Culture shock is pretty much inevitable during a year studying abroad. There will be random moments where you find yourself thinking, “Where am I? Why am I here? And why is it nothing like * insert home country here *?” There’s good news though: you’re definitely not alone, and you can overcome culture shock pretty easily.
Here are the various stages of culture shock:
#1 Initial Excitement
YAY I’M IN A NEW COUNTRY AND THIS IS SO COOL AND NEW. You’re excited. Things are interesting. It’s not too different from home… is it? Whether it takes a few days or a few weeks, it’ll eventually hit you that you’re here now, and you’re going to be here for a while.
#2 Annoyance at the little things
You’re starting to notice the differences between your home country and host country. Even the smallest of things might anger or annoy you, and make you long to be back on familiar soil.
#3 Adjustment and Acceptance
The most difficult part is over, and you’re finally starting to settle in to your new life. Things feel more normal, and you’ve become accustomed to this new culture.
#4 Adapting
You did it! Your host country now feels like your second home. Sure, you miss a few things about your true home from time to time, but in general you get what’s what, and you will probably find that you can function normally in both cultures.
Here’s a few ways to help you deal with culture shock:
Know about your new country: If you’ve got more of an idea where you’re moving to, it will make the initial adjustment that bit easier.
Don’t avoid the new culture: Immerse yourself in it. You’ll find new food, new places and new reasons to celebrate. Get involved with every aspect.
Stay in touch: You’ve got to find the right balance when contacting those back home. Not enough and you’ll miss them, too much and you’ll miss them even more. With things like Facetime and Skype, it’s easy to stay in touch when abroad.
Explore: The moments that will make you forget what culture shock even is, is when you’re really exploring the new place you’ve moved to. You’re doing something that is – sorry for the cliché – a once in a lifetime opportunity. Not many people can say they’ve done the same.
Live this year abroad to the fullest: I had to keep telling myself that what I was missing from home wasn’t an exact representation of it. You’ll be remembering the amazing parts, sure, but it isn’t perfect and it isn’t realistic. Remember, you’re abroad for a reason – make the most of it.
Edited by Toni Moy
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