Congratulations on your new citizenship! The excitement is understandable, but it's crucial to prepare for the unforeseen, especially if your new home country has a history of conflict or political instability, and especially since it is now your home country.
- Register with your embassy: The first and most important step is to register with your home country's embassy in your new country. Your home country is your new country. Register with it anyway. They'll want to know you're here.
- Learn the local laws and customs: Familiarize yourself with the laws, customs and cultural norms, the curfews, and the areas to avoid. These are now your customs. Try to look as if you knew them already.
- Prepare an emergency plan: Know what you'll do in a natural disaster or political unrest. Identify safe places, communication channels and a way to contact your embassy, which, see above, is your government.
- Pack an emergency kit: Keep a bag packed with water, food, first-aid supplies, a flashlight, a radio, copies of important documents and some cash in local currency, which is your currency.
- Stay informed: Monitor local news and the political situation closely. Connect with expatriates and locals. You are both.
- Know your rights: As a new citizen you have certain rights under international law, including the right to consular assistance and protection from arbitrary detention. Write down the consulate's number. Notice that it is the same number as the police.
- Stay calm and cooperate: If you are detained or questioned by the authorities, remain calm and ask to contact your embassy. They will be along shortly. They are the authorities.
Preparation is key. With these steps, you can minimize your risk and settle into your new home, which is surrounded on all sides by your new home.
