According to the study, creativity levels were unlikely to be high in people who had travelled abroad for a short period of time, or who had not attempted to adapt to the culture they were living in. But creativity was far more prominent in people who had made efforts to learn the language of their new home.
The above is an excerpt from an article in an online newspaper.
Yes indeed, the article does say that Ex-pats become more creative if they move to LIVE in a new country.
I didn't have to learn a 'whole new language' when I moved to Canada 28 years ago. I did, however, have to learn a few new words:
English:Canadian&American dictionary
vest = undershirt
waistcoat = vest
underwear = pants
pants = trousers
biscuits = cookies
scones = biscuits
jumper = sweater
pinafore dress = jumper
toilet = washroom
turnip = rutabaga
handbag = purse
purse = wallet
bonnet(car) = hood
boot(car) = trunk
mobile(phone) = cell(phone)
chips = fries
crisps = chips
headmaster/mistress = principal
pavement = sidewalk
road = pavement
AND MANY MANY MORE - Conversations can be amusing at times.
As for adjusting to new customs:
Children's parties in Canada do not include, jelly and custard, fairy-cakes, sausage rolls, sausages and cheese on sticks, chocolate fingers and birthday cake.
Children's parties in Canada do include, hotdogs, hamburgers or pizza.
Families usually get to enjoy the birthday cake and ice-cream...at least in the part of Canada I live, with the people I know.
Adult parties - well, we always seem to end up with more booze at the end that the amount we started out with. Most people bring their own 'favourites' and leave leftovers when they leave the party.
They have 'Baby Showers' 'Engagement Showers' 'Wedding Showers' etc. so there is a hell of a lot of 'gift giving'.
Buck and Doe parties for couples getting married, which you BUY tickets to.....the 'party' is paid for out of this and the leftover money goes to the 'bride and groom' to be.
Children here GRADUATE from Kindergarten in most schools I've worked in....
Many children get 'paid' for the 'A's they receive on their report cards. Some get gifts when they move on to the next grade (from their family members).
The above 'customs' still remain 'alien' to me after 28 years.
In Canada children are said to 'know their alphabet' if they can SING the ABC song. (They don't need to recognize the letters the actual letters of the alphabet to get rounds of applause.).
It IS customary to have 'visitations' for people who have died- open coffins - which I had to get used to.
As far as becoming MORE creative is concerned....I HAVE been able to enjoy having the confidence to get myself 'out there' painting murals on children's bedroom walls, painting scenes on windows of stores and homes. Starting my own Private Tutoring business in my home. Co-ordinating the Adult Literacy Programme and going out to do Public Speaking to raise awareness and raise funds for the agency.
I even took adult tapdancing and jazzdancing. Performed in annual recitals with my daughters (separate numbers)...joined a nearby amateur dramatics group and was on stage in a number of their productions, plus I got to paint a backdrop at the theatre for one play I was in, "The Importance Of Being Esarners (Miss Prism) and 3 backdrops for our local schools Operattas over the years.
I live in a very small town (a big fish in a small pool) wheras in England I lived in a much bigger town (a little fish in a very big pool). This is probably the reason I've succeeded to 'push myself' to become 'involved over here.
Had I moved to a city like Toronto...I don't even know if I would have stayed here. most likely not.
The article gave me food for thought.
Are there any other Ex-pats writing 'here' who've had similar experiences I wonder.
