A Day in the Life: Adjusting to Everyday Life as an NRI

 

 

It’s the Little Things That Hit the Hardest

Big changes like moving countries are obvious. But what surprises most NRIs is how small, everyday things feel unfamiliar. From how you grocery shop to how you interact with strangers — daily life 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, 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:

• Set a fixed morning schedule — it gives your day structure and control
• Make time for a chai or coffee ritual — bring that comfort with you
• 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.

2. Grocery Runs Feel Like a Math Puzzle

A simple grocery run can suddenly become complicated:

• Products are different
• Packaging is unfamiliar
• Prices are in dollars or euros
• You keep converting everything to INR in your head

Even basics like finding cumin seeds or paneer might take multiple store visits. And you’ll probably stand staring at self-checkout machines the first few times.

Tips:

• Make a shopping list and learn the local names of ingredients
• Ask store staff — most are happy to help
• Over time, you’ll find Indian or international stores that stock your favorites
• Use weekly deals and apps to save money

Eventually, you’ll master your local supermarket — and maybe even enjoy it.

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:

• Say yes to invitations, even if they’re outside your comfort zone
• Be proactive — ask people for coffee or a walk
• Find Desi groups or attend cultural events in your area
• Start small: one real connection is better than many acquaintances

Don’t wait for friendships to happen — you often have to build them intentionally.

Check out Weird Everyday Things In The US for more everyday differences that surprised me.

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:

• Observe how coworkers interact before jumping into conversations
• Focus on clarity in emails and messages
• If unsure, ask your manager — they expect it and appreciate initiative
• Keep your Desi warmth, but match the local style professionally

You’ll learn how to blend both styles — being efficient but human.

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:

• Call your family or friends back home regularly
• Cook Indian food or watch familiar shows to feel closer to home
• Create an evening ritual — a walk, music, journaling, or chai
• 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.

Final Thoughts

Life abroad 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.

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