When Keiko Matsubara’s family moved from Japan to Mumbai in May, they knew the transition wouldn’t be simple. A new city, a new language, and a new school system for their three children (ages 10, 7 and 4) — especially the younger two who spoke little English — felt like a steep hill to climb. “There were gestures and ways of communicating that felt unfamiliar,” says Keiko Matsubara. “In Japan, so much is understood without words. Here, you need to ask questions, provide explanations, and follow up. It took some getting used to, but we adapted.”

Cultural adaptation, emotional adjustment, climate shifts, and building relationships from scratch can overwhelm expat families. “I’ve seen families feel completely lost — from navigating the city to figuring out where to buy groceries,” says Fatema Agarkar, Educationist, School Board Advisor and Mentor to Finland International School (FIS). Her son has studied alongside international families and often heard how hard it was to break the ice. Yet, she adds, Mumbai’s melting pot spirit shines through. “It’s a city that welcomes.”