Living in Another Culture

Reading

Moving to another country is one of the most challenging and rewarding things a person can do. I know this from personal experience — I moved from Brazil to Japan two years ago.

The first few months were the hardest. Everything was unfamiliar: the language, the food, the social customs. In Japan, there are many unwritten rules about behaviour. For example, you should never stick your chopsticks upright in rice, and you must take off your shoes before entering a house.

Language was my biggest obstacle. Even simple tasks like buying groceries or asking for directions felt like enormous challenges. I enrolled in a Japanese class and practiced every day with my neighbours.

Gradually, things got easier. I made friends at work and joined a local sports club. I discovered that Japanese people, once you get past the initial formality, are incredibly warm and helpful.

The most surprising thing was how living abroad changed my perspective on my own culture. I started to appreciate things about Brazil I had taken for granted — the warmth of family gatherings, the spontaneity of daily life, the rhythm of samba.

Cultural exchange works both ways. My Japanese colleagues are fascinated by Brazilian cuisine and music. I’ve taught several of them to make feijoada, and they’ve introduced me to the art of making traditional Japanese pottery.

Living in another culture isn’t always comfortable, but it expands your world in ways nothing else can.

Key Vocabulary

Word	Type	Meaning
culture	n.	beliefs, customs and way of life
obstacle	n.	something that blocks your way
perspective	n.	way of thinking about something
appreciate	v.	understand the value of
tradition	n.	custom passed down over time

Comprehension Questions

1. Where did the writer move from and to?
2. What was the biggest challenge?
3. How did living abroad change the writer?
4. What cultural exchange happened at work?