* Increase your level of eye contact. This will send a drug-like hormone called Phenylethylamine gushing through your veins, which will improve communication and liking.

* Synchronize your body language with theirs: subtly adopt the same postures, head tilts, facial expressions, voice tone as they do. They will feel that you are “exactly like them.”

* Make them feel good about themselves: don’t try to impress them– let them impress you, and they will love you for it.

* Quit worrying about what you’ve just said, wish you hadn’t said, or are going to say next. In the end, what people remember is not what was said, but how it felt to be talking to you.
* Drink them in with your eyes: increased eye-contact will send a drug-like hormone called Phenylethylamine gushing through your veins and theirs, which will improve communication and liking.

* Listen to them intently; hang upon their every word as if it held the key to your happiness

* Synchronize your body language with theirs: subtly adopt the same postures, head tilts, facial expressions, voice tone as they do. They will feel that you are “exactly like them.”

* Don’t try to impress them– let them impress you, and they will love you for it.

@ Find out everything you can about those who will be attending: Where are they from? What do they do? What are their interests? This is what you can talk to them about.

@ Wear something that people can talk about; anything that will draw attention and inspire people to approach you. What do you have that would be a good conversation starter?

@ Read a couple of mainstream newspapers just before the event so that you can use the headlines as icebreakers. The more conversation fuel you have, the easier it will be to get a conversation going.

@ Get there early: This gives you the opportunity to warm up slowly as the other guests gradually arrive.

@ Remember in detail the accomplishment you’re most proud of just before entering the room. The memory will flood your system with endorphins, which is an instant confidence booster.

@ Breathe! When feeling self-conscious, people often draw short, shallow breaths, which only make things worse. Focus on taking deep breaths, which have an instant calming and grounding effect.

@ Pretend that you’re the host of the party: it boosts your self-confidence because it makes the event your event. Better yet, volunteer to be on the greeting committee if you can.

@ Position yourself around the desert buffet: it makes for easy conversations, and when people eat, their endorphin levels rise, which puts them in a better mood.

@ Approach people standing alone: they’re probably feeling awkward and lonely and will be grateful to you for saving them from anonymity.

@ Compliment them on something they’re wearing, and then ask an open-ended question about it. It’s one of the most effective icebreakers around.

@ DON’T wait until you’re are already on the ground– instead, prepare your transition as early as possible.

@ The single most important factor in a good transition is having a network ready to receive you when you arrive. Start building that network well before they make the jump, by researching local clubs, groups, and any organization with which you might have something in common within your host country.
@ Upon arrival, in your new workplace, find someone to “walk the halls” with you to show you where everything and everyone is. Ask to be introduced to as many people as possible

@ Ask for a designated point person to help you navigate the practicalities: schools, bills, housing, etc…