What do expats find most challenging?
We asked expats and digital nomads what they find the most challenging about the local culture in Brazil. They wrote...
"The language and they are also very isolated. All the newspapers and TV talk about Brazil and Brazil, not much about the rest of the world problems," remarked another expat who made the move to Sao Paulo, Brazil.
"A common challenge that expats in Brazil face is the language barrier. Despite the widespread use of the Portuguese language, many Brazilians also speak their own local dialects, making it difficult for those just beginning to learn the language. Additionally, Brazilian culture has a strong emphasis on maintaining relationships and an intricate system of protocols and etiquette rules, which can be confusing and difficult to navigate for those unfamiliar with local norms. Additionally, Brazilians value harmony and tranquillity, while expats coming from outside cultures may be less familiar with this emphasis on peace and group concord, resulting in clashes and misunderstandings within conversations," explained one expat living in Brazil.
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Oliveira LawyersOliveira Lawyers is the foremost Brazilian law firm dedicated to representing the interests of foreign citizens in Brazil. From immigration to real estate and other life events, our bilingual attorneys got you covered! Main services include immigration, real estate, notary services, tax services, collections, family law, and litigation.
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What do expats find most challenging?
If you live in Brazil, newcomers to Brazil 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.