"It was Ramadan, and in Zanzibar - outside the tourist area - this meant closed restaurants, shuttered groceries, and recommendations to refrain from even drinking water in public until after dark. The cultural norms, so normal for our hosts and neighbors, were way out of our comfort zone and, unfortunately, our realm of understanding. Still, my family of four made it our mission to connect with our Tanzanian neighbors."
"When we first moved to Tanzania, we reached out to people to ask questions about lifestyle, home, and community. It still wasn't enough. This time we will be asking even more. We have already connected with Portuguese and expat friends. We found others who had lived in Tanzania before, as well as a Portuguese real estate agent. My partner has an "auntie" in Portugal, whom she knows through her grandmother, and now this auntie has become our local host as we navigate the newness of Lisbon."
My family moved from Texas to Tanzania ten years ago and experienced significant cultural shock while learning language and customs. During Ramadan in Zanzibar the family encountered closed businesses and strict public norms that were outside their comfort and understanding. The family committed to connecting with Tanzanian neighbors and settled in Dar es Salaam, where adapting to a new culture took eleven years. A new opportunity in Portugal prompted grief for the former home and hope for the future, and the family plans to apply lessons learned. The first lesson emphasized asking questions and seeking help through local and expat connections.
Read at Business Insider
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