The community around Pleasant Grove Methodist Church is home to a large immigrant population. I am proud of the diversity in our community. One of my church's 3 main goals as we share the love of Jesus is to build new relationships. We would love to build a new relationship with you. We invite you to come join our church family and experience the unique advantages of being part of our church.
I'm pleased to share a guest blog by Jason Lewis that highlights the importance of community and how participation in a local church can benefit immigrants.
About our Guest Blogger: Jason Lewis is a personal trainer by day and the primary caretaker of his mom after her surgery. He writes for StrongWell.org and enjoys creating fitness programs that cater to the needs of people over 65.
4 Ways to Stay Grounded as a New
Immigrant to the US
Traveling to a new country is a big step.
Now that you’re in the United States, what’s next? You might feel unsure about
how to reach out to others or where to find support. Immigrating can be
challenging emotionally and culturally, but there are ways to stay grounded
while adapting to your new home.
Find New Community
Connecting with other people is the best
way to start feeling more comfortable in the US. You can form friendships and
learn about your new home by reaching out to the community. A great way to find
friends and support is by joining a local church like Pleasant
Grove United Methodist. Attending services and forming fellowship
with those who share your beliefs supports your spiritual path in life. The
church can also offer a social platform that helps you feel less alone as you
navigate your new country.
Nurture Your Connections
Missing your loved ones left behind can
be a complicated feeling. While moving to the US offers you new opportunities,
it also means being far away from those you love. Fortunately, technology makes it simpler than ever to reach
out even if you’re thousands of miles apart. From video chatting to updates via
social media, finding ways to stay in touch with your friends and family is
an excellent way to boost your mood anytime you feel stressed out or homesick.
Help Family at Home
One of the positive impacts of
immigrating to the US might be the opportunity to support your family back
home. In fact, the United Nations highlights the importance of these remittances
for people living below the poverty line all over the world. If you’re able to
offer financial support to your loved ones, you may feel more empowered and
less homesick. After all, if you moved to the US to help support your family in
India, that fact could help you adjust to your new routines and
responsibilities. When the time comes to send money to family, avoid prepaid
cards or sending cash, and instead opt for a transfer service that delivers
funds on your timeline. A platform like Remitly makes it easy
to send funds home to India, and you’ll never pay more than $3.99
for a transfer.
Build a Professional Network
Many people choose to immigrate to the
United States for professional and personal opportunities. If your profession is the reason for your move,
building your network could help you achieve your goals while you develop
deeper skills in your field. In fact, Pew Research notes that the number of
immigrant workers who hold high-skill jobs is increasing in the US. From collaborative
projects to conventions (online or otherwise) and even attending social events
with co-workers, there are countless ways to strengthen professional connections. You never know what
opportunities might come up when you have the right contacts in your field.
Making the decision to immigrate to the
US is a big step, but it’s also a chance to change your life, learn new things,
and make connections that could be instrumental in building your new life.
Taking these steps to become more connected in your new home while keeping in
touch with your roots is a great way to build on your past while looking to the
future.
Photo via Pixabay