Relocating to a new country can be one of the most exciting and transformative experiences in life. Whether you’re moving for work, education, or personal reasons, the chance to live in a different part of the world opens the door to new opportunities, landscapes, and ways of thinking. However, the true success of any relocation often hinges on a factor that is less discussed but crucial: cultural integration.  

According to Lucy Foster (Global Account Manager at IMPACT Group) - “professional and personal cultural integration is often interlinked, and both need to be addressed when determining relocation success for individuals and workers.” So even if you are moving for professional purposes, cultural integration on a personal level is equally important. They have also seen this topic becoming more important in the last 5 years, especially among the younger generation who are often more conscious about diversity and inclusion. This includes adapting to others in different countries and having less interest in top-down hierarchy at work.   

Cultural integration is the process of adapting to and becoming part of the social fabric of a new country, while still preserving your own identity and values. It’s about more than learning the local language or following the rules. It’s about understanding the deeper layers of the society you’re entering—its customs, values, and ways of life. This process can make the difference between feeling like a visitor and truly feeling at home. For many, issues arise during relocation because they underestimate cultural differences. Below are some reasons why it’s so important and how it can enhance your relocation experience. 

1. Building Connections and Community 

When you relocate to another country, you’re often leaving behind a familiar support system of friends, family, and colleagues. Cultural integration helps fill that gap by opening doors to meaningful relationships in your new environment. By learning about local customs, holidays, and social etiquette, you can connect with your neighbors and coworkers on a deeper level. Whether it’s participating in a local festival or simply understanding the unspoken rules of politeness, these small steps can make a huge difference in building a sense of belonging. 

For example, in Japan, it’s customary to remove your shoes before entering someone’s home. Understanding and respecting such practices, however minor they may seem, can earn you goodwill and strengthen your relationships in the community. Over time, these bonds create a network of social support that can ease the transition to a new life. 

2. Enhancing Your Professional Success

If your relocation is tied to a new job or career opportunity, cultural integration plays a key role in your professional success. Every country has its own workplace culture, and adapting to it is essential for thriving in your new position. This can involve anything from understanding how hierarchy works in the workplace, to recognizing the appropriate communication style, or even knowing how to navigate business etiquette during meetings. 

For example, in some countries like Germany, punctuality and directness are highly valued in professional settings. In contrast, in other cultures, such as in Latin America, a more flexible approach to time and a focus on personal relationships are prioritized. Being attuned to these cultural nuances can help you navigate professional relationships more effectively and avoid misunderstandings. 

3. Gaining a New Perspective

Living in a different country exposes you to new ways of thinking and viewing the world. This is one of the most enriching aspects of relocating, but it also requires a willingness to open your mind to new perspectives. Cultural integration helps you see beyond surface-level differences and appreciate the deeper values that shape a society. 

For instance, in Scandinavian countries, the concept of “Janteloven” emphasizes humility and equality, discouraging individual boasting. This cultural mindset affects how people interact in everyday life, with a focus on communal well-being rather than individual achievement. Understanding such cultural values helps you navigate social situations with greater sensitivity and can change the way you perceive your own cultural norms. 

4. Reducing Culture Shock

One of the biggest challenges for anyone relocating abroad is managing culture shock—the feelings of disorientation or discomfort that arise from encountering unfamiliar customs and lifestyles. Culture shock can manifest in many ways, from frustration over language barriers to confusion about social cues. 

By actively working to integrate into the local culture, you can mitigate the intensity of culture shock. Learning about the host country’s traditions, history, and social norms before and after your move can help ease the transition. Additionally, participating in local activities, trying regional foods, and engaging in community events allows you to experience the culture first-hand, making it feel less foreign and more familiar over time. 

5. Personal Growth and Resilience

Cultural integration is not always an easy process, but the challenges it presents can lead to significant personal growth. The ability to adapt to a new environment, navigate complex social situations, and thrive in a foreign culture builds resilience and broadens your worldview. You’ll find yourself becoming more adaptable, empathetic, and open-minded—not just in your new country, but in life as well. 

Each time you step outside of your comfort zone to learn something new about your host country, you’re also learning something new about yourself. This experience shapes you into a more versatile and globally minded individual, which can have lasting benefits in both your personal and professional life. 

6. Contributing to a More Harmonious Society

Cultural integration isn’t just beneficial on an individual level, it also contributes to a more inclusive and harmonious society. When newcomers take the time to understand and respect local customs, it fosters mutual respect between immigrants and locals. This, in turn, reduces tensions and promotes social cohesion. 

Moreover, cultural integration doesn’t mean giving up your own cultural identity. Rather, it’s about finding a balance between maintaining your traditions and embracing those of your new environment. In this way, you can contribute to the rich diversity of your new home, bringing fresh perspectives while also respecting the existing cultural landscape. 

Cultural Integration Impact  

Before we dive into some quantitative views on how important cultural integration is on the quality of life for people relocating to other countries, we illustrate below a couple of real-life case study examples of how poor cultural integration can affect not only the relocating employee, but also their family and the sponsoring company as well. 

Case Study 1 

Expats and their Families move to a Company’s Headquarters in Switzerland 

• Employee turnover was high, resulting in staff leaving within 2-3 years. 

• They discovered that the turnover was largely due to the employees’ spouses not being able to adapt to the Swiss city. 

• The company then enlisted the help of coaching services for these spouses in order to help them integrate better and reduce the turnover of its employees. 

Case Study 2 

Foreign Expat from South America Joins a Company based in Moscow 

• A new hire moved from South America to a Moscow based company. He was the only foreigner in that office and did not have any language or cultural training. 

• The company organised all his relocation needs – housing, schooling for his children, visas etc... All the essential practical requirements for an expat move were provided. 

• With a lack of training in the local culture, both at work and at a personal level, he stayed only one year at the company and quit. He found it difficult to adapt as he could not communicate and work effectively with the local staff. 

• The company’s investment in the new hire is wasted and they have to spend more money to recruit someone new and conduct the entire relocation process again. 

These are only two examples out of many that are not publicized. You can imagine the financial loss for organisations when they spend a significant amount relocating valued employees or new hires to work productively for them. With employees quitting due to failed cultural integration in their new countries, the cost is not only the amounts spent on airfare, housing, visas etc. it is also the time spent from your HR staff and recruiters hiring and training new hires as well as helping with the relocation process. 

By The Numbers – The Importance of Cultural Integration 

While instinctively we can all see how the concept of cultural integration could facilitate happier relocated employees and families, let’s not just rely on instinct. Below are several responses from surveys of expats and their families indicating how important being truly integrated in a new country is to finding genuine happiness and satisfaction and most importantly, the desire to stay in their new countries. 

Personal and Family Integration 

• According to a study by the Expat Explorer Survey from HSBC, 71% of expats who adapt to local culture enjoy a better quality of life than those who do not integrate.
• In the Expat Insider 2021 Survey, 54% of respondents stated that understanding the local language and culture made it easier to build friendships with locals, enhancing their sense of belonging.
• For families, the cultural integration of children plays a crucial role in relocation success. The School Choice International Survey found that 83% of parents say that their children’s ability to integrate into the new culture and educational system is a top priority in their decision to relocate.
• 90% of expatriate families report that successful integration of children into local schools positively impacts their own integration experience and emotional well-being.

Career Integration 

• The Global Relocation Trends Survey shows that cultural integration is critical to professional success abroad, with 67% of HR managers identifying cultural adaptation as one of the main factors affecting expatriate performance.
• Research from Brookfield Global Relocation Services indicates that 50% of failed expatriate assignments are due to the inability of the individual or their family to integrate into the host country’s culture.

Last Thoughts 

Relocating to a new country is about more than just changing your address, it’s about embracing a new way of life. Cultural integration is a crucial part of this journey, offering a path to deeper connections, professional success, personal growth, and a sense of belonging in your new environment. By taking the time to learn about and adapt to your host country’s customs, you’re not only making your own relocation smoother, but you’re also contributing to a more inclusive and vibrant global community. From improving emotional well-being and fostering professional success to reducing culture shock and enhancing community engagement, cultural integration is not just beneficial but essential for a fulfilling expatriate experience. 

According to IMPACT Group, who have been providing essential cultural and career coaching services to employees, families and individuals for over 36 years – cultural coaching can be a key contributor to the success of an individual or worker’s relocation to another country. At the core of successful cultural integration, Tracy Kautzmann (Director, Global Client Relations at IMPACT Group) elaborates that “It is essentially bridging the gap and enabling people to communicate effectively – in all types of life situations. This not only includes a professional setting, but also in everyday activities, like shopping for groceries, interacting with your children’s teachers, and even visiting healthcare professionals.” 

So, as you prepare for your next adventure abroad, remember that the key to a successful relocation isn’t just in logistics—it’s in understanding and embracing the culture that awaits you.