How to Adjust to a New Culture

Moving to a new country can be challenging on many levels. If you have left your home turf to live abroad or to a significantly different part of the same country, there are some things you can do to make the adjustment easier.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Do some research to understand the culture you are going to. Adjusting to a new environment is frustrating if you know nothing about the place. Find out the typical foods available, what social customs might be at play, and what their perceptions of outsiders are.
2. Mentally prepare yourself for change. It may seem obvious, but many people move to or visit a different culture and are surprised by how different things are. Even going from one English speaking culture to another, like the United States to Australia, can be overwhelming. Keep your mind open.
3. Prepare for language differences. If moving to another English speaking culture there are still language differences to consider. Learn what these differences are to avoid embarrassment. Pants, for example, in the UK refer to underwear, not trousers! Try to learn a bit of the language as soon as possible if English isn't the primary language in your destination country.
4. Spend time in the community. The fastest and easiest way to adjust to a new culture is to immerse yourself in it. Practice your language skills with strangers and make new friends. Learn about the culture from locals so that you are brought up to speed quickly.
5. Learn the laws. Or at least learn those laws that don't apply in your country and may be easy to innocently break. For instance, learn what side of the road to drive on and discover who has the right of way on roads without lights.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't try to impose your own culture on the locals. You're in their country, it's up to you to adapt.