What do expats find most challenging?

We asked expats and digital nomads what they find the most challenging about the local culture in Kenya. They wrote...

"Expats in Kenya often find the local culture to be quite different from their own, which can be challenging to adjust to. Many expats find the pace of life in Kenya to be slower than what they are used to, which can be difficult to adjust to. Additionally, the language barrier can be a challenge for expats, as English is not widely spoken in Kenya. Furthermore, the local customs and traditions can be difficult to understand and navigate for expats, as they are often quite different from what they are used to. Finally, the lack of infrastructure and resources can be a challenge for expats, as it can make it difficult to access basic services," said a member in Kenya.

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"A person learn to trust friendly people faster and tend to accept customs as a given. What caught me off guard is that the Kenyan culture has a very strong emphasis on good interpersonal relationships to the point where you will be extremely friendly with the person you are lying to and that you are in the process of deceiving. I found it difficult to learn not to trust a person just because he/she is friendly and apparently sharing as it took me a knock or two to realize the depth of receipt the friendly people are capable off. Corruption is everywhere and only power and money controls it," remarked another expat who made the move to Nairobi, Kenya.

What do expats find most challenging?

If you live in Kenya, newcomers to Kenya would love to hear your answer to this question.