What do expats find most challenging?

We asked expats and digital nomads what they find the most challenging about the local culture in India. They wrote...

"One of the most challenging aspects of the local culture that expats in India find is the need to adapt to a more conservative lifestyle. This includes covering up when out in public, dressing modestly, and addressing people formally. They may also find that interacting with locals can be more complex than in their home culture, as it is important to understand the numerous social hierarchies and norms that the Indian culture is built upon. Expats may also struggle with the plethora of customs and religious beliefs they are exposed to while living in India," said another expat in India.

"Language. Having to plan quite carefully for evenings and weekends. We (and most expats) have a driver and once he has gone home we are restricted to the local neighborhood. We are fortunate insofar as a lot of restaurants and shops are within walking distance but we have colleagues who are pretty isolated once their driver goes home. We miss being able to be spontaneous and just go for a drive later in the day, or just go to a restaurant the other side of town or have an evening drive to the hills to watch the sunset. We miss that quite a lot," wrote a member who made the move to Pune, India.

GeoBlue
Get Quote

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!

GeoBlue

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!
Get Quote

Please login to continue reading this article.

Not a member? Join Today (it's free).

What do expats find most challenging?

If you live in India, newcomers to India would love to hear your answer to this question.

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame is one of the founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and the Founder and President of Expat Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.