10 Ways to Assimilate the Culture of a New Country

There’s a rise in immigration in the world right now, and people are moving from places they have called home all their lives. What we know as community is changing, and we’re putting our lives in a few boxes to live in a whole new city and country. Although moving to a new country can be challenging, it remains one of life’s biggest adventures. 

It’s exciting, it’s challenging, and it forces you out of your comfort zone in the best way possible. But let’s be honest,  stepping into a completely different culture can also feel intimidating. Everything is new to you — the language, the food and the general lifestyle.

And that’s why assimilating into your new country’s culture isn’t just helpful,  it’s essential. It helps you settle faster, feel at home sooner, and build meaningful connections with the people around you.

Whether you’ve moved abroad for work, education, or just a change of scenery, this article will help you better settle into your new home. 

1. Learn the local language (or at least key phrases)

You need to find your way around your new city, and that’s why learning the language is the most important. Other than learning the language to get by, it enables you to understand nuances in conversations, slang, and humour when necessary. It also keeps you safe at all times, knowing you’ll be effectively able to communicate wherever and whenever you feel stuck or lost. Even if you can’t become fluent immediately, learning basic greetings, numbers, and everyday expressions will make a huge difference.

• Why it matters: It breaks down barriers, makes day-to-day tasks easier, and earns the respect of locals.
  
  
• How to start: Use apps like Duolingo, Babbel, or Memrise, or attend local language exchange meetups. Watching TV shows with subtitles or reading books can accelerate your learning.
  
  

Practice with locals at grocery stores or cafés. Most people will be happy to help if you make an effort to do so.

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2. Eat their food 

Your palette might have adapted to the food of your home country or wherever you have lived previously, but food is a window into a country’s soul. By exploring the local cuisine, you’ll gain insight into the traditions, how they cook their meals and a lot of the country’s history. Also, learn dining etiquette so you don't look out of place or appear disrespectful when dining with locals. 

• Try this: Visit local markets, street vendors, and small restaurants instead of sticking to familiar fast-food chains.
  
  
• Cook at home: Buy local ingredients and recreate traditional dishes. It’s a great way to learn cooking techniques and bond with neighbours.
  
  

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3. Participate in holidays and festivals

Every country has its unique holidays or festivals. Each of these holidays has a story behind it and cultural roots that help you understand your context. Participating in national celebrations fosters a sense of inclusion. Whether it’s Lunar New Year in Asia, Independence Day celebrations, or a Carnival in Brazil, participating will teach you more about the country’s values.

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4. Become friends with the locals

You aren’t an island. It’s bad enough you moved away from the place you’ve called home, but you don’t have to be alone. You can’t find your way by doing everything on your own. Your neighbours and the locals will give you insights you won’t find online — like where to get the best street food or how to avoid tourist traps.

• Join local clubs, gyms, or sports teams to meet new people and make connections.
  
  
• Attend meetups or expat networking events.
  
  
• Volunteer for community projects to give back while meeting new people.
  
  

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5. Understand social norms

In some cultures, you genuflect to greet an elder, while in others, a more casual greeting is acknowledged and preferred. Learn the culture of where you are, even when unspoken. Research online or ask a trusted local. Small gestures of respect go a long way in helping you integrate into the community.

• Examples:
  
  
  
  • In Japan, bowing is a sign of respect.
    
    
  • In France, greeting with a kiss on both cheeks is a common practice.
    
    
  • In Germany, punctuality is taken very seriously.
    
    

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6. Explore all the gems, not just the tourist spots 

This is your home now, and you want to know a lot about it. Don’t only visit the cool, Instagrammable places. Go around, experience everyday life. This will give you a deeper understanding of the country’s rhythm.

• Do this:
  
  
  
  • Wander through residential neighbourhoods.
    
    
  • Visit small towns and rural areas.
    
    
  • Use public transport to see how locals commute.
    
    

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7. Learn the history and politics

Every country or city has its story. What it has been through, why it is the way it is, and what the political climate is like. All of this information will help you make an informed decision about whether you want to live there in the long term. How to interact with your neighbours and the country itself. The more you understand the country’s past, the better you can appreciate its present.

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• Visit museums and historical sites.
  
  
• Read books by local authors.
  
  
• Watch documentaries or follow local news outlets.
  
  

8. Adjust to the pace of the country

Every country has its own pace and way of doing things. And although that might be a culture shock for you, you will need to get used to it. In Spain, lunch might be at 2 p.m. and dinner at 9 p.m. In the UAE, Fridays might be the main day of rest.

• Observe what time people wake up, eat, work, and socialise.
  
  
• Try aligning your own schedule to match.
  
  

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9. Stay curious, open-minded and respectful

Again, that is your home now, and you want to learn as much as you can about it. All the research you did before moving there will mean nothing without being curious and open-minded to adapting and settling into the new country.

• Avoid judging customs that seem strange at first.
  
  
• Ask questions to understand why things are done a certain way.
  
  
• Be willing to unlearn habits that don’t fit the new context.
  
  

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10. Make your money move smarter

Money is one of the most significant stress points when moving abroad. Set yourself up for financial success early:

• Open a local or multi-currency digital account to receive payments, pay bills, and avoid excessive foreign exchange fees.
  
  
• Track your expenses for the first few months to understand the cost of living in your area.
  
  
• Use tools like Pesa to hold multiple currencies, send money back home affordably, and convert funds when rates are most favourable.
  
  

This not only saves you money but also makes you feel more in control as you settle in.

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