Moving to a new country is a major challenge and it can take time to adapt to a different culture, to master a new language and to comfortably feel that you belong in your new home. Many people question how long does this transition from expat to local take and whether a person can ever truly feel like a local in their adopted country.
The answer is definitely ‘yes’, but it takes time and patience to adapt and cultivate belonging abroad. The length of time needed to settle also varies from one country to another. In this article, we explore the strategies that can help this transition.
The Phases of Adaptation to Life Abroad
The long-term adaptation to life in a new country follows some well charted phases. These are transitional phrases. How long each of the phases lasts, is very subjective. It can be eased by using some well known strategies. The end result being that you have successfully moved from expat to local.
● The first phase of adaptation is known as ‘the honeymoon phase’. This phase is the initial excitement experienced when moving to a new country. Everything feels fresh and invigorating. There is great fun in meeting people, visiting new places and learning a new language.
●The second phase occurs when the excitement wears off and is replaced by culture shock. It can be a frustrating time as you discover that procedures are different in your new country and there can appear to be endless bureaucracy for even the simplest requests. There can be feelings of isolation and detachment and it is not uncommon for expats to feel anxious and depressed too.
● Luckily, this second phase passes and is replaced by the third phase, which is one of acceptance. Things no longer feel strange and bewildering and understanding them helps to understand the culture better. Inter cultural communication becomes easier and making friends in the local community makes the adjustment easier.
● The fourth phase is one of long-term adaptation when you have made the transition from outsider and genuinely feel at home in your new country. You have adjusted to the new culture and feelings of homesickness have evaporated. If you are working, you will have established a good work rhythm. If you are retired, you will have developed an enriching weekly schedule of activities. This is a time for personal growth as your adventures and experiences enrich your life.
Why Belonging Is Important for Long-Term Adaptation?
A sense of belonging is important as you adapt to life in your new country. How long this takes to achieve will vary, dependent on your chosen country. Some countries such as Spain, Portugal and Mexico are known for the friendliness of their people. Foreigners find they can settle easily there too. A sense of belonging is crucial for emotional well being. It greatly reduces feelings of isolation and homesickness.
Creating a home is an important step in achieving this important feeling of belonging and stability. Having a home and surrounding yourself with personal possessions that remind you of home and loved ones is important and introducing elements from your new country will help you to feel integrated. Getting to know your neighbors and work colleagues is also a valuable step in feeling settled.
It is important to create a good daily framework in your new country as this brings positivity to each day. Joining local language and sports clubs is a great way to make new social connections and meeting established expats can definitely help you to feel well supported. Making social contacts in your work environment will pay dividends too.
Practical Steps to Transition from Expat to Local
Learn the Language
Speaking the local language is definitely key to improving communication with local people and helping you to immerse yourself in the local culture. Although English is widely spoken around the world it pays dividends to learn the local language. Your attempts will be much appreciated by the local community. Easy conversation with local people helps in your transition from expat to local.
It is best to start learning the language while you are still in your home country as you will find it useful to know as soon as you arrive and start to settle in. An intensive language course gives a good strong foundation in the language. Language exchange clubs can be found in many locations.
These are a great way to meet local people and learn about the their culture. I joined a local Anglo-French group and not only did my French verbs improve, I also learned where all the good restaurants were. When we needed a builder, I was recommended several too!
Online courses are excellent. Duolingo is the perfect way to set aside a few minutes every day to enhance your vocabulary and understanding. It is important to celebrate your success such as when you have had your first conversation with a new neighbour or have understood the lyrics of a local song. Practise reading and writing the language too. Local TV, newspapers and children’s books are all great for this.
When we first moved to France, I was sure that I would not remember any of the French that I had learned in school. To my great surprise and delight I found that my memory served me well and that like learning to ride a bike, the skill had not deserted me!
Explore your adopted country
Nothing makes you feel more settled than knowing an area well. It is important to visit all the well known places when you first arrive as they will regularly come up in conversation. Becoming a local abroad involves getting off the beaten track and exploring all the lesser known places too. Each country has its own seasons and visiting places at different times of the year can be really interesting. Gaining in-depth knowledge of your host country will help ease your status from expat to local.
If you prefer company, why not join a local walking group?
Embrace the Local Culture to Transition from Expat to Local
Successful long -term adaptation to your new country involves immersing yourself in local culture. Ditch your home foods and try all the local dishes. If you eat like a local, you will find it much cheaper than buying imported goods. If you get on well with a neighbor, there is a good chance they will be happy to show you how to prepare local dishes. It can be great fun learning how to prepare different vegetables such as the delicious kolokasi (taro) which features in many Cypriot dishes or the topinambour (Jerusalem artichoke) found in French markets at this time of the year.
Actively participate in festivals and other local events as this will deepen your understanding of the local culture. Be curious and open-minded about what you see and learn, rather than comparing and negatively judging the differences with your home culture. Learning about the local culture will help in your successful transition from expat to local.
Build Relationships with Locals
When you arrive in a new country, a top priority is to build a new social life. It can be really beneficial to meet long-established expats who give you handy advice on where to go and things to do and can help with car and health insurance etc.
Building friendships with locals is really important as they will give you a colourful insight into their culture and traditions and they can help you to make the transition from feeling like a visitor to feeling like a local.
Joining local community groups is a great way to meet local people with shared interests. Volunteering to help with a local project fosters a good sense of belonging too. Building relationships with local people is fun and rewarding. In their eyes it helps you to make the important shift from expat to local.
Create New Routines and Traditions
Many people find that by creating a new daily routine can help them feel more connected with their surroundings. It is important to integrate local traditions and festivals with the ones from your home country. It can be great fun to introduce one of the events from your home country to your new friends. For example, St Valentine’s Day is only celebrated in some countries.
Years ago, I made heart-shaped biscuits to give to my Cypriot friends. One of my friends, Andreas, declared they had no need for this day in Cyprus as every day was filled with love!!
It can be fun to find one particular spot such as by the sea, a river or in your favourite coffee shop where you can go to get a sense of comfort and familiarity.
Overcoming Challenges in Long-Term Adaptation from Expat to Local
For many people, even if they have lived abroad for years, they can experience lingering feelings of still being an outsider. It is true that no matter how hard you try, locals can still spot that you are a foreigner by your annunciation of words. These setbacks are part of the adaptation process and may never entirely vanish. It is best not to dwell on them.
It is easiest to consider yourself as having a unique hybrid identity and bi-nationality as this means that you are acknowledge and are proud of your roots, but warmly embrace your life in your chosen country. You have at this stage, completed your long term adaptation and it is best to focus on all the similarities and positives rather than any insurmountable differences.
The Role of Time in Finding Belonging
The feeling of belonging does take time. It is important to be patient as you transition through the different phases of settling in your host country. Adaptation is achieved after regular exposure to local culture, interactions and experiences.
The transition has been completed when you new country is your comfort zone. It will feel like home and all signs of homesickness have gone. This point can take years to reach.
Long-Term Benefits of Finding Belonging Abroad
Transitioning from expat to local brings a sense of belonging, this leads to increased well being and happiness. Having a broader perspective on life and a deep understanding of your host culture can lead to personal growth. Best of all, feeling like a local brings a sense of pride and accomplishment. It is more relaxing to feel integrated and accepted in your new country.
In conclusion, transitioning from feeling like an outsider to having a sense of belonging requires patience, openness and effort. By immersing yourself in the local culture, building new connections and taking new opportunities, your journey will be more rewarding. It is essential to practise self compassion too. The path to adaptation at times may be challenging. Remember it is possible to create a really fulfilling and meaningful life abroad – with a great sense of belonging.
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