The survey found, expats experience different milestones on their path to feeling like locals. In Bahrain, 51 percent said making friends and developing an active social life played the greatest part in establishing a connection with their host country. While 37 percent of expats said it was knowing their family were enjoying life in their new country.
Starting to understand the local culture and etiquette, and successfully using the local language were also identified as key milestones in an expats journey to making their host country feel like home.
66 percent of expats who moved to Bahrain felt at home within a year, making it the most welcoming place in the world followed by 63 percent in India and 61 percent in Malaysia.
In Bahrain 47 percent of expats said that they felt at home instantly or in less than six months followed by 43 percent in Malaysia and 42 percent in Mexico.
Older expats find it easier to settle in. 35 percent of those over 55 years old said their host country felt like home within six months, compared to 33 percent of 18 to 34 year olds and 29 percent of 35 to 54 year olds.
