Adjusting to a New Culture and Overcoming Culture Shock After Moving Abroad

Moving to a different country is a significant life event. For many people, the biggest challenge is adjusting to a new culture. Even if you spent time there before the big move, the shift from visitor to resident can be a big transition. Culture shock happens to everyone, but it's easier to navigate the process when you go into the move with awareness and an open mind.

Why Is It Difficult to Adapt to a New Culture?

Adjusting to a new culture can be challenging due to factors such as:

• Language barriers: If you're not fluent in the local language, it's difficult to chat with locals and comprehend the nuances of conversation. Even if you speak the same language, understanding the local slang can take time.
• Customs and values: Every society tends to develop its own customs, values and accepted social behaviors. While you're learning these unspoken rules, it's easy to feel like an outsider.
• Isolation: Until you make friends and build a community, feelings of isolation are common.
• Homesickness: Integrating into a culture can be uncomfortable, which often brings up feelings of homesickness for friends, family and familiar surroundings.

Cultural shock is a natural part of settling into a new place — especially when the culture is extremely different from your own. In China, Americans must navigate the language differences, the city smog and the Great Firewall. In certain Eastern European countries, the prevalence of cigarette smoke can come as a surprise — especially in restaurants.

Even when a new country seems similar on the surface, you may discover differences that are surprisingly difficult to navigate. In New Zealand and Australia, this might include driving on the left side of the road and using the metric system.

How to Adapt if You Move to a New Country

Some culture shock is inevitable after an international move. However, by actively finding ways to adapt and ease your transition, you can speed up the process and settle into your new life.

Learn the Local Language

Learning the language of your new country is one of the best ways to integrate into the culture. The faster you can hold conversations, the easier it is to manage daily interactions and pick up on cultural nuances.

You don't need to become fluent right away. Start by learning some key phrases to sprinkle into everyday interactions. "Please," "thank you," "hello" and "goodbye" are easy to use, and they don't require other language skills. Locals will appreciate the effort, and you might even create friendly relationships with the people you see every day.

Sign up for language classes as soon as possible — preferably in person. A teacher can provide immediate feedback on pronunciation and grammar. It's also a great way to make friends with other expats. If possible, look for language exchange groups or local conversation partners who are learning English.

Immerse Yourself in Community Life

Take time to get out into your new community. Make a point to attend:

• Festivals and fairs
• Holiday events
• Concerts and theater performances
• Local markets

It's also helpful to join local groups and classes. Sign up for a fitness class at a nearby gym. You can follow the moves, even if you don't understand the instructor. Alternatively, get involved with local choirs, volunteer groups, sports teams or special-interest groups.

Build a Support Network

If you're accustomed to an active social life, a lack of local friends can make it difficult to adjust to a new culture. Ward off feelings of isolation by connecting with other expats in your new city. 

A few ways to find the local expat community include:

• Joining digital nomad and expat groups on Facebook
• Participating in language exchanges
• Signing up for English-language networking events
• Using websites, such as Meetup, to find expat gatherings

Don't discount the power of a coffee shop. You can strike up conversations with other foreigners who might work there.

Preserve Your Own Cultural Identity

It's natural to miss your traditions and cultural identity when living in a new country. Stay connected to home by:

• Cooking familiar meals: You may need to ask your family to ship familiar spices and ingredients that are difficult to source locally.
• Celebrating holidays: Host a Halloween costume party, cook a Thanksgiving dinner, hold an Easter egg hunt and carry on your family's favorite traditions.
• Communicating with loved ones: Schedule a weekly video call with friends and family. It gives you something to look forward to, and after navigating a new language, it may be a relief to speak in your native tongue.

When you're immersed in a new culture, these small actions can help you find balance. As you make local friends, ask them to join your meals and celebrations. You might end up with reciprocal invitations that provide deeper insight into your host country.

Maintain an Open Mind

An open mind is a surefire way to dispel culture shock quickly, especially when you're in a place that's drastically different. To make everything feel less foreign, approach new situations with a sense of curiosity. Observing how people interact in different places can reveal fascinating insights about traditions and cultural norms. People can sense when you're genuinely interested and may be more likely to initiate conversations.

How Long Does It Take to Adjust to a New Culture?

The adjustment time line can vary based on the country, your travel history and any prior experiences with living abroad. Typically, culture shock has a few distinct stages:

• Initial excitement: During this honeymoon period, you may be focused on the new and exciting aspects of the new culture.
• Settling in: As you furnish your home, find a favorite grocery shop and start to tackle the activities of daily life, your new adventure may start to feel more like regular life and less like a vacation.
• Frustration: While you experience inconveniences or inefficiencies, particularly in government bureaucracy, it's normal to feel frustrated or irritated.
• Acceptance and integration: When culture shock wears off, you should start feeling like a member of the community. You make friends, develop routines and grow accustomed to the rhythm of life in your new location.

No matter where you are in this process, it's important to persist. Pushing through challenges and negative emotions is critical to cultural integration.

How Atlas International Can Support Your International Move

One of the best ways to navigate culture shock is to work with an experienced partner for your international move. At Atlas International, we have decades of experience helping individuals and families navigate the move and settle into their new homes. 

In addition to international moving services, our friendly team members can provide cultural resources, help with logistics and offer guidance on cultural adaptation. With our support, it's possible to build a seamless transition to your new country. Contact us today for a free quote.