Embracing Local Living: How You Can Quickly Feel at Home in a New Country
Do you also think some people feel less like an outsider in a new country? You can say that it’s their personality and they’re just cool people. If that’s not you and adjusting to a different culture seems daunting, you don’t need to worry, though. With a few strategic approaches, it’s possible to feel at home in a relatively short time. Here are some tips specifically for expats aiming to adapt and embrace their new cultural surroundings quickly.
1. Explore the Neighborhood
As an expat, step away from tourist hubs and delve into local neighborhoods. Wander through bustling markets, sip coffee at corner cafés, and interact with residents. These authentic experiences offer a glimpse into daily life and the local community.
2. Don’t Miss Cultural Events and Festivals
Attend cultural events and festivals happening in your area. These vibrant celebrations often showcase traditional music, dance, and culinary delights, providing a crash course in local customs and traditions.
3. Try the Local Cuisine
Food is a universal language. Dive into the local cuisine by exploring restaurants, street food stalls, and markets. Try local dishes not only familiar to your taste buds but also open doors to new experiences and tastes.
4. Volunteer in Your Community
Engage with the community by volunteering or participating in local projects. Contributing your time or skills not only benefits the community but also increases your sense of belonging.
5. Learn the Language to Connect with People
While becoming fluent might not happen overnight, learning basic phrases or taking crash courses in the local language helps you with everyday interactions. And it also shows respect for the culture of your new home.
6. Use Public Transportation and Local Services
To get around, embrace the public transportation system and local services in your city. This not only aids in navigation but also provides you with insights into daily routines and the lifestyles of the locals.
7. Attend Cultural Workshops and Classes
Enroll in workshops or classes focusing on local arts, crafts, cooking, or dance. These immersive experiences offer practical insights into cultural practices and skills. And they’re a lot of fun!
8. Be More Culturally Sensitive and Adaptable
Be observant of local customs, respect social norms, and stay open-minded to different perspectives and practices. While embracing local customs, you can also respectfully share aspects of your culture to find mutual understanding and appreciation.
9. Seek Local Connections and Expatriate Communities
Networking with fellow expats and locals helps in navigating the cultural landscape and offers support during the adjustment period. You can use InterNations communities and events to meet new people and create more memories in your new home.
Starting to feel at home as an expat and not as an outsider takes effort, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace differences. By actively engaging with the culture and community, you can forge a deeper connection and create a sense of belonging in your new home.
Advertisement
About Beste Cevik
Beste is the Corporate Communications Intern at InterNations. She moved to Germany around a year ago and currently lives in Göttingen as a master's student. She likes to travel and learn about other cultures.
Article topics
Related articles
Three Top Tips for the Introverted Expat
It’s easy to assume that only extroverts can be successful expats. After all, striking up conversations with locals, attending events and joining activities, or even just paying at the grocery store require a bit of sociability. Embracing your introverted qualities, though, can be just as effective as having the most outgoing personality.
Top 10 Tips for Getting Past Culture Shock
For expats, culture shock is part of everyday life. The upheaval of moving to another country will never be without its challenges. It affects everyone in different ways and can last anywhere from a few weeks to years. Here are some tips to lessen culture shock and help you settle into a new country.
Outside the Big Expat Hubs: Taking the Road Less Traveled
When thinking about moving abroad, many expats-to-be decide on the big expat hubs like Dubai or Tokyo. But what if you don’t like the hustle and bustle of the big city, or if your employer sends you to a more remote area? Believe it or now, taking the road less traveled can have its merits.
Five Signs You’ve Truly Settled into Your Life Abroad
Feeling settled in your new life abroad doesn’t happen overnight, but there will be an exact moment when you think “I’ve totally got this!’’. It can come with excitement because you’ve conquered the mountain you never thought you could, along with a sense of sadness for the life which now lives in your past.
Expat Tips: Five Ways to Keep Calm and Flourish Abroad
The decision to move abroad and leave your friends and family behind for a new country and culture is certainly a brave one. The move can be quite overwhelming, and panic can easily set in. Here are five ways to keep calm and flourish abroad.