Moving my family across three countries taught me unexpected lessons

I've moved my family across three countries — Australia, Switzerland, and the United States — and before each move I romanticized starting over: charming cafés, weekend adventures, a new community. What I didn't expect was that making friends would turn out to be one of the easier parts.

The invisible difficulties were harder: navigating unfamiliar healthcare systems, finding suitable housing, and carrying the mental load of rebuilding everyday life. Before moving to Switzerland I worried about loneliness and tried too hard to fit in. I said yes to everything, introduced myself to everyone, and pushed to form friendships quickly, which felt awkward.

When I stepped back and focused on building a life — joining writing groups, taking classes, finding work — the friendships that formed were steadier because they grew from shared interests. Some of those people remain close friends even now, despite different time zones.

Australia, Switzerland, United States

moving family, australia, switzerland, united states, making friends, healthcare systems, housing, mental load, loneliness, writing groups