Living life in another country can be an adventurous journey. It’s a new environment, new culture and new people. Love has no boundaries, and the same can be said about foreigners. We might match with someone that could become our potential soul mate.
Cross-cultural relationships can bring spice into our lives, but at the same time, they can bring up some unique challenges too. Being from different cultures, both of you will have differences in the way you perceive different things in life. But, before you take the big step of marriage, let’s take a look at five things about cross-cultural relationships that you should seriously consider.
1. Religious differences
Religious beliefs are something that are implanted in us from a very early age. Religion is a complete code and conduct for living your life. Often, people in foreign countries don’t share the same beliefs, and this can create problems.
Are your beliefs compatible with each other? For example, a Christian and an Atheist will both have completely different perspectives at how they look at life. Are you willing to give up some rituals and creeds to make your partner happy? Having religious compatibility will work well in the long run. Otherwise, it might create conflicts.
2. Relationships and Relatives
There can be no doubt in your love for your partner and vice versa. You two might get along pretty well, but the same cannot be said about both of your families. Your families and relatives might have different views about your cross-cultural relationships.
Depending on how diverse your culture is from each other, both of you might face serious difficulties adjusting to each other’s classes. Take a moment and think if you and your family can easily handle the change. Knowing how well you get together with each other’s families can create a massive difference in how your relationship proceeds in the future.
3. Language and Culture
Language is perhaps the most essential part of communication. Learning a new language can be challenging, especially if you have to speak it every day and every time. You could face issues in everyday life such as not completely understanding each other’s humour.
Not having a full grip on language can create misunderstandings that can lead to conflict. Similarly, it can be frustrating to speak a different language as compared to what you used your whole previous life. It can also create alienation when meeting your partner’s friends and family.
4. Homesickness
Living with your partner in a foreign country, you might have to give up on your previous lifestyle completely. You have to adapt to new things and new ways of living your life. This is, by no means, an easy task, and you will have to face with homesickness.
You might have to give up on food, music, cultural practices, family and friends. You will miss your previous lifestyle and the way things used to be. You might be isolated and lonely at times because you’re far from your roots.
5. Lifestyle Disagreements
Lifestyle differences are involved in daily life, and they are not a one-time thing. Your partner might be used to drinking and alcohol consumption, while you may not share the same taste. Your diets may vary significantly. The way you spend your money and how much you spend can also differ exceedingly.
The same can be said about clothing and how your partner meets and maintains relationships with other people of the opposite gender. How do they manage chores? Can your partner be a housewife while you work, or does she look at things differently? Compatibility issues in lifestyle might create conflicts in the long run.
Conclusions
Having a cross-cultural relationship can both make and break your life. It’s a decision that you should take only after thinking every aspect thoroughly. Relationships, lifestyle, religion, language, philosophies of life, can you both manage these in the long run? Looking at these factors above will help you reason about your situation and decide whether this cross-cultural relationship make your life better, or worse.
