relying on a partner's social circle, suggesting activities like joining social sports teams or classes. She also recommends signing up for in-person classes, such as cooking or art, to get out of the house and meet new people. Additionally, she advises embracing local culture by doing iconic activities, like understanding and participating in rugby fandom in New Zealand. Finally, Oswalt suggests not being afraid to honor homesickness, as it is a normal feeling and does not necessarily indicate unhappiness with one's current situation.