Moving to a new country with a
whole new culture might seem like an easy and fun idea/adventure at first since
the physical part of moving involves a lot of financial stability and
willpower, but underneath all that, moving to a completely different country
might not be as easy as one thinks it is. There are many challenges and
difficulties when it comes to adapting to a new culture and yes there might be
some things that are easier than most, but that doesn’t include everything, as
each culture has both easy and difficult ways of adjusting to a new lifestyle.
Like with almost every country,
Belgium has some challenges when it comes to their lifestyle, where one might
experience a bit of culture shock. Apart from living in a new country it not
only entails communicating verbally through language but also nonverbally as
well. In Belgium, greeting customs are not essentially required but are highly
recommended as a form of respect, as most Belgians will greet with a handshake
and/or cheek kisses, and by not reciprocating any greeting gestures is
considered rude.
Another challenging aspect when it
comes to living in a new culture is the whole language barrier. As we all know
by now, Belgium is a quite diverse and multilingual nation with more than one
language spoken throughout the country, so it's safe to say that Belgium’s
languages are both fascinating and daunting. When it comes to focusing on a
language, specifically in Belgium, it often depends on what region you want to
move to, and it would be beneficial to pay attention to which community speaks
which language before moving/visiting there. However, there are some Belgians
who can speak English, usually in urban areas, which can make communication
transitions easier upon visiting or first living there. But, generally
speaking, Belgians and other native inhabitants, do appreciate any effort made
to speak their native language(s). Additionally, when it comes to communicating
with Belgians, assuming everyone speaks English or even another language
perhaps like Dutch, German, or French can be offensive to whomever you’re
speaking with. So, always ask which language someone prefers speaking in.
Being in a new culture, most likely
everyone will experience culture shock, and it comes through multiple of
stages. At first, everything seems all exciting and fun, until the daily life
sets in and that might be where you encounter frustration or even confusion
with local customs. However, this is a normal part in the adaptation process
because over time, as you get adjusted to the new surroundings, it will start
to feel like a new home. I believe that being patient and having an open mind
are key to overcoming some of these challenges.
Being connected to a new
culture means getting to know the intercultural ethics of that given culture.
When it comes to recognizing and respecting cultural differences it’s important
to remember that it shows a deep appreciation for each of the culture’s values,
beliefs, and behaviors. By understanding those cultural variances that enables
the ability to develop a sense of intercultural awareness with a more ethical
perspective. In other terms, it means remembering that people are both alike
and different at the same time.
A couple of ways to internalize
these components into everyday life and other future exchanges would be to not
only educate yourself but also to immerse yourself in another perspective,
particularly a different culture than your own. By seeing situations from
other’s perspective, you start to realize the lifestyle of not only the
individual but of also the whole community.
Even though majority of us don’t
necessarily have the luxury of actively going to another country to experience
a new culture, there are other ways to engage in any selected culture while
remaining in your home country. One way is to join a cultural organization/event.
There are a lot of communities that have different cultural societies which
host a lot of specific traditions. For example, there are local festivals, and
language meetups. Specifically, the U.S. hosts many intercultural traditions
like, for one, St. Patrick’s Day. Moreover, this holiday as we all know
originated in Ireland and then migrated to the states. This holiday and any
others are just one way that you can get involved and educated about another
culture.
Another way to experience a
new culture without having to move is by exploring different media such as
films, music, literature, and podcasts from that given culture. Even though
it’s a bit less interactive than other forms, as regarding to being physically
close, it still gives an authentic view into different stories, values, and
traditions.
References:
https://www.expatexchange.com/ctryguide/21025/4/Belgium/Living-in-Belgium-Culture-Shock-in-Belgium
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