10 Experienced Travelers Share Advice On Immersing Yourself In A New Culture

A little understanding goes a long way. Listening and taking notice can make all the difference. Travel like a local with World of Hyatt.

Start a conversation.

Courtesy of Amanda W.

"Start conversations with as many people as you can. When I was in Croatia, my sister and I started speaking to a local while deciding where to eat. He was super nice and took us with his friends on his boat to explore all of the local islands. We had an amazing lunch at a place and saw secret spots I wouldn't have found otherwise."

—Amanda W., visited 13 countries in 2016

Experience a new culture through new people.

Courtesy of Becca M.

"Go on as many friend dates with as many people as possible. Especially if it's a place with a lot of expats. Everyone is looking to make friends, and it's a great way to hang out with people you don't normally hang out with. If you work for an international company, ask your manager if there's someone you can reach out to in another office for recommendations from like-minded people."

—Becca M., currently living in London

Avoid "expat bubbles."

"Spend as much time as you can with nationals. Although part of the appeal of being in an international community is the fantastic variety of people you meet, the danger is that you can end up in an 'expat bubble.'

"Set yourself challenges for interacting with locals, especially when you are trying to practice the native language. These challenges can be as simple as using a greengrocer rather than using a more impersonal supermarket. Small conversations like this can help greatly in integrating with the way things are done in a country. Activities such as going to the cinema, visiting museums, and reading the newspaper are all excellent ways to absorb both a country’s language and culture. However, I would highly recommend language exchanges, as they give you an instant friend in the country. And if you find someone keen, they can include you in things they do and have a local friend who can be a gateway to their culture."

—Charlotte H., lived in Italy and Colombia

Ask and acknowledge local customs.

Flavio Vallenari / Getty Images

"My main advice is not to be embarrassed to ask a local what the everyday customs are. It always pays to be polite, but it's nice to have a few phrases and a general understanding of how the culture works under your belt. For example, in Cayman (and most of the rest of the Caribbean), it's important to acknowledge the people around you when you enter a room. Whether it's a nod or a hello, it goes a really long way!"

—Kimberly F., lived in the Cayman Islands for 14 years

Make an effort to speak the local language.

"Always arrive knowing at least a few basic phrases if you're coming from another country. I've seen people over and over get treated with different degrees of kindness when visiting France, all depending on how hard they attempt the language at first, out of respect."

—Alix M., lived in France for 13 years

Spend your free time off the beaten track.

Courtesy of Jeevs M.

"One of the biggest things for me traveling through Latin America and now living in Bogotá is how you spend your free time. For example, instead of going out to the most well-known clubs that play exactly the same kind of music you could hear at home, ask around and find out where the locals go to dance. They will most likely be small salsa clubs, where you might feel uncomfortable at first and like you are the only foreigner, but it is the best way to get the most authentic experience. The same goes for eating out. The temptation is to go to the hipster joints that look as if they've been plucked directly out of somewhere from home. But that's not authentic and won't give you a real taste for the country. Find out where the locals like to eat. They may be off the beaten track or consist of plastic tables and chairs, but that's all part of the experience!"

—Jeevs M., currently living in Bogotá

Bond with new people over a shared interest.

"When I moved to Paris, I didn't know a single person nor was I fluent in French at that point. I befriended staff in a Scottish bar who were fountains of knowledge about the Parisian social scene, and then when my French picked up I joined a book club. The first way felt like cheating, but it's daunting to be so young and in a new city, so, for me, finding a place to begin where you feel safe is helpful. The second way never fails me. Bonding over books is universal. The key for me was immersing myself in the things I enjoyed like art as it led to me slowly forming a small group of friends who are still stuck with me nine years later."

—Amna S., lived in Paris for one year

Don't just taste new dishes, learn to make them!

Jarib / Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

"Whenever I'm traveling or living abroad, I do my best to get to know the local kitchen staff of wherever I'm staying or working. Ask them about the local cuisine; they're usually keen to share some of their local ingredient secrets for those curious enough to ask. If you get really friendly with them, ask if you can make and share a meal together. This might mean waking early and heading to a rural community to make 'gallo pinto' (rice and beans — a typical Central American dish and yummier than it sounds) and tortillas if you're in Nicaragua, for example."

—Christina K., currently living in Costa Rica

Plan ahead to seek out unique local events.

"If you've decided you want to visit a specific place but you're flexible on dates, look to see when they have a festival going on. When I say 'festival,' I do not mean a huge, globally recognized event but something chill like 'food truck week' or 'carnival' or 'the annual 10K.' I've found these smaller events give you a good idea of what the regular populace is like, and they're more fun than just going to some bar or touring a museum. You can even seek out unique events that only happen in certain places if you're willing to research (e.g., visiting Scotland during the Highland Games)."

—James L., currently living in London

Get involved with a local sports team.

Courtesy of Nathan P.

"I spent six weeks working with an NGO to support local entrepreneurs develop new business ideas and pitch for soft loans. This meant I was able to spend a long time, rather than just a good time, talking to the people who lived and worked there. The best way to truly embrace a culture is to walk away from the tourist traps of main streets and attractions and instead watch a local sports team play. For example, one of my favorite memories is watching the Kenyan national league basketball in a concrete schoolyard in Nakuru where palm trees encroached on the backboard."

—Nathan P., spent six weeks working in Kenya

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