There are certainly many perks to life as an expatriate. An often generous housing allowance, the opportunity to live and work among people of different cultures and a chance to see the world while getting paid. But the transition from one’s comfort zone in one’s homeland to live in a foreign country is definitely not an easy one. Here are five tips for adapting to, and making the most of, the expat life.
1. Speak to as many people as possible
An expatriate posting presents a perfect opportunity to expand your social circle. Many expats complain of feeling lonely and having a stagnant social life. But when you've been cut adrift from your moorings and posted to a foreign country, your social life is really only as exciting as you make it be. The more people you talk to, the faster you'll make friends, and the more you'll learn about your new home. If, on the other hand, you only socialize with other expats and people of your nationality, you'll spend all your time in enclaves and never get to truly and authentically experience the country — what is the point of that?
2. Take the opportunity for a positive change
It can be hard to quit bad habits such as smoking, binge drinking or smartphone addiction when we’re at home. After all, these habits become ingrained into our daily routine. But a change of scenery could be just what you need to break these habits once and for all. When you’re in foreign surroundings and have to develop a new daily routine all over again, you have the freedom to eliminate undesirable practices from that routine. You’re literally rebuilding your daily life from the ground up, so make the most of it!
3. Walk as much as you can
Whether you're taking a leisure trip or settling into an expatriate posting, walking is the best way to get to know the city. As you walk, you become intimately familiar with every street, every alley, every mall. Slowly but surely, that familiarity will evolve into a sense of belonging. Another plus point — walking is a great exercise!
4. Embrace new customs
Expatriates sometimes experience friction with local communities because they’re unwilling to embrace or at least respect local customs. While most communities are friendly and welcoming to foreigners, it’s important to remember that expatriates also have a responsibility to respect the community’s traditions and culture. Respect and tolerance are a two-way street. So keep an open mind and make an effort to fit into the local way of life. You might just learn some lessons that will stay with you for life!
5. Travel
Finally, if you’re in an unfamiliar part of the world, make the most of it by traveling to neighboring cities and countries whenever you can. Relocating in Hong Kong means you can visit Mainland China as often as you can. As the world's oldest continuous civilisation, China boasts over 3,000 years of history, a rich and profound culture and vast geographic presence that make it well worth visit after visit.
You are at the same time just one to two hours’ flight away from the stunning landscapes as well as great ethnic and cultural diversity of the rest of Asia. How about learning to perform traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto, or enjoy the picturesque sunset over the turquoise waters of Gulf of Thailand? Go get in touch with a genuine traditional life in Myanmar, or find out why K-pop conquers the world in Seoul. It might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit these destinations, such unique in their own way. Carpe diem!
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