Life
as an expat offers challenges not faced by those living in their
home countries. Of course these challenges vary depending where you are from
and where you move and many things can have an impact on how successfully you
adapt to expat life. These are my tips for expat success.
Explore
Getting
out and exploring your new territory should definitely be a priority. What do
the locals have that you don’t? Local knowledge. It is invaluable when trying
to fit in somewhere new and granted, it does not come overnight, but at least
if you know the names of local places and make your own observations you at
least look keen to be a part of the place.
Make
friends
Friendships
are really important because it is the people that make the place. But don’t
make the mistake that many expats make and befriend only other expats. Expat
friends are wonderful when you need comfort and reassurance, but although it is
tempting to be a bit lazy if the local language is not your own, it really is
worth getting to know some local people. Other expats can tell you that things
are a certain way but locals can tell you why. When you understand things you
are more likely to accept them and I also love to have that extra background
knowledge. Local friends can help you enjoy all of the best things about your
host country. They can also help you dodge the bits that are worth avoiding.
 |
| My Turkish friend Sebnem helped me enormously |
Learn
the language
The
benefits from getting to grips with the local language in your host country are
endless including, amongst other things, an increased ability to be polite and
buy what you actually want at the market. Languages help you interact with
others and when communication is so vital to all tasks it is incomprehensible
to me that expats might not try to learn the language of their host country.
Improved communications increase your ability to absorb and understand
alternative cultures too, which helps you appreciate and accept cultural
differences.
 |
| Languages help expats communicate |
Adapt
No
two places are the same and if you leave one place and try to transfer your old
lifestyle with you to a new place you are likely to face disappointment. Perhaps
you miss certain groceries from home, TV shows or your old social life.
Whatever it is, there will be a new one waiting for you to discover in your
host country. If you dwell on the feeling of missing something it can make you
very unhappy.
What
are your tips for expat success?
