When moving to another country and wanting to build a life there, you must adapt to numerous completely new things. Those could be a new language, school or working environment, manners, food, roles in society, and so on. However, as much as adapting can sound good, it’s crucial to maintain a balance. Fitting in is a fantastic feeling, but you shouldn’t lose the sense of where you come from or who you are. Thus, here’s an article to learn how and why expat families should stick to their family rituals.

Expat families should stick to their family rituals – the why

Cultural preservation can imply many things, as culture means different things to different people. One is, however, true: it gives the members of a specific cultural group a feeling of oneness.

Each nation has its cultural heritage and national history. Each is unique and precious. Additionally, culture extends to each individual’s aims, morals, and beliefs. So, each culture’s traditions are complex. Moreover, we should be aware of how our acts can negatively affect our cultural identity.

1. Cultural heritage

Each group’s cultural heritage is irreplaceable and unique. Therefore, it’s up to younger generations nowadays to preserve the identity of people who came before them. They can succeed by following their ancestor’s practices and manners. This way, they will keep the history of their nation alive.

2. Natural resources saving

People are more ecologically responsible when safeguarding older commercial and residential structures. Heritage preservation lessens dependency on new construction materials and pollution caused by them.

3. Strengthening the neighborhoods

Residential and industrial buildings add value, beauty, and pride to a community. Firstly, housing prices in historic neighborhoods increase in value year by year. Secondly, preserving them promotes a solid cultural identity through different generations.

4. Local economic development

Societies protecting and sustaining traditional craftsmen’s work attract many visitors, migrants, and investors. Therefore, preserving family traditions can help local businesses more than construction.

5. The impact of cross-cultural moving and travels

When people move to another country, they usually become aware of their culture’s tremendous value to that part of the world. This is how foreign cultures learn from each other.

However, today’s world has become more homogenous. This is why expat families should stick to their family rituals, even though it’s difficult nowadays.

6. The importance of global diversity

Learning the official language of the country you moved to is probably a must. Also, one can never know too many languages. So, we can agree that is only a plus.

However, it’s essential to maintain your identity and speak your native language to your children and grandchildren.

7. Education is the best way to preserve your culture

Finally, by having an integrated educational strategy, expats will be able to express the value of their cultural heritage. Education can help pass the cultural rituals to the next generations and teach foreigners about them.

8. Media’s role

Media holds a crucial role when it comes to preserving one’s culture. This way, people from all over the world can share their cultural and historical heritage. Also, they can use social media platforms to connect with each other.

9. Your responsibility

Your culture and family rituals should be something you are proud of. So, make it your goal to pass your family’s heritage and rituals to the next generations. Only by doing so will we help different cultures flourish.

Expat families should stick to their family rituals – the how

• Use your native language

The way you express yourself makes so much of who you are. Therefore, don’t try “not using” your native language when living abroad. Your mother tongue is what connects you with your roots, family, and friends, and you should embrace it.

Furthermore, knowing more than one language can only be advantageous when looking for a job.

• Follow your usual rituals, routines, and patterns

Things you believe in don’t need to change with your relocation. But, of course, you can choose to change as many aspects as you want, as long as it makes you happy.

On the other hand, if you start feeling homesick, try sticking to the daily routines and patterns you had back home. For instance, if you prayed at sunset, continue doing it after the move. Likewise, if you do religious fasting on certain days of the week, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t continue doing so in your new country.

• Keep in touch with family and friends back home

One of the most critical things expat families should do to hold onto their cultural identity is not to lose contact with their home. After some time passes, the cultural shock will fade away. This can make you so involved in your new life and lead you to forget to contact old friends and family.

Modern technology can help you stay in touch with family back home no matter where you live.

Furthermore, you can stay “connected” to your heritage by filling your new house with pictures, family heirlooms, spices, and recipes from your native country.

• Maintain your interests after the move

One might struggle to determine who they are or who they want to become once they move to another country. So, to regain a sense of control, you can find comfort in things that brought you joy when you were back home.

Those things could be listening to a favorite song in your mother tongue, reading your favorite book, watching TV shows from your country, and so on.

• Join local clubs and associations tied to your culture

You can join many associations to make new friends and do activities connected to your culture. So, get out and about and meet people connected to your native culture.

Expat families should stick to their family rituals by attending events hosted by their local community.

Socializing will help you find like-minded individuals and develop meaningful friendships with someone who shares your culture. Also, becoming a part of a local community tied to your country will help you overcome cultural shock easier.

• Share your cultural tradition with others

If you moved to America from a different part of the world, you can (and it might be nice) make American holidays your own. You can also incorporate some of your cultural traditions and rituals. For instance, if you celebrate Dia de Los Muertos, you should do it with pride and invite your new friends to celebrate it with you.

By hosting cultural celebrations or birthdays at your home, you will be welcoming your new friends into your cultural heritage

An additional way to preserve and embrace your culture when living abroad is to wear your traditional clothes proudly. Also, try remaining open and positive when answering inevitable questions.

• Learn more about your native country’s history

Finally, when living in a different country, you might get more interested in your own as you notice differences. So, it would be wise to use your curiosity and learn more about your native land’s history. This way, you will feel more connected to your people and keep up the conversations with others interested in your culture.

The takeaway

Now that you have a couple of tips, we suggest you embrace your culture and who you are. In addition, expat families should stick to their family rituals to successfully make their new place feel like home. This way, you can enjoy the riches of the new country while ensuring you don’t lose yourself along the way.