Culture Shock

Culture Shock: Ride the Waves

Feeling overwhelmed and disoriented upon arrival in a new country is normal, and you will probably experience the ups and downs of culture shock throughout your entire time abroad. Luckily, you are not the first to have these feelings, so there’s loads of advice out there for how to deal with culture shock during your study abroad experience.

Advice on Adjusting to Life Abroad

• Be prepared. Learn as much as you can about your host culture before departure, and be prepared to speak or answer questions about your culture.
• Start with an open mind and a positive attitude.
• Have realistic expectations about
  • Leaving your family and friends
  • Traveling independently to the host site
  • How you might feel when you arrive and for the first few days
  • Living in an unfamiliar place
  • Differences in teaching styles
  • Making new friends
  • Give yourself time to get oriented to your surroundings and new culture. It may take time and that is normal.
  • Write in a journal or blog what you observe daily. You may not understand the differences at first, but as you become accustomed to the values and lifestyle of the people, you will appreciate the culture. This is also a great way to practice self-reflection, and keep track of personal growth.
• Observe gestures and non-verbal communication, including eye contact, personal space, and touching behavior. How do people interact with each other?
• Learn what people value in their culture; their values and faith, family and socio-economic structures, how they view people from other cultures, especially Americans, etc. Perhaps you can identify with them.
• Take initiative and find ways to meet locals – don’t cocoon yourself with other American students.
  • Pick a café, restaurant, gym, or other public area and become a regular. Go multiple times and use your shared enthusiasm for something to start a conversation. Choose your perfect spot by thinking, “What kind of people hang out there? Do I have anything in common with them to talk about – sports teams, fashion trends, etc.?” Remember, at first, do not pick topics that are controversial, such as politics or the economy.
• Find your interests in your host country, i.e. listening to local music, playing a musical instrument, joining a university club or sports team, exercising, etc.
• Volunteer in the community. Ask the international office at your host university or resident director how you can get involved. This can also be a great experience to write or talk about when applying for graduate school or post-graduation employment.
• Don’t expect to feel “at home” right away. It is normal to go through a period of cross-cultural adjustment. Find ways to relieve stress by taking a break from the culture when necessary.
• Practice self-care – take care of your physical and emotional well-being. Eat well, get as much sleep as you would at home (or even more), and try to establish a daily routine as soon as you arrive, which will help with jet lag.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you find yourself in a situation that you cannot resolve on your own, seek help.
• One of the most rewarding experiences is to understand how moving between your host and own culture can shape your identity, self-perception, behavior, and worldview. Be patient, as this will not happen overnight, but with self-reflection and journaling, you will see the transformation.

Remember, it is up to you to make the most of your international experience!

More resources:

• Global Perspectives - The 4 Stages of Culture Shock
• Work the World - Why Culture Shock is Good for You
• InterNations - Culture Shock
• Go Overseas - How to Deal with Culture Shock while Studying Abroad
• Luggage and Life - 10 Tips for Dealing with Culture Shock