Travel Without Feeling Like an Outsider
Experiencing a new culture is exciting, but it can also be a bit scary. You can feel like too much of a tourist unless you find ways to immerse yourself in a culture. It can be as easy as learning a few simple phrases in the native language or walking through a local market. Here are the 20 best ways to immerse yourself in a new culture.
1. Learn Some Common Phrases in the Local Language
Language is the best way to immerse yourself in a new culture and feel more comfortable. Stick to the basics, and learn a few simple greetings and polite expressions. It can make a world of difference.
2. Try Regional Foods
It's always tempting to see what a McDonald's in a foreign country is like, but it's not worth it. You want to sample the local culinary delights. Give street food a try as it's a great way to experience a culture.
3. Attend a Local Festival
Festivals are a great reflection of a place's culture and values. Whenever you're travelling, try to attend a food, arts, or music festival. You'll meet wonderful locals and get a taste of the culture that will prove invaluable.
4. Stay With a Host Family
Living with a host family rather than staying at a hotel or hostel is ideal if you want to immerse yourself in a new culture. You'll get a useful glimpse into the locals' daily life and can learn how to cook regional meals.
5. Visit Markets
A market is an intersection of people, food, and activity. It's a great way to see a new culture in action, and you can be adventurous and buy some of the local treats and ingredients.
6. Use Public Transportation
Ditch Uber when travelling, as using public transportation is perfect for exposing yourself to a new culture. Do some research beforehand to learn the basics of a place's public transportation system to mitigate getting confused or lost.
7. Visit Religious Sites
A religious site is more than a place for faith and worship. They often feature stunning architecture and are cultural landmarks. Visiting various ones gives you a sense of the culture and helps you feel more connected to the area,.
8. Adopt Local Etiquette
To feel like part of a new culture, you should learn the unspoken rules that could prevent you from embarrassing yourself. Learn whether you should bow to someone or kiss them on both cheeks, before you make a big mistake.
9. Experience the Local Music and Dance Scene
A place's traditional music and dance tell you a lot about it. Often, these artistic expressions have centuries of tradition behind them. You can even take a beginner's class for the popular dance form of a place you will be visiting.
Cristian Quiñones Ramirez on Pexels
10. Explore Small Towns and Villages
Major cities are often built on modern culture, not a traditional one. Small towns and villages are better at preserving the old ways and can surround you with the authentic culture of a place. In Italy, for instance, some villages hold festivals that are centuries old.
11. Take a Walking Tour
A walking tour is the perfect way to take in the sights and learn the history of a new culture. It can be even better than touring museums. A walking tour can lift the veil of a place, unlocking the hidden stories and folklore that make it special.
Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation on Wikimedia
12. Spend Time at Museums
Museums are adept at cataloguing a culture's history, struggles, and victories. You can learn all about a culture, and joining a museum tour can offer even greater insight.
13. Attend a Sporting Event
Sports are a huge part of many cultures. Attending a rugby game in New Zealand can give you as much insight into local customs as going to a museum. Immersing yourself in the passion of fans can help you feel like you're part of a culture.
Philippa Rose-Tite on Unsplash
14. Read the Local Literature
Reading James Joyce before visiting Ireland can make you feel like you are walking the streets of Dublin with him. Great authors who write about their homelands are a great source for learning about a new culture and connecting with it on a deeper level.
15. Partake in a Language Exchange Meetup
Some cities hold meetups where locals and tourists can learn each other's languages. Attending one of these events can help you feel more ingrained in a culture thanks to being more familiar with the local language.
Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
16. Party at the Local Discotheque
Experiencing the local nightlife will put you knee-deep in a place's social customs. Go to a tango club in Buenos Aires or belt out a tune at karaoke in Seoul to get a true taste of what living in these places is actually like.
17. Walk Without a Plan
Walking around a foreign city without a plan or destination is invigorating. You never know what you'll stumble upon, and you will find opportunities to experience different cultural elements.
18. Follow the Local News
It's easy to be a tourist and not even think about the current events of the place you're visiting. Listening to the local news while visiting will help you understand what's happening and any issues you should be aware of.
19. Learn the Local Humor
You won't be funny out of the gate, but learning a joke or two about a new culture can help you feel like you belong. Be careful not to get too risqué or bleak with your jokes. The goal is to keep it light.
20. Participate in Traditional Games
Find out what games are traditionally played in a place and take part whenever the opportunity presents itself. You can play a round of mahjong in China or mancala in West Africa. Whatever the game, immersing yourself in it will help you engage with a new culture.
