First of all, it's called a "foreign country" for a reason. It's foreign to you. If you remember that, than you are way ahead.

In my experience, people think that moving across a large body of water such as, let's say...an ocean isn't a big deal. Especially my American friends.

"Yeah, so I'm moving to Iceland. But it's okay, they have Burger King!"

I so badly want to shake them and say, "Dude! Get real. It's Iceland!"

Sure, there may be a Burger King. But it doesn't hide the fact that it's a whole other world. Different cultures, different language, different food, different people. Just different.

I moved to Germany, lived there for 4 years and I fell in love with the country and their culture. When I first stepped foot off of the dreadfully long flight from Atlanta to Frankfurt, besides wanting to kiss the ground, I looked around and thought, "Holy *beep*, I'm in Germany!" As if it hadn't donned on me before..like when I was packing, or quitting my job, or saying goodbye to my friends or buying a plane ticket or just boarding the plane for a 15 hour flight. No, it was as if it had hit me when I stepped onto the tarmac.

I remember getting in my friend's little beat up Beamer (they're everywhere) and getting onto the AutoBahn. WOW! You would think I had never been in a car before. I was mesmerized by the fact that people were flying by us going at least 100 MPH. No joke. It's that fast there. (I learned to love being a speed demon, until I returned to the good 'ole USA where we have those pesky speed limits).

To truly survive moving to another country, you have to get down with their culture. It's amazing the way things switch up so easily.

Mickey D's isn't the same as you know it. Oh no, my friends. It is completely different. I learned that my first day in country. I thought the same as my friends did about BK. "Ooh, McDonalds. Safe choice." I learned my lesson.

Get to know the language. However hard it is. German is a difficult language to learn. I didn't understand why everyone went around spitting on each other. But that's the language. Lot's of spitting and sounds that resemble hocking up a lugie. But it's an amazing language with lot's of fun words. It took a long time, but eventually, I picked it up. I also learned that if you attempt to speak in their language (even if you chop it up horribly) they will answer you in English and appreciate your efforts. Same thing in Spain. (Had a hard time with that in France, couldn't even order breakfast, what a disaster.)

Get to know the people. They are just as curious about you as you are about them. They only know what they see on tv, and vice versa. Just because Hitler is associated with Germany, doesn't mean the whole culture revolves around that era. Not even close. The Germans are the most polite and friendly people I have ever met. I considered converting. But I love my USA. So, I didn't.

Get out of the house. Go have fun. Explore. Take an adventure. Sightsee, don't be afraid to be a tourist at first. Be afraid to be a "bad tourist". If that's your deal...too bad for you. But if you are polite, they will be polite.

And finally, just live it. It's amazing. Most people never leave their town, much less the country. I know people twice my age who have never left the state. Take the time to travel and get to know your new home. It's worth it.