The reason you are going to study abroad is to experience a culture different than yours.
The way people talk, the food they eat, how they drive…it might be easier to start naming the things that will be similar than those that won’t. Your health will be affected unless you know how to deal with this psychological disorientation known as culture shock.
No matter where you study – whether you’re speaking a foreign language, being introduced into a completely new culture, or are participating in an overseas opportunity completely different from your past experiences – each student will experience culture shock differently and at different times.
What to Expect when Living Abroad
When abroad, you go through four phases:
• honeymoon
• negotiation
• adjustment
• mastery
Most study abroad students experience culture shock in the negotiation or adjustment phase.
How Do I Know If I Have Culture Shock?
Symptoms of culture shock include:
• excessive concern
• irritability
• withdrawal
• homesickness
• stereotyping
How to Overcome Homesickness
How can you deal with culture shock and keep your study abroad health in tiptop shape? Here are a few pointers:
Research your destination
Get to know where you’ll be going. Only going through tourist books might not give you a complete view of the culture you will be immersing yourself into. Health and safety depends on your ability to prepare for things being different. Seek out others who have traveled to the location you will visiting and ask as many questions as you can.
Bring a friend
Having someone who can relate to what you are going through will make it easier to deal with the culture shock. Plus, having a friend will increase your safety abroad by always having someone to look out for you. If you will be going alone and start to feel culture shock, befriend another foreigner in the county and ask how they adjusted to the new living situation.
Be sure to write
Keep in touch with people back home if you start feeling isolated. Using social media, Skype and other technologies make it easier than ever to keep in contact to your loved ones back home. Even if you couldn’t go with someone who has previously traveled to the country you are visiting, you might be able to keep in touch over the internet while you are away.
Learn the language
If you plan on studying in a destination where English isn’t the native tongue, be sure to learn the local language. There are so many reasons to learn another languages, this will really help you to integrate, make friends and enjoy the experience more. You can find classes in popular destinations around the world, here are some options:
• French classes in France
• German classes in Germany
• Spanish classes in Spain
• Portuguese classes in Portugal
• Italian classes in Italy
Be Social
Try to do as many things as possible, usually universities offer lots of events, clubs and social activities which you can sign up to. You could also try activities like volunteering to meet like-minded people.
Preparing to Come Home
After all of the time you spend getting adjusted to the country you are visiting, you may experience reverse culture shock – returning to your own country and feel the same emotions you did when you arrived to your destination.
You can adjust by:
• Reconnecting with friends from home
• Sharing experiences with relatives
• Getting together with your fellow travelers
Once you make it through any feelings of culture shock you experience, you will start to feel at home in your study abroad destination. Keep reminding yourself how much you are learning, keep your study abroad health in check and enjoy your time abroad! Everyone will experience a bit of culture shock so you are not alone. Push through it and thank yourself later.
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