Moving to another country is a completely different experience from anything I had experienced before. This is my first time living on my own, and on top of that, my first time living outside Peru, so the beginning has definitely been challenging.
Since I am a Spanish speaker, the company connected me with another architect at Arkitek who also speaks Spanish and was able to help me with everything related to the move and getting settled. It was such a kind gesture, and I really appreciated having someone who could give me real, practical advice about what to expect and how to get things done.
Even with that help, I have to say that living in another country is not easy at first. There are so many things to organize before you can even start feeling settled. You have to think about groceries, kitchen utensils, cleaning supplies, basic things like sheets and blankets, and all those little things you normally don’t think twice about when you already have a home.
Because of this, I would definitely recommend arriving at least 10 days before your first day of work if possible. Having those extra days gives you time to get your home ready, learn where everything is, and take care of important things like your Social Security Number process without having to miss work or feel rushed.
These first few weeks have been quite intense. I have been trying to find my own routine, understand how everything works in this new place, figure out where everything is, and discover what activities I can do around Ashland. There is definitely a lot to learn when you are starting from scratch.
For now, I have to admit that I am exhausted! But little by little, I am getting more settled and starting to feel more comfortable. I know that with time, things will become easier, and I am excited to see how this new experience develops.
