Sometimes, when you move to another culture, you will experience a loss of connection to the culture, and the people around you.  This can leave you feeling isolated and lonely, especially if you haven’t been able to make new friends.

One way you can help reconnect to others is by doing something special for someone you don’t know.  The other day, I went to Coney Island, outside Manhattan.  While there, I won several stuffed animals by winning a bunch of the games there.  On the subway ride back home, a small girl of about 3, and her parents, sat behind me.  I turned around and asked her parents if she might like to have some stuffed animals.  They graciously accepted, and I handed over 2 of them.  This little girl hugged and hugged them, it really touched my heart.  It was a bit like Christmas morning, she absolutely loved the animals, and it made me feel like I had given my prized puppy to a really good home.

A couple nearby noticed what I had done, and complimented me on my actions.  I was overwhelmed with sentiment, and almost cried.  Something so simple had brought about such touching emotion, and connection, with people I didn’t know.

So, I pass this along to you – if you’re feeling lonely and isolated wherever you have relocated, try doing a random act of kindness – actually look out for anyone you might help.  You could hold a door open for someone, help someone carry a heavy bag to their car, give something away….however you envision serving others.

* For more ideas on making new friends, click here! *

I’ve mentioned before that volunteering is one of the absolute best ways to meet new people, and feel less isolated.

Today, in my capacity as a Big Apple Greeter, I took a lovely French couple around New York to show them parts of the city they wouldn’t get to see on their own.  They ended up teaching me a lot, too!  It’s always fascinating to me how a foreign pair of eyes on a place you know so well you take it for granted, helps you find novelty.  They marveled at a barber shop in Chinatown which still looked like something out of a Hollywood film from the 1940s, and were amazed at a parking lot that had cars parked above others via a raised platform, requiring the bottom car to be moved out of the way, to get to the car on top.

We also got to speak about cultural differences – this is another wonderful experience – getting a slice of life that you might otherwise not get.  My choice of volunteer jobs allows me to meet people from many different cultures, and nationalities, and to speak many different languages.  Each time I volunteer, I am overjoyed by the types of people I get to meet, and the in-depth conversations and shared learning that ensues.

The other wonderful part about forming these relationships is that you never know who you’ll meet.  It turned out that the couple I took around New York is from a city in France that my cousin is visiting next week.  They very kindly offered to help her around while she’s there! 

So, once again, I’m demonstrating here how the act of volunteering can have so many different rewarding experiences – if you’re hoping to meet new people, make sure to find something to volunteer for!

In case you didn’t see the ads in the US – starting in January, you’ll be able to offer your volunteer services in exchange for a free day at Walt Disney!

Click here for the details – don’t miss your chance to volunteer, meet new friends, and get a free day at Disney!!

If you’ve followed my writing for a while, then you know that volunteering is one of the things I recommend for many reasons.  Well, today was my first time volunteering as a Big Apple Greeter and I had a great time!

First, I got introduced to something I had never done in all my time here in New York – Gospel singing!  Camille and Amelie, the delightful women I spent the day with, wanted to see Gospel singing, so we asked for suggestions in a deli near their hotel, and headed up to 125th street where we were treated to first-hand gospel singing!

 Next, we headed to Chinatown where we ate delicious Dim Sum at a banquet hall deep within Chinatown.

Most of the food was a total wager – it was hard to understand the waitresses, and having no idea how half the food tasted, we just braved it, and ended up eating some excellent food!  And, to boot, we were stuffed for only $8 each!  We had dumplings, spring rolls, pork bun, and a fantastic dessert I would never have ventured if not for our fun day together.

We did some tourist shopping in Little Italy – I love NY t-shirts, and post cards so that Camille and Amelie could write home.

All-in-all, it was a wonderful day, and a great experience.  Here’s what I loved:

1 - I got to show wonderful people parts of the city I know well, and introduce them to experiences they might not otherwise have had.
2 – I got to meet two great people!
3 – I was able to speak French all day – wonderful to keep my fluency in check, and also to stay connected with France, a culture and country I love.  (This is for any of you that have repatriated, or will repatriate – always a good idea to do something to keep tied to the country you are leaving if you miss it!)
4 – I got to do something I love, and work towards repaying all the initiative of the wonderful people I met overseas who have helped me find my way over the years

It’s official, I am a Big Apple Greeter!  I had my orientation this week, and can now start welcoming people to New York with time spent with a New Yorker, and a neighborhood tour through the eyes of a local.  What I love about this is that we are NOT tour guides, so rather than visiting the Empire State Building, the Metropolitan Museum, etc., we get to show you a slice of life in New York, or streets and places you would not normally visit by taking a tour, or using a guidebook.

Here’s why I’m so excited about this experience –

Big Apple Greeter attracts volunteers from all walks of life.  So, during my orientation, I got to sit in a room with ten wonderful people who I otherwise might not have met, and learn about the fascinating things that other people do.

I get to use some of my favorite skills – I’ll be able to use my foreign languages with tourists, share my excitement about New York, and hopefully make more friends from the experience.

All of these concepts are essential when you move someplace new and don’t know many people.  But, for those of you who have lived in another city for a year or more, this is a wonderful volunteer opportunity you might consider.

To read more on why I love this opportunity for expatriates, trailing spouses, and relocated professionals, click here.

For information on Big Apple Greeters, click here.

And, if you live someplace outside New York, then click here to find out if there is a Greeter program where you live!