My sponsor has like 14 years, and she still has a sponsor. So does her sponsor, and she has 23years, that tells me it would be a good idea to have a sponsor, but I could be wrong!!
Perhaps you could ask someone to be a temporary sponsor. Or maybe you could still use your sponsor from your last location, until you find someone you want to ask. With cell phones, the internet, skype and everything else, its easy to stay in touch across distances!!