Boo2008

Thread title says it all really.....

Been here 9 weeks and wondering what on earth I am doing....struggling to make some buddies and missing the ones I have at home.

Any tips for getting through the newbie phase without panicking and flying home??

Boo

Tramps_mate

I felt like that at first. Maybe 2-3 weeks. Especially having left the kids at home. But they will be out here soon enough to join me.

Do you not have work mates you can socialise with a bit? Did you come on your own? Iv been here 9-10 weeks too. The feeling comes and goes and is pretty natural to be honest. You need to get yourself out and about.

Where are you by the way?

Alfresco

Are you on your own or with family?

We joined an expat club and made local friends that way. Have more friends here than in the UK.

If you're just sitting at home, you'll get bored and homesick very quickly. Need to get out and about.

Tramps_mate

I found when I was sat alone and had time to think was when I felt worst.. You need to keep occupied.

As mentioned get out, join a club or a gym or something! Buy a mountain bike and go out riding.. Literally anything to keep you occupied and social circles will grow..

Boo2008

Just me in Brisbane - came over for work but no-one there seems to socialise which I understand as it's the kind of job that you just want to get out and go home after.

I guess its a bit of a vicious circle - the more homesick you feel the less likely you are to want to get out and about - the more homesick you feel

Hoping to ride out the blues if they don't last too long.......can't afford a flight back haha!!

Boo

Tramps_mate

What do you do and where in Brisbane are you? Im in Bris aswell Northside..

Pollyana

Quite a few of us Brisbanites on here, I'm another northsider. Whereabouts are you and whereabouts are you working? I'm a City Witch at present, always up for a beer after work if you are in the CBD
Also have a look for the threads on Christmas in July, its a huge meet, on the Gold Coast but loads of us go down from Brisbane for it; beer, football, gossip, new mates - fantastic day out :thumbup;

GarryP

www.meetup.com

Find some groups that interest you and turn up to some get togethers.

spuddyo

When i spent the first few months in Sydney alone with no friends I felt the same, but then when looking for long-term accomodation found a 'shared house' and became friends with my housemates. From there I met heaps of new people through friends of friends.

Sharing a place may not be an ideal situation if you like your own space, but for meeting people it's a great way to make a start. Also living in the right area helps. I was in the Sydney area so decided to live in Manly which has a huge social 'scene' and a non-stop holiday atmosphere. I could go out alone in the evenings and always meet new people, residents and holiday makers too. Looking back it was the best 3 years of my life - I had so much fun back then and often wish i could turn the clock back.

I'm not sure whether Brisbane has a suberb like that, i've only ever stayed at Kangaroo Point when on business but still had fun there. many a great night out at the Story Bridge hotel. Good luck with it, I'm sure when you meet the right people and get a few friends everything will get better.

rebecca.hartstrom

You'll get over that feeling soon. Skype with your old friends back at home or use your social networks. And chat up with the people of oz, we're all nice.

mjkworldwide

Sometimes it feels like it will be an impossible situation to change and you can't imagine it getting better - don't let your brain trick you! Friends can come from the strangest places/situations and it won't be long until you start to meet people. Took me 9 months to feel reasonably socially settled.. so don't give up yet

Pollyana

your posts are getting dafter by the minute, I hope your career advice is better than your advice in other subjects