Despite the many conveniences that come with modern travel, being a tourist can often leave a person feeling removed from the culture they are exploring. Instead, I have taken an alternative approach to my travels – living like a local. By immersing myself in the local culture, I have experienced various countries in way that offers so much more than the typical tourist experience. This article details my journey of living like a local and the invaluable lessons I have learned along the way.
1. Exploring the World as a Local
Adventurous globetrotters with a spark of rebelliousness often dream of one day being able to explore the world like a local. Imagine not having to struggle with maps, confused by foreign signs and symbols, stepping out of one’s comfort zone and experiencing the world just as a local inhabiting the city.
Roaming the streets with a sense of security and understanding, speaking the language and embracing all of the region’s eccentricities – that is travelling the world as a local. And the good news is, it is perfectly achievable. Here are a few tips on how to explore like a local.
- Get to Know the Surroundings: Roaming around and getting to know the surroundings is a great way to get to know the place better. Find out what’s nearby and get to know the kind of shops and restaurants that appeal to locals.
- Talk to the Neighbours: Seeking out like-minded people and chatting to locals is a great way to get firsthand, authentic information about a place from the people who know it best.
- Shop Around: Locals are likely to shop at different places than most tourists would. Research and discover the greatest and most authentic places to buy grocery items, souvenirs, for clothes etc.
- Engage in Local Activities: Most countries and cities have their own set of festivals and celebrations each year that are rarely known to tourists. If possible, try and attend some of them while exploring the area.
- Learn the Language: To truly feel like a local, consider learning the language. Even if you don’t become fluent, it is always beneficial to at least know some basic words and phrases.
Exploring like a local isn’t as difficult as it appears. It simply requires an open mind and an adventurous spirit. It may take some time to get accustomed to the area but it is time well spent. Furthermore, it makes travelling an all the more immersive and rewarding experience.
Don’t always do what tourists tend to do. Instead, let curiosity guide you and explore the world like a local.
2. Immersing in the Local Culture
Almost anywhere you go, it pays to understand the culture that it reflects. No matter how savvy your activities, you won’t get a real feel for the place without digging into the culture that lies beneath. Here are some ways to immerse yourself in the culture of your new destination:
- Visit Local Markets: Some of the best experiences come from wandering through the bustle and confusion of an outdoor market. People are busy cooking, trading, and gossiping, and you can pick up the rhythms of their lives. Whether it’s street food or clothing, the key is to explore with an open mind and be willing to try something new!
- Learn Local Cuisine: Food culture is a critical part of the culture at large. Whether you watch a cooking demonstration, find a local cookbook, or stop by the shops of local cooks, you’ll pick up a lot of local flavors. Expanding your palate is a great way to get to know an unfamiliar culture.
- Take a Language Class: When you’re in a place where you don’t speak the language, it’s essential to learn a few key phrases if you want to connect with the locals. Find a language class or if you can hire a tutor. Even if you never reach mastery status, a few phrases can go a long way.
- Join a Sightseeing Tour: One of the best ways to understand a new culture is to find a sightseeing tour. You’ll meet other travelers, learn the legends of the local area, and even get some shopping and restaurant recommendations from the tour guide.
- Volunteer Your Time or Skills: Volunteer work is a great way to gain an understanding of the people and culture in a new place. Use your skills to help and learn from the amazing group of locals you’ll meet. Or, if you have plenty of time, you can also find short and long term volunteer projects that allow you to get involved with the local community in a meaningful way.
Pinteresting the background behind the cuisine, researching customs, and talking to locals is a great way to affirm the unique culture in each location. By taking the initiative to observe and join in learning the local culture, you’ll gain a new perspective and a lifetime of memories.
3. Experiencing Life at Ground Level
Exploring Nature
Exploring nature at ground level offers an entirely new experience. When you look around, all that you take in is unique; different leaves, different random plants, and various wildlife in its environment. With a closer look, you can notice the small details—the delicate flower petals, the patterns of the butterfly wings — that are so easily overlooked from farther away. Remembering to appreciate the beauty of what nature has to offer can really help to clear the mind.
Appreciating Art
Seeing architecture up close is a different experience than just looking at it from afar. Wandering through a castle and taking a closer look into the intricacies of the walls or admiring at the design of a bridge can be mesmerizing. Highlighting art from society and taking a deeper dive into appreciating its beauty can offer a refreshing feeling to appreciate the structures around you.
Roam the City
Glimpsing the city from the ground provides a different view from looking at it from a high angle. On the streets, the buildings tower above you, bustling with life, while the roads wind through in seemingly complicated patterns. Cities are full of cultures and personalities, from the small shops that stand at every corner to the sound of music playing in the air. And with a closer look, every city can be explored, embraced, and appreciated.
Taste Local Cuisine
Exploring from the ground-level also allows you to try different types of food. Whether it’s an old-time restaurant in an alley or a market with a wide array of street food, there’s something for everyone. Trying out new food can be extremely rewarding. Taking a break at a local eatery with a nice view of the streets can be incredibly soothing after a busy day of exploring.
Discover Hidden Gem
When walking around and peering closer, you may come across things that are unique in their own way. Maybe a café tucked away in a corner or pieces of artwork on the walls that pass by unnoticed. There are countless interesting things to find in every city, and stumbling across these elements might just make your trip even better. Looking closely helps you appreciate all the small unusual things in the city.
4. Connecting with New People and Places
Exploring the world around us is never ending – taking us to new places on a journey of learning and understanding. Making connections with those we meet along the way is an integral part of any journey. Here are some tips on exercising your global mindset:
- Connect with locals – take the time to get to know the people natives and non-natives that are from the same area.
- Talk to strangers – don’t be afraid to strike up conversations with those you do not know, you never know what kind of knowledge and experiences they can share.
- Collaborate with people from different backgrounds – working together in new places is a great way to explore, and this will help to break down any barriers between cultures.
Making new connections by breaking down misconceptions is a powerful way to foster understanding of different countries and cultures. Travelling – whether abroad or to a city nearby – presents plenty of opportunities to connect with different cultures and people. Volunteering as well is a great way to immerse in the culture of a place and grow familiar with local customs and ways of life.
When travelling, immersion is key – give yourself permission to engage with new people in new places. Don’t be afraid to make new friends and take part in unfamiliar activities. After all, that’s the beauty of travelling and exploring. By keeping an open mind and engaging with different cultures, your global mindset can be further developed.
Living like a local was the most enlightening, eye-opening and rewarding experience I have ever had. Experiencing foreign cultures and immersing myself in them has been an unforgettable journey. I’m leaving with a deeper understanding of each culture and the people in it, having shared a part of their existence. Although the world is incredibly vast, I am taking with me a piece of each place I visited and will keep this knowledge close to my heart.