Moving into new cultural and linguistic terrain is always a daunting enterprise.
For the breadwinner it is often a move from one desk to another. Of course, there are new colleagues to deal with as well as a new environmental language, but the core of your reason for moving will be the same: long hours at your desk and business trips.
Spouses, on the other hand, are responsible for the children’s education, running a smooth household, dealing with neighbors, organising kids’ activities, enrolling in local language courses, etc. All this euphoria lasts for about three months – until culture shock sets in and your initial fun of exploring your host country sometimes turns to frustration.
This is a very crucial turning point, because when things turn a bit sour, you might run the risk of keeping this attitude until you leave your host country. Find an “Ausfahrt”(*1). Don’t feel stuck.
I’ve had to start over a few times, and this is what I’ve learned:
* Don’t feel lonely – volunteer!
Sign up for a volunteer job just to get to know people and establish a certain routine. There are some jobs that are not that time-consuming, such as helping out one afternoon in the international school library, holding an English conversation table once a week, etc.
Volunteering was one of the first things I always did while settling into a new culture. In this way, I got out of the house, talked to other like-minded people, learned more about my host-country and got a better sense of my surroundings.
* Change from a language class to a hobby to practice your language skills
Some companies pay for your initial foreign language course to help you become integrated. Most of it, though, is book study in the classroom. Once you get to a certain level, it’s time to move on– and out of the classroom.
Instead of signing up for another language class, you might consider signing up for a course the locals are taking, e.g., Chinese cooking, yoga, flower arrangement, or whatever your interest is in. Immersing yourself in the local language will improve your speaking and listening comprehension, and also help you make some friends.
After I had taken a part-time course for Japanese and reached a sufficient level of competence, I took a risk and enrolled in a private group lesson for patchwork. My teacher only knew Japanese, and I could practice my speaking and listening comprehension by following instructions. The sewing vocabulary I picked up has stayed with me ever since.
* Get a private teacher
Some of you might shy away from the thought of getting a private teacher out of the desire not to make another commitment. But private lessons can be changed, postponed, and canceled. Find out what the rules are and adhere to them. In some cultures like Korea, there are no cancellation fees (even for a no-show), but here in Germany, private teachers not only sell their knowledge but also their time.
A private teacher will help you with what YOU need and doesn’t have to follow a set curriculum. His/her time is YOUR time. Once you’ve reached a certain level of language skill, you might want to incorporate them into your interests. If you are interested in the local cuisine, you can discuss recipes and cook together.
As a private teacher I’ve had students who reached that level. So I taught them patchwork with the help of the foreign language, in this case German. This enabled the student to talk freely, learn a hobby-related vocabulary and produce a craft at the same time.
Some expats may also have an elderly neighbor willing to converse at a very low rate of tuition.
*From private teacher to mentor
When things get tough in your life and neither your spouse nor your spouse’s secretary is available (or you have used her service too many times already), then your private teacher can help out in settling your foreign language affairs.
As a private teacher and German speaker, I’ve made phone calls to insurance companies, doctor’s offices, hotlines, and translated German bills into English, among many other favors.
My students ask all kinds of cultural questions:
+ My German neighbor always puts her trashcan in front of my house, not hers. What can I do without upsetting her?
+ Why can’t I take a shower in my apartment after 10 p.m. in Germany?
+ Why are shops closed on Sundays? (This is about to change, though)
Get yourself a private teacher, and it will open up another window in your fishbowl community.
*From mentor to friend
Granted, not all relationships like teacher-student end up in a great friendship. But from my experience most of them did and still do. I’ve taken adult students out for a beer, invited them to a local fest, or told them about special cultural activities.
Younger students got to enjoy a campfire in our garden, or they walked around with my children and me on Halloween night.
If there are good vibes, there will also be a fun side to life outside this professional relationship.
*Keep a journal of your stay
This could be a scrapbook for fun or a place where you can dump all your frustrations, adjustment problems and sorrows. This is especially helpful if you have come to this new place without an existing network.
I started keeping a journal 15 years ago when we were in the process of moving from the United States to Japan, and it has proven rather helpful for my “mental hygiene”.
* Be patient
Last, but not least– bad days can happen anywhere. Sometimes it’s so easy to blame it on the host country and its people. Please bear in mind that you must have had bad days in your native country or last place of residence, too.
Enjoy your stay wherever you are!
(*1) Ausfahrt: German for highway exit
