Leaving home for higher education or better employment is a tumultuous time in every individual’s life. The excitement of moving out, gaining freedom, and living on your terms is mixed with apprehensions about a new environment, and getting used to a completely new place. While most people look back at their hostel days with nostalgia and fondness, it takes some time to get comfortable and make oneself at home. If you are traversing to a place that has completely different cultural practices and an unfamiliar language, adapting to it can be quite challenging. For instance, if you are a Northerner moving to the South and living as a paying guest in Chennai, there are certain things you can do to make the transition easier.
Jump Ahead To:
Interact with People
This might sound easier than it is. If you’ve moved to an alien environment with a language that you don’t comprehend and where the food looks and tastes unfamiliar, your focus would rather be on settling in and figuring out your lifestyle support. As such, interacting with the people around you might be the last thing on your mind. However, remember that trying to talk to people around you, despite the language barrier, might be your first step towards picking up some of the conversational terms that will help you navigate the city. And who knows, you might even end up forming a lasting friendship. You should also try to get to know the people who operate the PG. Building a rapport there can help you get familiar with local practices and even enable you to convey your likes and dislikes to them, so you can find a middle ground when it comes to key services like food quality and taste, housekeeping, etc. Social interactions are always helpful when adapting to new environments
Personalize your space
Creating a comfort zone for yourself in the confines of your room can be quite therapeutic. A familiar space can include pictures of your friends and family, your favorite cushion, a gaming setup, or that stuffed toy you have been holding on to for ages. This might sound infantile but know that everyone feels a little homesick initially and surrounding yourself with objects of sentimental value can provide a safety net for you to retreat to. This will go a long way towards making your PG or hostel in Chennai a second home.
Eat Local Delicacies
When in Rome, one must do as the Romans do. If you enjoy south Indian cuisine, Chennai is the best place in the world to experience it. If you are unfamiliar with its true range, now would be a good opportunity to try local delicacies and discover what you like. Ideally, your PG should serve fresh and delicious local food since there is no dearth of ingredients and dishes in Chennai. Developing a taste for local food will speed up your adaptation process while giving you a well- rounded palate. There are professionally managed accommodation operators like Stanza Living who offer a menu that is a tasty blend of regional cuisine and a more generalized set of dishes that suit every palate. Perhaps they can help you find your brand of comfort food in your accommodation. After all, comfort food is synonymous with homeliness.
Indulge in Activities
Group recreational activities can accelerate social interactions while helping you get familiar with your immediate surroundings. Professionally managed accommodations often include recreational and interactive sessions for the residents which double as an opportunity to interact with the people around you. Group activities not only improve camaraderie but can be very helpful in getting you accustomed to new surroundings. Activities like game and movie nights, festive celebrations, music, and dance events, and others create a comforting environment in a hostel or PG.
A professionally managed accommodation like Stanza Living offers spacious rooms, extensive menus along with recreational activities and workshops for holistic development. When your daily needs like laundry, cleaning, and meals are taken care of, getting used to a new place becomes much easier. These accommodations are designed to offer you the best services while creating a homely environment for you to thrive in. Unlike conventional living spaces, these accommodations offer state-of-the-art amenities while providing a nurturing environment for their residents.
