You're working abroad and want to understand the local culture. What's the best way to get started?

When reaching out to networks of expats or locals living in your target destination, make sure to keep an open mind. There may be instances where they may share information that may be contrary to the established information seen on YouTube, books, travel guides, or current events. Do keep in mind that the information may not be publicly available due to local laws or regulations governing information or censorship and the possibility the information may be relevant in certain situations. At the same time do make an effort to follow recommendations from your foreign networks if they are provided to you. It can make a major difference.

Ich habe die Kultur eines anderen Landes immer am besten in meiner Freizeit kennenlernen dürfen. Ich denke sogenannte "Locals" zu treffen ist immer eine Bereicherung! Stelle ihnen Fragen zu den unterschiedlichsten Themen und erzähle auch von dir, somit könnt ihr beide von euch lernen. Sei offen für andere Sichtweisen und lasse dich auf dein Gegenüber ein. Vielleicht kannst ja auch du etwas Neues lernen oder sogar eine neue Sichtweise auf ein bestimmtes Thema bekommen. Tauche positiv gestimmt und mit Neugier in eine neue Kultur. Lass dich überraschen!

As part of having an open mind when working abroad, make sure to try new things if they are not at odds with religious or dietary needs. The saying "you won't know until you try it" really comes into play when working and living abroad. In some instances you will learn a bit more about yourself by trying such things overseas that may not be available in your home country. In other instances, it may be useful to build connections with your professional contacts and even colleagues. When in doubt, ask your local colleagues about the new thing and then try it if it appears to be safe and reasonable to you.

Not only work to having an open mind but also consider the possibility that not everyone is open-minded overseas. There may be instances where you will deal with expats that prefer living in their own expat bubble or closed-minded locals that will not deal with you under most circumstances. Avoid compromising your self-respect just to fit in because it will give those individuals the impression they can easily control and influence you. Be yourself and work towards meeting more like-minded or open-minded individuals in your work and travels. Not everyone is willing to be your friend and not every co-worker is eager to be more than just a work acquaintance.

Expat networks offer valuable practical support upon arrival but may inadvertently become a hindrance in the long run. Embracing the local culture involves engaging in activities alongside locals. Moreover, acquiring proficiency in the local language is essential for a genuine grasp of the culture - even basic language skills can significantly enhance understanding and integration.

If you're an Asian-American expat working overseas, make sure to stay true to yourself. There may be instances where European or Asian locals may dismiss you because you don't fit into stereotypical view of ethnic Asians, but that is ok. Those people are either racist or have some form of unconscious bias. It just means you will take a relatively longer time to meet open-minded expats or locals in your overseas experiences. Also make sure to network with other Asian-American expats outside of work if they are open to it because Asian-Americans in the workplace, whether it is in the USA or abroad, may tend to have similar habits when dealing with Asian-Americans in the workplace.

Talking from personal experience during my time in US and Canada, I think what worked the best for me was that I was able to figure out a hobby. I was big time time into football and not only did I find a lot of sports bars where they would host match screenings every week, but I also joined a few local football clubs who would play every week. Not only did that help me connect with people from various backgrounds but also helped me keep myself fit.