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.
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
Why Female Friendships Are a Joy (Wherever You Go)
Female friendships are more than just an added bonus of living abroad, they’re a big source of comfort and joy for expat women. From mutual support to shared experiences and improved mental health, find out how having female friends can drastically improve your expat life!
Birthday Traditions from around the World
In most Western cultures, birthdays are celebrated with cakes and candles. In the following, we take a look at some unique ways of celebrating, from bumps to noodles.
Ten Ways to Make Germany Feel like Home
Moving to Germany can be a scary and overwhelming experience, but it’s one that many members of the InterNations Team are familiar with. Read on to find out their best advice on making your new country feel like home, from learning the language to keeping an open mind!
Five Quotes That Will Change the Way You View Expat Life
Life abroad is full of ups and downs, moments of loneliness, and moments of joy, but different perspectives can help you feel centered as an expat, and make you realize how good things are or could be. Here are five quotes which will help you see expat life in a new light.
Expat Tips: Making a House into a Home
Whether you’ve moved to an empty apartment with only paper plates to eat off of or you’ve brought everything — including the neighbor’s cat — moving to a new home can often feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, it won’t always be this way! Here are five tips for turning your new house into a home.