Some expats worry that when they move abroad, they and their family may lose cultural connections in an effort to integrate with their host country. However, this needn’t be the case.
As of 2020, there were an estimated 281 million people living in a country other than their country of birth . Rest assured, there are many people who’ve successfully made the same decision to relocate somewhere that better suits their lifestyle, and there will be many more.
Below we’ll look at tips from existing expats, as well as experts on international relocation, to help you stay connected with your cultural roots.
Ways to stay connected to home when moving abroad
Schedule regular catchups
Talking with family and friends back home renews more than just the relationship – it serves as a reminder of the people and places you came from. Receiving updates keeps the connection fresh and involves you in the life of your community.
If you can, set time aside regular times – perhaps once a week or fortnight – to have a proper conversation with your loved ones. You may want to do a multi-party video call to connect with the whole family, arrange a monthly group games night, or call a close friend for a deep one-on-one chat.
To this end, it’s important to make sure you have a data plan or Wi-Fi service that allows you to place long-distance calls. You can find suggestions from seasoned expats online, including comparisons of international versus localised data plans .
Don’t forget your mother tongue
Language can be an important link to heritage and identity. If the language spoken in your new home country isn’t the same as the one you grew up with, try to find ways to practise your native tongue.
If you have friends and family you can speak with in your first language, this is a great way to practise as it nurtures relationships while they undergo the challenge of distance.
Meanwhile, seek out speakers of your home tongue in your new community. It can be daunting to reach out to strangers, but for those without many contacts in the local area it can also fulfil a need for company and companionship.
Fortunately, expat forums are easy to find. And, in addition to practising your native language, you’ll likely make new friends who are going through a similar experience to you.
Practise familiar rituals
While it’s great to immerse yourself in your new home’s character and traditions, make sure you preserve your own cultural and personal rituals.
For instance, cooking is an important ritual for many people, as well as a link to their cultural identity. Many international cities now have supermarkets stocking foreign ingredients, and you can always get creative if you can’t find exactly what you need.
Other rituals may include particular kinds of dance, music or worship. Look online for communities dedicated to specific practices in your new neighbourhood, or simply make it a priority to practise at home.
There are other ways you can foster a sense of familiarity. Consider bringing personal and sentimental belongings with you, so that your new space feels like home. And try to maintain any positive habits or hobbies you used to enjoy so that there is a thread of continuity running through this exciting period of change.
Share the things you love
On the whole, people are curious and enjoy learning about new ideas, stories and practices. By inviting friends and neighbours to participate in your celebrations, meals or rituals, you may not only feel less isolated but will also be fostering a healthy multicultural environment in your neighbourhood.
Of course, there will always be those hesitant to learn new things – and that’s okay too. Embrace the company of those keen to join you for food or activities and don’t take it personally if others decide not to join.
As with practising familiar rituals, you may just want to share your personal interests and try to build a new community around that. For example, if you have a hobby then seek out clubs or groups of likeminded people.
Missing home?
While the suggestions above are designed to nurture connection and provide a vital link to your home culture, reminders of the people, places and things you miss can also be painful.
The best way to avoid being overcome by homesickness is to focus on what you’ve gained by moving, rather than what you’ve lost.
It’s important to remain connected to your home culture, but it’s also important to forge new connections in your new home. Channel your yearning for familiar company into a commitment to meeting new people, and you’re sure to find the connections you seek right on your doorstep.
