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Disappointed....homesick already

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Hello

I can't quite believe I am writing this but anyway....

I arrived not less than a week ago and already I feel very homesick.

I don't know why but I feel trapped and claustrophobic. I made a big move from the UK to Germany almost two years ago and I adjusted well, even though I had hardly spent any time there previously. I spent my life in the UK by the coast and the countryside and in Germany the countryside and I was able to drive home to the UK pretty much whenever I wanted. There is no sea or countryside here, I can't go for a walk into town, sit at a street café, go to a park. The strange thing is I have been to the US many times and have spent long periods of time here so know how everything is/works but now everything seems so different. I realise that this is not a holiday but I never expected to feel like this at all.

I'm beginning to feel like I've made a mistake coming here and I don't know what to do.

Has anybody else felt like this after such a short time in the US?

I'm from the UK, hubby is from Michigan and is a retired US Army LTC.   We are currently stationed overseas.

Here is our immigration journey so far....

10.26.13 - Our wedding in Scotland 

11.26.14 - Filed I-130 at US Consulate, Frankfurt (DCF)

11.18.14 - Returned to Scotland to renew our vows for our first wedding anniversary

01.08.15 - NOA2 received in snail mail, together with case number and Packet 3 instructions

02.15.15 - Submitted Packet 3

02.17.15 - Packet 4 received by email with instructions to schedule medical and interview

02.18.15 - Email authorisation received from Consulate to gain access to appointment calendar

03.03.15 - Medical

03.18.15 - Interview - Approved

03.21.15 - Visa in hand

06.10.15 - POE Chicago (final destination Detroit)

07.20.15 - Received SSN in mail

07.27.15 - Received 2 year green card in mail

The journey to ROC starts here...!

10.05.15 - Returned to Germany on government orders

05.25.17 - Mailed ROC package to California Service Centre

06.14.17 - Received NOA 1 (dated 05.30.17) in mail

09.05.18 - Received a second NOA (dated 08.11.18) in mail granting a further six months extension to green card due to 'processing delays'

11.26.18 - ROC - Approved

12.05.18 - Approval Notice I-797 received in mail

12.18.18 - 10 year green card received in mail

The journey to citizenship starts here...!

 

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Filed: Country: Monaco
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Only you can know what you're feeling and what you want to do next. Since you're married I would urge you to discuss this with your spouse. Consider that as a retired Army officer's wife chances are you can get on a transport and visit Europe virtually for free any time you want.

Good luck.

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When we move we can sometimes be under the influence of a holiday.

We've been there before we know the place, we had fun, so we think that moving there would be no different.

But for the most part it is, it's a huge step up routing your life and moving, mindset that it would just be like your holidays but hen you realise it isn't.

Don't feel bad that you feel like this, and your partner might not understand, my husband doesn't, and that's because he's never had to do it, he's never moved countries and given up his life for one person.

It's a very hard thing to do.

Be proud that you made that commitment and give it time, it can take a while to feel at home, especially when you know no one, have no job, can't get anywhere by yourself.

Just know that it will change, you'll start to build a life up for yourself here too.

It's hard and scary and you may get depressed, I certainly have, especially sky ping with my family at Christmas, and now it's almost been a year since I've seen them, but it's starting to feel better.

Just give it time and you'll find your place.

My Name is Daisy, I am British, I say things bluntly and to the point.
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NOA1 (all 3): 17/11/2014

NOA1 (all 3) hardcopy: 24/11/2014(Notice date 20th)

Bio-metrics App letter: 28/11/2014(Notice date 21st)

Bio-metrics App Cleveland Ohio: 10/12/2014

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that is the problem am contemplation now, i move from Amsterdam(holland) to UK years a go and i was fine, free movement etc. but now thinking of moving to USA, is so scary. i really understand how you feel, because in UK you can go for a walk, take a bus etc. please try and find something to occupy yoursef. talk more with hubby and let him, maybe you can come home for some holiday.

This is the greatest lesson a child can learn. It is the greatest lesson anyone can learn. It has been the greatest lesson I have learned: if you persevere, stick w/it, work @ it, you have a real opportunity to achieve something. Sure, there will be storms along the way. And you might not reach your goal right away. But if you do your best and keep a true compass, you'll get there. Edward M. Kennedy,

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Sound advice being offered in this thread. So I won't veer much from it. I will only add to keep your spouse involved in your feelings. Don't be afraid to express your feelings to him. You can't change how you feel. Neither can he. But he can help you cope, if you let him. It's a transition that you have to make. He can merely help you. That will strengthen your bond to each other.

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Service Center : California Service Center

NOA2017-09-01

Biometrics : 2017-09-28

ROC Approved 2019-01-17

 

AOS Timeline!

Marriage : 2015-01-10

AOS/EAD/AP NOA : 2015-01-20

Biometrics : 2015-02-17

EAD/AP Approved : 2015-03-17

NPIW : 2015-06-11

AOS Approved : 2015-11-24

 

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Transferred? No

Consulate : Frankfurt, Germany

I-129F NOA1 : 2014-03-11

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
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~~Moved to Moving to the US and Your New Life in America from General Immigration Discussion~~

Spoiler

Met Playing Everquest in 2005
Engaged 9-15-2006
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Filed 10-17-11
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Interview 05/29/14

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
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Move to Colorado.

We do not have a sea, we have lakes.

But we have all the other things you mention.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

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Thanks everyone. Always nice to know I'm not alone!

Boiler, funnily enough I mentioned Colorado to my husband...as a ski fanatic I know I would feel right at home there!

I'm from the UK, hubby is from Michigan and is a retired US Army LTC.   We are currently stationed overseas.

Here is our immigration journey so far....

10.26.13 - Our wedding in Scotland 

11.26.14 - Filed I-130 at US Consulate, Frankfurt (DCF)

11.18.14 - Returned to Scotland to renew our vows for our first wedding anniversary

01.08.15 - NOA2 received in snail mail, together with case number and Packet 3 instructions

02.15.15 - Submitted Packet 3

02.17.15 - Packet 4 received by email with instructions to schedule medical and interview

02.18.15 - Email authorisation received from Consulate to gain access to appointment calendar

03.03.15 - Medical

03.18.15 - Interview - Approved

03.21.15 - Visa in hand

06.10.15 - POE Chicago (final destination Detroit)

07.20.15 - Received SSN in mail

07.27.15 - Received 2 year green card in mail

The journey to ROC starts here...!

10.05.15 - Returned to Germany on government orders

05.25.17 - Mailed ROC package to California Service Centre

06.14.17 - Received NOA 1 (dated 05.30.17) in mail

09.05.18 - Received a second NOA (dated 08.11.18) in mail granting a further six months extension to green card due to 'processing delays'

11.26.18 - ROC - Approved

12.05.18 - Approval Notice I-797 received in mail

12.18.18 - 10 year green card received in mail

The journey to citizenship starts here...!

 

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
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Last one closed for the season last Friday.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

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LOL Yes I saw, but hey I might make it to next season! :-)

I'm from the UK, hubby is from Michigan and is a retired US Army LTC.   We are currently stationed overseas.

Here is our immigration journey so far....

10.26.13 - Our wedding in Scotland 

11.26.14 - Filed I-130 at US Consulate, Frankfurt (DCF)

11.18.14 - Returned to Scotland to renew our vows for our first wedding anniversary

01.08.15 - NOA2 received in snail mail, together with case number and Packet 3 instructions

02.15.15 - Submitted Packet 3

02.17.15 - Packet 4 received by email with instructions to schedule medical and interview

02.18.15 - Email authorisation received from Consulate to gain access to appointment calendar

03.03.15 - Medical

03.18.15 - Interview - Approved

03.21.15 - Visa in hand

06.10.15 - POE Chicago (final destination Detroit)

07.20.15 - Received SSN in mail

07.27.15 - Received 2 year green card in mail

The journey to ROC starts here...!

10.05.15 - Returned to Germany on government orders

05.25.17 - Mailed ROC package to California Service Centre

06.14.17 - Received NOA 1 (dated 05.30.17) in mail

09.05.18 - Received a second NOA (dated 08.11.18) in mail granting a further six months extension to green card due to 'processing delays'

11.26.18 - ROC - Approved

12.05.18 - Approval Notice I-797 received in mail

12.18.18 - 10 year green card received in mail

The journey to citizenship starts here...!

 

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Jamaica
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I can understand the way you are feeling. Coming from Jamaica where I can easily take walks to the beach or sit outside most of the days when I home, its very green and the air is so fresh. I am now in this huge city with 2 trees per block lol alot to do but much more of a night life. America is very fast pace environment and I think people who enjoys it most are the younger youths, retired or the people who are not working. Its really hard to explore and be adventurous when you are not familiar with the area also, I was feeling homesick in just 3 days after arriving but once I started going by myself few time after going with my husband, I am now able to find my way around, so now i find myself going out alone every other day, even just to the grocery store. I hope you and you spouse will plan on things you can do, but I know once you start making friends, you will be getting out and doing so much.

AOS Date Filed : 2015-05-27

Got rejection notice on May 29, 2015 for an incomplete application

Receive rejected application on June 6, 2015

Resubmit June 8, 2015

Delivered June 9, 2015

NOA Date : 2015-06-16

Bio. Appt. : 2015-07-06

EAD and AP Approved Date : 2015-08-14

Date Combo Card Received : 2015-08-21 (Received my card about 6hrs apart on the same day they sent an e-mail that they shipped my card).

Receive Potential Interview Waiver Letter: September 9, 2015 sigh!!
AOS Approved without interview 2015-10-08 :dancing: :dancing: :dancing: :star: 3 MONTHS AND 22 DAYS AFTER NOA1 (F)
(L)In God I Put My Trust :star:

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Filed: Timeline

Hello

I can't quite believe I am writing this but anyway....

I arrived not less than a week ago and already I feel very homesick.

I don't know why but I feel trapped and claustrophobic. I made a big move from the UK to Germany almost two years ago and I adjusted well, even though I had hardly spent any time there previously. I spent my life in the UK by the coast and the countryside and in Germany the countryside and I was able to drive home to the UK pretty much whenever I wanted. There is no sea or countryside here, I can't go for a walk into town, sit at a street café, go to a park. The strange thing is I have been to the US many times and have spent long periods of time here so know how everything is/works but now everything seems so different. I realise that this is not a holiday but I never expected to feel like this at all.

I'm beginning to feel like I've made a mistake coming here and I don't know what to do.

Has anybody else felt like this after such a short time in the US?

It has been one week. lol. you didn't make a mistake. everything you are feeling is normal. the generally rule of thumb is that it takes about 2-3 years for a new place to start to feel like home. If after that time you still have those feelings, well it may be a permanent thing.

Edited by hanniel
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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Sweden
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Moving is a big step and can be overwhelming. I also remember how it felt like coming from a country with forest and lake everywhere and ended up in a city where closest thing to a forest was a fake one in a park... This was while I was an au pair and thankfully my fiance lives in a small city not far from it with forest and lakes (lake is man-made but oh well, can't get everything you want apparently ;) )

Do you have any possibility to get away and actually go see a lake or some kind of big body of water? I'm not super familiar with Michigan so not sure if you're closed to anything. Countryside?

Talk to your husband! Get out and try to come up with fun things to do to get your mind of off things. Try to get back to that feeling you had when you were there on vacation.

I'm sure it wasn't a mistake. It's a big move, a big change and you probably just feel overwhelmed. It will be okay :)





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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
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There's a lot to be said for the 2-3 years (and I'm sure that sounds like *forever* when you're feeling low). I think it is all rather anti-climactic when process is finally all over, and you're here--reality sinks in with "so this is what real life is going to be like? I don't know if I like this country...". Hang in there for one day at a time, giving each day positive thoughts -- try your best to make some little roots in the community. One day at a time. Think positively and know a lot (maybe most?) of us have gone through exactly what you describe. For sure talk to your spouse about being homesick. Don't try and do it alone.

Caro

Caro

...........
2010-07-07 visit to my 2nd home in Phoenix, US
2010-07-24 got married!
2010-09-17 filed AOS
2010-09-23 NOA
2010-10-19 BIO
2010-12-14 Interview Phoenix, AZ
2010-12-15 Approval notice received
2010-12-24 Green Cards received for me & son
............
2012-09-15 I-751 sent
2012-09-25 I-797, NOA received
2013-01-16 BIO

2013-06-13 Approval notice received

2013-06-27 10yr Green Cards received for me & son

............

2013-09-27 N-400 Naturalization application sent

2013-10-03 Priority Date

2013-10-07 N-400, NOA received

2013-10-11 I-797C, NOA received

2013-10-25 BIO (notice bio done last 10 months ago)

2013-11-14 In line

2013-12-13 online status changed to "Scheduled for Interview"

2013-12-18 letter for interview

2014-01-21 Interview date that I had to request change due to travel

2014-02-18 Interview in Phoenix

2014-02-22 Naturalization Oath Ceremony - I am officially a dual citizen Canadian/American

...........

2015-11-04 N-400 Naturalization application sent for SON aged 20

2015-11-09 N-400, NOA rec'd for son

2015-11-20 I-797C, NOA rec'd for son

2015-12-02 BIO for son

2015-12-04 In line

2016-01-29 online status changed to "Scheduled for Interview" for son

2016-02-03 letter for interview for son

2016-03-07 Interview in Phoenix for son

2016-03-25 Naturalization Oath Ceremony for my son - he is officially a dual citizen Canadian/American

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Jordan
Timeline

It is totally understandable, you moved from everything you knew and loved. It's only been a week and you need to give yourself more time to adjust. Some people, my husband for instance, adjust quickly, others not so much. Perhaps getting your drivers license will help so you don't feel so trapped and you will be able to come and go as you please. My husband got his license almost immediately and the freedom of driving helped him a lot.


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