As an expat, adjusting to a new country can be both exciting and overwhelming. One of the `keys to a successful transition is cultural integration. In my journey as a podcaster, speaking to expats from around the world on the Rooted and Routed Podcast, I’ve gathered incredible insights on how to integrate into a new culture more smoothly. Here are three tried and tested ways to help you settle into your new environment:
1. Embrace Local Customs Wholeheartedly
One of the most powerful ways to immerse yourself in a new culture is to embrace the local customs. In the very first episode of Rooted and Routed Podcast, Simona Jadronova, an expat who has lived in India for over a decade, shared a wonderful example. She doesn’t just live in India—she experiences it fully by adopting everyday practices, like eating traditional thali with her hands. Simona says, “The food tastes so much better than eating with just a spoon.”
Similarly, in Episode 2, Kim Provo emphasized the importance of cultural integration by enrolling in cooking classes wherever she goes. Learning about local food and recipes helps her get a deeper understanding of the culture. These small but meaningful gestures can help you feel more connected to your new environment and build deeper relationships with locals.
2. Adjust Your Mindset and Be Open to Different Approaches
A crucial part of cultural integration is being flexible and open to doing things differently. Simona wisely pointed out that “what’s logical for me may not be logical for them.” This mindset shift has been vital for her, especially in navigating the complexities of business, paperwork, and documentation in India.
Another interesting byproduct that comes from being open and adapting is outgrowing your home-country beliefs. In episode 4, with Sandra Showalter, who has been an expat since 2008 – she says that going back to her home country she can feel the differences in perspective. Often this adjustment is quite hard because she has evolved by living the expat life and embracing new approaches and mindsets. It’s part of the reason why she and her family seek opportunities to live in other countries – to grow as global citizens and meet more like minded people.
3. Find Community Through Shared Interests
In Episode 3, Thomas Heinry shared how he connected with his new environment in India by buying a Royal Enfield motorcycle and joining a rider’s group. He admits that he wouldn’t have done this back in France, but riding this iconic bike in India has become a way for him to feel connected to both the country and other local riders. It’s these kinds of experiences that make adjusting to life abroad feel more enriching.
Finding community is crucial for feeling grounded in a new country. Sandra Showalter highlighted how finding connections through shared interests can ease the transition. In India, she discovered boxing and jokes that if she had found the sport 20 years ago, her career might have taken a different path from brand consulting. Boxing and its community have become such an integral part of her life that one of her first steps when moving to Colombia will be to find a local boxing gym.
Final Thoughts
By embracing local customs, adjusting your mindset, and finding community, you’ll make your integration into a new culture more enjoyable and fulfilling. These tried and tested methods are just a few of the many insights shared on the Rooted and Routed Podcast, where I explore the expat experience in all its complexity.
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