Cristina Veltri
ESL 201
Keys to Adapting to an Unfamiliar Culture
Changes are difficult but can also bring a lot of happiness and that’s what life is about. People who have the opportunity to live in another country should feel lucky because the experience and knowledge that they gain is priceless. It is up to them to take advantage of every situation, and learn from it, and keep moving forward to the next step. The three main keys to adapting to another country are learning the language, learning the traditions, and willingness to change.
The first key to adapting to an unfamiliar culture is learning the language. This is very important because it gives people the freedom to communicate and ask questions, read signs and understand what is going on. To be in a new country for the first time can be scary and frightening. For example, when someone arrives at a new airport and doesn’t understand the signs, doesn’t know where to go, where the gate is or where to get the luggage, he or she feels lost, which is an unpleasant experience. That’s why it is important to learn the language in order to understand the people and to ask questions.
The second key to adapting to an unfamiliar culture is learning about the traditions. For example, in small towns in America driving is part of their tradition. People drive everywhere, to buy groceries, to commute to work and to go to the mall. Mass transportation is available but is not the most common way to get around. Asking somebody for a lift is not the way either. The solution is learning to drive and to be independent. Being independent is an important American tradition; children are raised to be independent. Unlike Latin countries where families are big and there is always somebody around to give a hand. Americans tend to have small families and everybody minds their own business, which means they are not likely to depend on others. This and many other traditions are important in order to adapt to a...