When People Move to Another Country, Some of Them Decide to Follow the Customs of the New Country - IELTS Band 9 Sample Essays

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Model Essay 1

Relocating to a foreign country often compels individuals to decide whether to assimilate into the host society’s customs or preserve the traditions of their homeland. While both approaches offer certain benefits, I contend that embracing the customs of the new country yields greater advantages overall. This is primarily because cultural adaptation facilitates social integration and economic mobility, although maintaining one’s heritage can safeguard identity and emotional stability.

Adopting the customs of the host nation significantly enhances social cohesion and professional prospects. When newcomers align themselves with local norms—such as communication styles, workplace etiquette, and social conventions—they reduce the risk of cultural misunderstandings and marginalisation. For instance, an immigrant who learns to navigate indirect communication patterns in a Western corporate environment is more likely to build rapport with colleagues and secure promotions. Beyond the workplace, participation in national festivals or community traditions fosters a sense of belonging and mutual trust. Such integration not only broadens social networks but also signals respect for the host society, which can mitigate prejudice. In this sense, adaptation functions as a pragmatic strategy for long-term stability and upward mobility.

Nevertheless, retaining one’s original customs can provide psychological resilience and intergenerational continuity. Cultural practices, including language, cuisine, and religious rituals, anchor individuals to their identity and offer comfort amid the disorientation of migration. A family that continues celebrating its traditional holidays, for example, preserves a shared narrative that strengthens familial bonds and prevents cultural erosion among children. Moreover, multicultural societies often benefit from such diversity, as the coexistence of varied traditions enriches the social fabric. However, if preservation becomes rigid isolation—where immigrants disengage from mainstream society—it may inadvertently restrict social interaction and economic advancement.

In conclusion, although maintaining one’s native customs can nurture identity and emotional well-being, adapting to the traditions of the host country confers more substantial and pragmatic benefits. By promoting integration, social acceptance, and career progression, cultural assimilation ultimately offers immigrants a more secure and prosperous future.

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Model Essay 2

In an era of unprecedented global mobility, migrants frequently confront a dilemma: whether to assimilate into the cultural practices of their host nation or to preserve the traditions of their country of origin. Although conformity to local customs may appear conducive to smoother adjustment, I argue that retaining one’s own cultural heritage offers more enduring advantages. This essay will examine the rationale behind assimilation before demonstrating why cultural preservation ultimately proves more beneficial.

Those who advocate adopting the customs of the host country argue that it accelerates social acceptance and minimises cultural friction. By mirroring local behavioural norms—such as modes of dress, gender dynamics, or attitudes towards authority—newcomers may avoid social alienation and negative stereotyping. For example, an immigrant who quickly internalises the informal communication style of a Scandinavian workplace might integrate more seamlessly into collaborative projects. Furthermore, visible conformity can signal loyalty to the host society, potentially reducing xenophobic suspicion. However, this approach often entails a subtle erosion of authenticity. When individuals suppress deeply rooted values merely to conform, integration becomes performative rather than genuine, fostering internal conflict and a fragmented sense of self. In extreme cases, such assimilation may create intergenerational tensions, as children detach from ancestral roots without fully belonging to the dominant culture either.

By contrast, preserving one’s own customs cultivates psychological integrity and strengthens social pluralism, which I believe confers greater long-term advantages. Cultural continuity provides migrants with a coherent identity framework, enabling them to navigate unfamiliar environments without relinquishing their moral compass. For instance, maintaining native languages at home not only enhances cognitive development in bilingual children but also fortifies familial cohesion across generations. Moreover, societies that accommodate diverse traditions tend to become more innovative and intellectually dynamic, as heterogeneous perspectives challenge entrenched assumptions. Rather than impeding integration, confident cultural retention can facilitate more meaningful intercultural dialogue, because individuals who are secure in their identities engage with others from a position of mutual respect rather than insecurity. Thus, preservation fosters both personal stability and societal enrichment.

In summary, while adopting host-country customs may ease initial adjustment and reduce social friction, it risks undermining authenticity and cultural continuity. Preserving one’s heritage, by contrast, sustains psychological coherence and contributes to a genuinely pluralistic society. Therefore, maintaining one’s own customs offers more profound and sustainable advantages for both migrants and their adopted communities.

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