How to Fit into a New Team After Moving Abroad

1. Know where you’re going before you get there

A quick Google search won’t cut it. Go a bit deeper:

• Learn the basics: public transport, housing, insurance, taxes.
• Ask HR or future teammates for a local guide: how they live, what to know before landing.
• Join the company chats early (if that’s allowed). It’ll help later.

2. Figure out “how things are done here”

In Serbia, it’s normal to casually chat with your manager by the coffee machine. In Germany — better not interrupt during meetings.

• Read up on workplace culture in the country.
• Don’t be afraid to ask: “How do you usually do this here?” — totally fine.
• And yep, messing up at first is also fine.

3. Ask for a buddy

Ask if someone can be your go-to person at first. Informally. A buddy can:

• show you how stuff works;
• explain where to look when something breaks;
• tell you when not to message the boss 🙂
  If the company has others who’ve relocated — meet them early.

4. Don’t hide behind tasks

Feel like just “doing your job and staying quiet”? That won’t help you settle in.

• Join colleagues for lunch — even if the language is tricky.
• Say yes to coffee. Yes, even if you’re an introvert.
• React in the group chat — even just with emojis.
  This isn’t small talk for the sake of it. It’s how you become part of the team.

5. Language isn’t a barrier

No one expects you to be fluent. But:

• learn the key phrases for work;
• write down new words after meetings;
• ask people to slow down a bit — that’s totally normal.
  Give it a couple of weeks and you’ll be catching the vibe without needing to translate.

6. Don’t skip the after-hours stuff

• Ask teammates where they hang out after work.
• Join team meetups — even if you don’t know everyone yet.
• Suggest your own idea — a board game, a burger night, whatever.
  Even one event outside the office can help a lot.

7. And simply… stay connected

• Ask when something’s unclear.
• Share your own experience.
• Be open — and people will meet you halfway.

A real story

Petar moved from Armenia to Belgrade. On day two, he asked a teammate to grab lunch. On day four, he joined in on some Slack banter. By the end of week one, he knew who drinks which kind of coffee. By week four, he was already going on weekend trips with the team.

Bottom line

You don’t have to adapt overnight.
But you can make it easier — by showing a little initiative.
Ask, help out, invite someone for a coffee — and boom, you’re part of the team.
Oh, and don’t forget to tell us how it went 😉