Getting used to daily life in India as a Foreigner - Cross-Cultural Immersion Tips

Jennifer Kumar is a cross cultural coach

Follow her on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/authenticjourneys
e-mail authenticjourneys@gmail.com

In this video I discuss some of the factors that influenced and inspired me to integrate into the culture and lifestyle in India. Some are
1. Going alone (without a group of Americans or American friends, family, etc.)
2. Rarely interacting with Americans
3. Living with locals my entire stay
4. No access to American culture groups
5. Limited access to American food (maybe 5x times in the entire stay of 2 years)
6. Requirement of wearing Indian clothes for daily activities
7. Learning a new way of speaking English and learning another language to be understood on a daily basis

Plus more!

How did these factors help me to integrate into Indian culture? List to find out!! :)


If you would like to participate in cross-cultural, expat, intercultural or interfaith coaching, by phone, skype/video chat or in person, contact me!
authenticjourneys@gmail.com

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[suerayss]

Also, Indians live in such tight spaces and space is so dispropotionately organized that 90% of ppl live in small rat holes called flats but pay prices that match tokyo and new york. This leaves no personal space and this factors heavily into the cultural aspect of indian existence that outsiders can almost never get used to it and there is suffocation not just from pollution but from lack of personal space which is important.

[alaivani]

@suerayss I agree that disorganization, water and electric problems, basic infrastructure problems, space limitations, pollution and other factors definitely create problems for outsiders, let alone even NRIs who have been outside India for awhile to find adjustment in India difficult and even impossible. About the space problems, yes, things like overcrowding can make a person from a country with a lot of space feel claustrophobic! - Jennifer Kumar, Cross-Cultural Coach

[GAURAV1140]

In India you have to punch your way inside the culture....you have to assert yourself.....u can see how an italian girl has risen in India to the throne...Sonia gandhi

[alaivani]

@GAURAV1140 "Punch your way inside [Indian] culture" I like this metaphor. Yes, this along with being assertive is especially important. I am finding I need to be MORE assertive in India than in my own country - USA- where it's assumed people are more assertive!

Jennifer Kumar

[lekden1655]

i moved to canada few months ago from bangalore. i am learning from your experiences.

[alaivani]

@lekden1655 I am happy I can share something that helps you. What in particular has been the most helpful tip from the video? What other tips not in this video have been helpful to you in adjusting to Canadian culture from India?

Jennifer Kumar, Cross-Cultural Coach

[suerayss]

As an Indian I always presume that India is the most difficult country to settle down and assimilate for outsiders. And I don't mean the people but the difficulty in having access to simple practical stuff like water, clean air or organized services. Things that can be taken for granted in other countries even lesser developed countries like say thailand or sri lanka or malaysia. India makes life very difficult for outsiders in my opinion. As an Indian I don't see it but i know outsiders who do.

[MrBart629]

Good luck, I had the shits from being there for a month been there 4 times in my life so far, I love the culture but it's so different compared to a North American atmosphere very congested and noisy but at times you'll see beautiful things I hope to go to Egypt soon love the deserts

[MrIndoCanadian]

@alaivani You can try living in mountaineous areas in India like Himachal Pradesh and so on.

[lekden1655]

@alaivani hi may i add your fb to talk more.