Moving to a foreign country is like stepping into an entirely new world, one that challenges you in ways you could never have predicted.
When I moved to Thailand—a place so different from the Western world I grew up in—I found myself constantly surprised, humbled, and sometimes even uncomfortable.
Everyday things like how people greet each other, the rhythm of life, and even the role of family and community had a different meaning.
It forced me to rethink so much of what I thought I knew about “normal” and taught me lessons I couldn’t have learned any other way.
This experience was eye-opening, sometimes overwhelming, but ultimately life-changing.
In this article, I’ll share eight things I’ve learned about life through living in multiple countries, each with its own unique culture.
1) Embracing the unfamiliar
When you’re living in a foreign culture, you’re stepping out of your comfort zone. And that’s where the real learning begins.
Psychology tells us that when we’re confronted with unfamiliar situations, we’re forced to adapt. We have to rethink our habits, our assumptions, and even our values.
This can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.
Living in a foreign culture is like being a beginner all over again. You have to learn how to:
- Navigate new social norms
- Decode unfamiliar languages
- Understand different cultural cues
This continuous learning process can be frustrating at times. But it also opens up a world of new possibilities.
It allows you to see life from a different perspective. And it forces you to become more flexible and adaptable – skills that are valuable in every aspect of life.
2) The beauty of language
Living in a foreign culture often means learning a new language. And let me tell you, this is more than just memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules.
When I lived in Spain, I had to learn Spanish.
At first, it was daunting. But as I started diving into the language, I began to see its beauty.
Language is a reflection of culture. It all tells a story about their worldview:
- The way people express themselves
- The idioms they use
- The way they structure their sentences
For instance, in Spanish, the phrase “no pasa nada” is commonly used to express “don’t worry about it” or “it’s not a big deal”.
This phrase became my mantra during my time in Spain. It taught me about the laid-back attitude of the Spanish culture and helped me adapt to their way of life.
Learning a new language isn’t just about communication. It’s a window into a whole new way of seeing the world. And for me, that was one of the most enriching parts of living in a foreign culture.
3) Understanding cultural nuances
Living in a foreign culture means immersing yourself in a society with its own unique customs, traditions, and practices. This can often lead to a much deeper appreciation of cultural nuances.
For example, in Japan, there’s a concept called “omotenashi.” It refers to a unique form of hospitality that anticipates the needs of others before they even express them.
This sense of selfless service is deeply ingrained in Japanese society and can be seen in everything from the meticulous care taken by sushi chefs to the attentive service in department stores.
It’s a distinct cultural nuance that can only be truly understood through firsthand experience.
Understanding such cultural nuances not only enriches your experience living abroad but also broadens your perspective on life, fostering empathy and respect for diversity.
4) Adaptability is key
Living in a foreign culture, you quickly realize that adaptability is not just a desirable trait – it’s a necessity.
Every day presents new challenges, and each one requires you to adjust and adapt.
You might need to:
- Navigate public transportation in a language you barely understand
- Adjust to local eating schedules that are vastly different from what you’re used to
- Interpret subtle social cues
- Learn how to respect new cultural taboos
These experiences can be challenging, but they also teach you how to be resilient and resourceful.
You learn how to handle unexpected situations, think on your feet, and find solutions to problems you’ve never encountered before.
Adapting to a new culture strengthens your ability to cope with change – a skill that is valuable not just for living abroad, but for any aspect of life.
It teaches you that change isn’t something to fear, but an opportunity for growth and learning.
5) Appreciating diversity
Living in a foreign culture exposes you to a wide range of people, beliefs, and practices you might not encounter otherwise.
It’s an education in diversity like no other.
You meet people from all walks of life, each with their own unique stories and perspectives. You get to experience first-hand how culture shapes people’s beliefs, values, and behaviors.
This exposure to diversity fosters understanding and tolerance. You learn to appreciate the richness of human experience, recognizing that there is no single ‘right’ way to live life.
You come to understand that different doesn’t mean wrong – it just means different. And that realization can be a powerful antidote to prejudice and narrow-mindedness.
It’s a lesson in empathy that extends far beyond your time abroad, influencing your attitudes and actions long after you return home.
6) The value of connection
Living in a foreign culture, far from the familiar and the comfortable, you learn the true value of connection.
You understand that shared language, culture, or geography are not the only ways to connect with others.
I’ve found that some of my most meaningful relationships have been formed with people who come from entirely different backgrounds than my own. These relationships are built on:
- Shared experiences
- Mutual respect
- Genuine curiosity about each other’s cultures
It’s in these connections that you realize that despite our differences, we all share common human experiences – joy, sorrow, love, loss.
You understand that at our core, we are all just humans navigating our way through life.
Experiencing this sense of connection in a foreign culture teaches you to be more empathetic and compassionate. It makes you realize that we’re all more alike than we are different.
7) Learning humility
When I moved to Thailand, I was fresh out of university and thought I knew it all. But living in a culture so different from my own quickly brought me down to earth.
I struggled with simple things like ordering food or asking for directions. I made mistakes, often feeling silly or embarrassed.
But it was through these struggles that I learned humility.
In a foreign culture, you’re constantly learning – not just about the culture itself, but also about yourself.
You learn to accept that you don’t have all the answers. You learn to laugh at your mistakes and to appreciate the patience and kindness of those who help you along the way.
This humility is a powerful lesson. It teaches you to be open-minded, to listen more than you speak, and to value the wisdom and experiences of others.
It’s a lesson that stays with you long after you’ve returned home, allowing you to approach life with a greater sense of curiosity and respect.
8) Discovering a sense of self
Living in a foreign culture, away from the familiar, gives you a unique opportunity to truly discover yourself.
Removed from your usual environment and social circles, you have the freedom to explore your identity without the influence of societal expectations or preconceived notions.
You find yourself:
- Trying new things
- Adopting new habits
- Challenging beliefs you’ve held for a long time
These experiences allow you to better understand who you are and what you value most.
Further, overcoming the challenges that come with living abroad can boost your confidence and self-esteem.
You learn that you’re capable of more than you ever imagined, reinforcing a strong sense of self-reliance and resilience.
In essence, living in a foreign culture can be a journey of self-discovery, helping you to understand and appreciate yourself better as an individual.
Final thoughts: Life beyond borders
Living in a foreign culture changes you in ways you can’t fully understand until you experience it yourself.
It pushes you to see beyond what’s familiar, embrace differences, and adapt in ways that make you more resilient, open-minded, and self-aware. Each culture you encounter leaves a unique mark, shaping your worldview and broadening your understanding of what it means to be human.
Whether you’ve lived abroad or simply dream of it, know that stepping into a different culture is one of the most enriching journeys you can take.
It’s a journey that reminds us, despite all our differences, we share a common desire for connection, understanding, and growth. And those lessons are the ones that stay with you long after you’ve returned home.
Do you truly know yourself?
Your FREE personalized Moon Reading explores the secret depths of your personality, relationships and true purpose in life.
