What do expats find most challenging?
We asked expats and digital nomads what they find the most challenging about the local culture in Singapore. They wrote...
"When I lived in Singapore, the most challenging aspects were leaving behind the lessons learned while in Singapore. Applying lessons learned in my daily life tended to isolate me from my core friends. They did not like the changes seen in me," said a member in Singapore, Singapore.
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"Expats in Singapore often find the local culture to be quite different from what they are used to. Many find the pace of life to be quite fast and the expectations of punctuality to be quite high. Additionally, the local culture is quite hierarchical, which can be difficult for expats to navigate. Furthermore, the local language, Singlish, can be difficult to understand and the local cuisine can be quite spicy for those not used to it," remarked another expat who made the move to Singapore.
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Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before retiring in Singapore?
- How do I meet people in Singapore?
- What is life like in Singapore?
- Is there a lot of crime in Singapore?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Singapore accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Singapore like?
- Is the cost of living in Singapore high?
- What advice do you have for expats having a baby in Singapore?
- What are healthcare services like in Singapore?
- Is the cost of living in Singapore high?
- What type of recreational facilities are in Singapore?
- What is the weather like in Singapore?
- Are there good restaurants in Singapore?
- Where will I buy groceries and do other shopping in Singapore?
- What are the visa & residency requirements in Singapore?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Singapore?
- What do I need to know when buying property in Singapore?
- Are foreigners allowed to own property in Singapore?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
What do expats find most challenging?
If you live in Singapore, newcomers to Singapore would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.