Whether you are a seasoned expatriate used to hopping around the world like a kangaroo, or a more recent recruit to the expat lifestyle, here are a few tips to guide you in your adaptation to a new culture:

Get connected

There are online communities where you can find out about what to expect in a certain place. Do some homework before you depart and look into them. Once you have moved, find people who have been living in that country and have experiences to share. There is usually a diverse expatriate community where you can start making friends. Settling down and the initial culture shock take about 3 months. Don't worry if yours takes longer. Also stay in touch with friends and family back home; they can give you more of the emotional support you need in the first months.

Learn about the culture

While you may establish a safe circle of friends with fellow expatriates, do not neglect to venture out. Interact with locals like your neighbor, friends of friends, or colleagues at work. In most places, locals speak some level of a foreign language, and you can try to learn the native language as well. You will find that the more interest you show to people, the more enthusiasm you will see from them. Of course each culture is different but if this is your basic attitude, you can fine tune it accordingly. By learning about the culture through your experience, you will begin to have your own appreciation of it, instead of what others say. In many circles, one often hears a sentence like, "Ah these locals are............." You can fill in the gaps, but instead choose to believe your own experience.