Cultural Adjustment

To make the most of your experience, follow these recommendations.

Be Open-Minded:

• Don’t expect to find things as you have them at home;
• You will encounter systems, attitudes and people that you do not understand or agree with.  You may feel annoyed, frustrated, angry or amused.  Try to see things through their eyes.
• Do not judge the people of a country by one person or one experience;
• Make yourself aware, and be respectful, of any obvious culture differences;
• Keep a sense of humor about yourself and the situation;
• Keep in mind that most people only DREAM about having this experience.

Get Involved:

• Take up offers of friendship and other opportunities - you might not be invited a second time;
• Take up a new sport or interest.
• Travel - it’s no doubt one of the reasons you came abroad.  However, be sure to spend some weekends in your host city to get a feel for your new home.  Traveling too much doesn’t allow you to become immersed in your host culture.
•  Make use of your host university’s support system; i.e. student affairs, study abroad office;
• Stay in touch with family and friends.

Culture shock is the confusion, anxiety and irritability that often results from time spent in a new culture, paired with isolation from the home culture.  It is to be expected, so don’t worry if and when it happens to you!  Many students are surprised by how homesick they feel in their first few weeks overseas.  It can be quite stressful getting used to interacting in a new language, not being able to go home for the weekend and getting used to the often less personal academic environment of the bigger universities.

In actual fact, culture shock is an important step in adjusting to, and understanding, the new culture.  In most cases getting over it is simply a matter of time and nothing to worry about.  Although there is no "best way" to deal with culture shock - it always depends on the individual - preparation and a good sense of humor and perspective will certainly go a long way.  Following the advice given in Making The Most Of Your Experience will also help you considerably.

Initial Euphoria

Excitement experienced upon arrival and for initial days.

Irritability

Frustration from differences experienced in the host city and challenges adapting to a new way of life.  The tendency exists to only associate with other Americans.

Gradual Adjustment

The culture slowly becomes familiar and you become accustomed to new cultural norms.

Adaptation and Biculturalism:

You now function comfortably in your host land and may even feel that you are a part of the new culture.

Re-Entry Phase

The realization when you return home that you have changed.  This is often a change that family and friends do not understand (so get them to study abroad too...)

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