Your posting has come to an end, and you must say goodbye to the place you’ve called home for the past several years. There are probably a number of things you will miss. But it’s not all sad because moving back to Canada means moving to a familiar place. Here are five things to do when you move back to Canada.
Buy your favourite snacks / foods.
While you probably discovered new favourite foods in your host nation's supermarkets, there are surely things you missed from Canada. Perhaps it’s microwavable popcorn, Kraft peanut butter, or ketchup chips. Your first few trips to the grocery store will be fun as you rediscover the things you used to love eating before moving away.
Visit your favourite stores.
When living in Canada, you took the stores you visited for granted. You knew what you would find at Canadian Tire, Michael’s or Staples, and didn’t have to wonder where you could buy a screwdriver or some felt. Living abroad, you had to learn what your local stores sold. There is something incredibly comforting in going back to familiar stores and knowing what you’ll find there.
Go to your favourite chain restaurants.
While the food outside Canada can be incredible, sometimes, you crave the restaurants that were part of the fabric of your life in Canada. Going back means enjoying a meal at Boston Pizza, a doughnut at Tim Horton’s, or a burger at A&W. You might not be eating pasta in Italy or Lamingtons in Australia anymore, but these restaurants taste like home, and there is nothing quite like it.
Discover new places to make it feel like home.
What makes a city feel like home? I believe it is the places that become part of your routine. A coffee shop you stop at on your way to work. A park you take your dog on walks every week. A restaurant you go to for date night. Moving back to Canada might mean moving back to a place familiar to you, but it might also mean moving to a new city and building a home all over again. Take the time to explore your new home (even if it’s familiar) and discover the places that will make it comfortable and fun.
Plan a trip to see your friends and family
One of the best things about moving back to Canada is being closer to friends and family. Even if you didn’t move back to the same city or your hometown, at least you're in the same country as your loved ones. Take advantage and visit your family and friends that you might not have seen in months/years.