You have decided to move to Cyprus. You have packed your bags, sorted out your new home in Cyprus and here you are, where really want to be.  

But there will come a time when the initial excitement dies down and you may well feel the odd twinge of homesickness from time to time. It is little comfort that this is a sensation that most people feel when they move, nor will it help much when I tell you that there will come a time that you will feel perfectly at home in Cyprus…However, there are a few things that you can do to help the process along – things that made my own move easier and hopefully may do the same for you.

Introduce yourself to your neighbours. This is number one on the list. If they are Greek, don’t worry about the fact that you may not be able to speak the language: your friendly gesture will be appreciated and you will at least have made a move to introduce yourself and your family to the community.

Learn to speak a little Greek if you don’t do so already.  This is VERY important if you are going to be living in Cyprus permanently. There are lots of ways to learn; the best way I have been told is to totally immerse yourself in the sound of Greek, whether out and about, watching TV or listening to the radio. Think about it: this is how you learnt your mother tongue, by listening.

News bulletins are good: the presenters are often clearer and more concise than in a sitcom or a film. A friend of mine has learnt a lot of Greek, and she maintains that she keeps a dictionary with her at all times. The moment she hears a word she doesn’t understand, she looks it up immediately and repeats it over and over…Also you may want to ask around: you may find that Greek lessons are free in some parts of the country for EU residents.

Invitations: take the initiative. You might like to throw a little house warming party? Maybe it’s Halloween, Easter, Christmas? Seize upon any excuse and just invite a few neighbours around. You may ask them to bring along a couple of their friends too…? A few snacks and a bottle of wine (or two!) will soon get tongues wagging and hands gesticulating!

Buy your local newspaper. You may find that there is a local English newspaper - many expats set up ways to keep in touch and it could be worth getting hold of it. It may well allow you to tap into the local gossip and events that you could perhaps join in with. Things like book clubs, play groups for kids etc all mean that you meet local people.

Shop locally, at least to begin with. This may not be the best option economically but it will allow you to meet your neighbour. Chatting in local shops is common in Cyprus: learn how to say ‘hello’ and greet all and sundry…you’ll soon get to know people.

Don’t discount your local church. Many churches welcome newcomers to town by offering advice and assistance plus you may be roped in to help with a fete, selling Christmas cards for charity or some such event – an ideal way to meet people.

Join an expat club. Yes, you are going to fit in and be part of your new country but that doesn’t mean to say that you can’t have a few English friends too.  Ask around at the local church or perhaps an estate agent who has sold homes to Brits…

Join a club. You would be surprised how effective this is. After all, you immediately have something in common with the people you meet here – a common interest. For instance, walking clubs are a great idea: you keep fit, get to know Cyprus better AND get to meet people who enjoy walking too…I have found this a really great way to meet like-minded people and have made a number of great friends this way.

Like so many things in life, it may all seem a little intimidating at first. Cyprus is a country that is culturally very different to the UK but the key is to embrace these differences, not fight them. Some of the bureaucracy that you encounter on a day to day basis may be frustrating, but wasn’t it this slower pace that enchanted you about the country in the first place?

Relax…and soon it will feel like home to you.