A Day in the Life: Adjusting to Everyday Life as an NRI
A Day in the Life: Adjusting to Everyday Life as an NRI — Real Tips for Indians Living Abroad
Big changes like moving countries are obvious. But what surprises most NRIs is how small, everyday things can feel so unfamiliar. From how you grocery shop to how you interact with strangers — daily life of Indians abroad can feel completely different from back home.
Adjusting to everyday life as an NRI takes time, but knowing what to expect makes it easier. Here’s a look at what a typical day might feel like for Indians living abroad, and how you can adapt with less stress.
1. Morning: Silence, Schedules, and Self-Dependence
If you’re used to the hustle and noise of Indian mornings — chai boiling, horns honking, maids arriving — your new morning abroad may feel too quiet. No one dropping newspapers. No one yelling in the street.
Also, there’s no house help — you make your own bed, pack your lunch, and wash your own dishes. Everything depends on your routine and time management.
Tips:
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Set a fixed morning schedule — it gives your day structure and control.
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Make time for a chai or coffee ritual — bring that comfort with you.
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Use a task app or planner if you struggle with self-discipline at first.
This quiet may feel strange, but it often becomes your peaceful pocket of the day — something many Indians moving abroad eventually come to love.
2. Grocery Runs Feel Like a Math Puzzle
A simple grocery run abroad can feel surprisingly challenging for most NRIs.
Products are unfamiliar, packaging looks different, and prices are in dollars or euros — which makes you constantly convert them into INR in your head. Even basics like finding Indian groceries abroad such as cumin seeds or paneer might take multiple store visits. And the first time you face a self-checkout machine, it might feel like decoding a puzzle.
Tips:
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Make a detailed shopping list and learn the local names for Indian ingredients before heading out.
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Ask store staff or locals — they’re often happy to help.
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Over time, you’ll discover Indian grocery stores abroad or international supermarkets that stock your favorites.
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Use apps or weekly deals to save money and compare prices.
If you want a broader step-by-step overview of settling in, check out Go Overseas’ Guide to Moving Abroad — it explains everything from packing and budgeting to building new routines once you arrive.
Eventually, you’ll master your local supermarket — and maybe even enjoy the hunt for new flavors.
Many of these small adjustments feel even more surprising when you begin noticing the everyday differences around you, similar to the ones I shared in Strange Everyday Things in the US.
3. Social Life Isn’t Instant
Unlike India, where neighbors drop by or friends call unannounced, social life abroad usually requires planning. People are friendly, but also private and busy.
At first, this can feel lonely. You may not know how to make small talk, and you might miss the casual community feeling of India.
Tips:
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Say yes to invitations, even if they’re outside your comfort zone.
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Be proactive — ask people for coffee or a walk.
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Find Desi groups or attend cultural events in your area.
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Start small: one real connection is better than many acquaintances.
If you’ve ever felt confused by the little cultural differences, reading about the early surprises I faced in Weird Everyday Things That Surprised Me in the U.S. may help you feel less alone.
4. Workplaces Feel More Formal and Direct
Work culture abroad is usually more professional and less personal. Colleagues may be polite but distant. No one asks about your family on day one. Meetings start on time. Deadlines are firm.
This can feel cold at first, but it also teaches clear communication and independence.
Tips:
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Observe how coworkers interact before jumping into conversations.
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Focus on clarity in emails and messages.
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If unsure, ask your manager — they expect it and appreciate initiative.
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Keep your Desi warmth, but match the local style professionally.
You’ll learn how to blend both styles — being efficient yet human. Over time, this balance defines life abroad as an NRI more than any cultural rulebook.
5. Evenings Bring Homesickness — and That’s Okay
When the workday ends and you return home, that’s when the silence hits hardest. No one calling out from the kitchen. No one asking how your day went. No sounds of neighbors, scooters, or temple bells.
This is when homesickness shows up quietly.
Tips:
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Call your family or friends back home regularly.
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Cook Indian food or watch familiar shows to feel closer to home.
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Create an evening ritual — a walk, music, journaling, or chai.
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Remind yourself: this is temporary. It will pass.
Missing home isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a reminder of how deeply connected you are. With time, your new environment will start to feel like your own.
If evenings are when you feel loneliness the most, my experience in How I Handled Homesickness After Leaving India might help you understand these feelings better.
Final Thoughts
Adjusting to everyday life as an NRI isn’t just about big changes — it’s about learning to live differently, one small detail at a time. The routines, the silences, the awkward moments — they all become part of your new normal.
You don’t need to rush the process. You’re doing something incredibly brave by starting over in a new land. So take it one day at a time — and know that you’re adjusting beautifully, even on the hard days.
