Before an international move many prepare by packing, making arrangements with moving companies and sorting out a visa. Though all of these steps are essential for a move, many expats forget about the importance of cultural awareness. Without taking the time to learn the culture, expats run the risk of having a hard time settling in. Here are a few of the essential ways that you can nurture your cultural understanding. Language skills Learning the language and communication style before moving will help you settle in quickly. In addition to learning the language, observe the body language and overall delivery. Do they use lots of eye contact or tend to look away? Are they really animated when they speak or completely formal? Spend some time in the country prior to the move building your communication skills. Measure how comfortable and confident you are in social situations and put some steps in place to improve. Your aim should be to learn how to communicate with others in a way that denotes trust and respect. Traditions If you have pre-conceived ideas and stereotypes about what the new country is like - try to replace them with an open mind and willingness to learn. Once you live somewhere and have integrated your perception is likely to change. Research the countries heritage and attend festivals, religious events and key holidays. Join as many groups, clubs and societies as possible where you can participate in local activities. Dress codes In different parts of the world, the dress-code and what’s deemed as the ‘norm’ can differ quite dramatically. Always aim to be respectful of the differences and especially when participating in social activities or work. In lots of cultures there are traditional ways of dressing for festivals, carnival’s and other cultural events. Traditional dress can be a fun opportunity for expats to cross cultural barriers and become comfortable in their new home. Cuisine National cuisine is tied closely to a countries identity and for expats this can be a great learning curve. Experiment with trying new foods in social settings, attend restaurants, birthday dinners and ceremonies. Not only will you learn about the flavours and tastes, you will also be able to observe the serving style and table etiquette. Once you feel confident enough, hold a dinner party and serve the local food. Being a host will be a good opportunity to put everything you’ve learnt in to practice. Attitudes towards smoking and alcohol It’s important to have an awareness of the attitudes towards smoking and alcohol. What’s deemed to be socially acceptable differs widely from culture to culture. Some cultures’ are liberal, but there may still be age restrictions and public areas where it’s banned. In other cultures smoking or drinking may be completely frowned upon. Having an awareness of the attitudes is very important to stop you from causing offense.