What is an expat bubble?
In essence, an expat bubble refers to the space expats may find themselves in when they relocate to a foreign country but fail to actively engage with the local culture and community. Expat bubbles can come in different shapes and sizes:
- You may find yourself socializing exclusively with the expat community
- Or, buying only familiar foods in international supermarkets
- You may find yourself unable to commit to learning even the basics of the foreign language
- Or, you may limit your entertainment options (TV, internet, social media) to only those from back home.
While being in an expat bubble may feel comforting at first, it will, most likely, have a counterproductive effect in the long term. You may see your comfort zone shrink day by day, while leaving it may become harder and harder.
Why expats like staying in expat bubbles
There are a lot of reasons why expats may linger in expat bubbles.
Most of these situations have similar beginnings. An expat arrives in a foreign country and, in search of comfort, knowledge, and insider tips, turns to the local expat community. This is a natural reaction and a healthy one: spending some time in the company of fellow expats can smooth the corners of a rough transition to a new environment.
But then a month goes by. And then another. Soon enough, you may find yourself meeting the same people, going to the same places, buying the same foods and getting away with just a few basic words in your new destination's language.
Here's why this may be happening:
Expat bubbles provide a sense of familiarity in an otherwise foreign environment. Familiarity feels safe. And while most modern self-help books encourage you to get out of your comfort zone, doing that is much more complicated than described.
In expat communities, English or another common language is often spoken and understood. This practically eliminates the language barrier. So, the embarrassment you may feel when getting out those first few words in a foreign language doesn't exist in this perfect expat-made mini-world.
Expatriates within expat bubbles often share similar challenges and experiences. This helps them form strong bonds and “join forces” in their survival in this new environment. Once you become part of the “expat team”, it gets harder and harder to explore the wide unknown all on your own.
Expat bubbles can be geographical. You may decide to settle in an area or neighborhood that is favored by other expats. This generally puts you into the arm's reach of the much thought-after expat conveniences: international schools, fusion restaurants, expat clubs, and more. Leaving this blissful arrangement gets increasingly harder the longer you stay.
Some expat bubbles come into existence without your direct participation. Certain industries or jobs may be concentrated in specific expat hubs, offering better job prospects for expatriates in those fields.
As you can see, all of the above seems to be a pretty wholesome setup. So why would anyone want to leave it?
Reasons why you should exit the expat bubble
The decision of whether or not to leave the expat bubble is a personal one. There are a multitude of factors at play here — all of which should be considered.
With that said, here are just a few reasons why leaving the expat bubble may be a good idea:
- Stepping outside the expat bubble will let you immerse yourself in the local culture and, eventually, foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for your new destination's customs, lifestyle and traditions.
- Branching out of your expat circle can be a great way to start engaging with the local community and enhance your language skills, making daily interactions smoother.
- Interacting with the local community can broaden your worldview, challenging stereotypes and preconceptions.
- Being adventurous with restaurants and entertainment will let you discover hidden gems, authentic cuisine, and unique experiences that may not be readily accessible within the expat community.
- Networking and socializing with the local community can lead to valuable connections, both personally and professionally, which may open doors to new opportunities.
- While adapting to a new environment is definitely no easy feat, doing so can help you foster personal growth, resilience, and adaptability.
How to get out of the expat bubble?
Expat bubbles are often looked upon as something abstract and self-imposed. Because of this, the strategies for dealing with them often start with inspirational but rather generic recommendations: “Leave your comfort zone”, “Be brave”, “Explore” – and the like. And while these are often true and helpful, they may not offer an actual step-by-step roadmap to leaving the expat enclave.
We'll try to fix this.
Here are a few practical strategies for escaping the expat bubble for good.
Learn the language
There's no better way to escape the expat bubble than by learning the local language. The ability to speak the local tongue will make life easier for you; you'll be able to talk to the locals, navigate your new life with ease, and make new acquaintances.
If you're struggling to pick up the language on your own, try signing up for a language school. You should also try to speak in the language when you are out and about to improve your proficiency.
Limit the time you spend with other expats
Now, this one may be difficult. Your expat community is a space of comfort, acceptance, and understanding. However, if you stay too long, you may be looking at the opposite effect. Instead of understanding and acceptance, you feel even more isolated. With that, removing yourself from the expat community entirely doesn't make much sense either.
This is why we suggest that you work on limiting the amount of time you spend with fellow expats. Depending on how connected you are with the local expat community, set the limits that work for you. Or, if this still sounds too stressful, consider a different approach: pick a day out of your week when you will do your best to organize activities with the locals, instead of expat friends.
Attend local events
One of the best ways to break out of the expat circle is to attend local events: festivals, meetings, competitions, quiz nights – anything you may be interested in and is available in your new destinations. This is a great way to make new acquaintances. Plus, by becoming part of something, even for a few hours, you may start to acquire a sense of community in your new home. This will also offer you a glimpse into the heart of a culture and often welcome outsiders.
Travel locally
Spending holidays back home is one of the biggest comforts of the expat life. However, consider spending some of your off-work time traveling locally. This will give you a more nuanced introduction to your new home, help meet new people, create memories, build connections – and more.
What's more, many countries celebrate festivals and holidays in their unique way. Traveling to different regions will let you experience a variety of traditional festivals and celebrations that may not be observed back home. This can serve as yet another step towards building a stronger relationship with your current location.
Try using public transport
Opt for public transportation over private vehicles when and if possible and safe. This can expose you to a broader cross-section of society and offer you a close-up of the daily lives of locals.
While using public transportation, you're more likely to strike up conversations with fellow passengers or transit employees. This offers opportunities to learn about local culture, traditions, and daily routines directly from the people who live there. You may even make new friends along the way.
Volunteer
Volunteering in your host country is a powerful way to positively contribute to the local community and forge meaningful connections with locals and fellow expats.
Volunteering allows you to actively engage and become a part of the daily life and activities of the people in your host country. This immersion can foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the new culture. Moreover, volunteering brings you in touch with people who share your commitment to a specific cause. And these shared interests can grow into meaningful friendships.
Ask questions
Finally, don't be afraid to ask questions and seek support within the local community. It may be intimidating at first, but, the truth is, most people
would be happy to share their culture and insights and appreciate your genuine interest.
In conclusion
Breaking out of the expat bubble won't be easy. But with a clear strategy in place, you will feel more confident when making steps in this direction. Think about the benefits of breaking out of the expat circle: you will learn, connect, and experience on a different level.
