With the increasing number of multicultural people living and interacting in one city, ethnical lines are slowly blurred (or even erased entirely). However, there are certain cities around the world that are considered to be prime examples of cultural hubs. These ‘melting pots’ are perfect for those who are bilingual or multilingual, and who want to discover a variety of cultures and practice with native speakers. In addition, language lovers who enjoy learning a variety of dialects and languages in their spare time can enjoy visiting these multicultural cities:
Singapore
What Singapore lacks in size makes up for its cultural diversity that it hosts. A small island nation off the tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia, Singapore hosts 1.6 million non-residents which is almost 30% of the country’s population. Most of the ethnic groups that reside here (apart from those with Chinese origin that make up the majority of the population) include Indians, Eurasians and Malays.
Singapore is so multi-ethnic that it welcomes four official languages: Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and English. It also has a very vibrant street food scene, which makes it the perfect place to be, not only for language lovers but also for foodies.
New York City
The United States’ most populous city is also the most diverse. A popular song describes New York as a “…concrete jungle where dreams are made of” and nothing can better describe this iconic city than that line. Sure, some people describe NYC as overcrowded and expensive but the city’s charms do overpower its idiosyncrasies.
Located on the East Coast of the US, New York is a sprawling metropolis populated by locals and immigrants alike. The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs estimated that at least 36% of the city’s population account foreigners. You can expect to experience unique demographics in New York, with nationalities represented from across the globe.
Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo’s multiculturalism came from subsequent waves of immigration that started as early as the late 19th century. Because of this, the city is considered to be the most diverse, not just in Brazil, but in the entire continent of South America.
This multiculturalism is evident in the city’s religious and culinary landscape (with influences from Europe and the Middle East obviously prevalent). Even the neighborhoods themselves are ethnically diverse. Go to the Bela Vista and it’s like as if you’re standing on the streets of Paris. Go to Liberdade and it’ll feel like as if you’re in Japan.
Sydney
Often described as “Australia’s New York City,” Sydney is one of the most multicultural metropolitan cities in the world. A whopping 40% of the population comes from abroad. Walk through the streets of Sydney and you’ll find yourself hearing at least 250 languages spoken by a number of immigrants and foreigners.
Sydney is so proud of its multicultural background that it frequently hosts world events and international festivals. A popular event is Living in Harmony, a city-wide festival that celebrates Sydney’s cultural heterogenic base and lasts nearly a month.
Toronto
Toronto is often referred to as the most culturally diverse city in the world. Half of the population is born outside of Canada. This is the most number of non-locals that can be found anywhere. The neighborhoods in Toronto are look like small-scale assemblies of United Nations. You have Chinatown, Greektown, Little Italy, Little India, and a number of smaller neighborhoods that are considered home to various races and ethnic groups. Toronto’s immigrants usually come from Iran, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, China, India, Italy and the Philippines.
Dubai
Dubai is not new in the scene when we talk about which city is the most multicultural. Today’s population reveals that 84% consists of expatriates. With more than 200 nationalities, the UAE is home to thriving expatriate communities and tourists altogether. As projected, Dubai will remain the biggest city in 2030 reaching to a population of 10.6 million.
You can think of more cities that are also among the most diverse in the world. However, these six cities take the top points for multiculturalism. They are the ideal go-to places where individuals can find folks who are willing to share cultures, languages, cuisine, beliefs and celebrations. They have friendly neighborhoods and are very open to foreigners. It will just be a matter of time when you decide to settle down in these colorful multicultural cities.
Planning to visit one of these multicultural cities? Impress the locals by learning the language today.